Montserrat is divided into 3 parishes, which constitute the only level of administrative subdivision in this British Overseas Territory. The parishes—Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, and Saint Peter—serve as the primary units for organizing local governance, though much of the territory's administration is centralized at the national level due to Montserrat's small size and population. These divisions historically facilitated the delivery of religious and civil services, and today they remain relevant for statistical purposes, census data collection, and organizing emergency services. Following the devastating volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995, which rendered the southern portion of the island uninhabitable, administrative functions have become concentrated in the northern parishes. While parishes do not operate independent local governments with elected officials, they provide a geographic framework for coordinating public services, infrastructure projects, and disaster management efforts across the accessible parts of the island.