Montserrat - History, Politics, Parishes, Geography, Economy, Famous Montserratians, Demographics, Culture, Miscellaneous topics, Operation Montserrat

(UK British Overseas Territory)

Portions of the summary below have been contributed by Wikipedia.

Timezone GMT - 4 Area 106 km²/41 sq mi Population (1997e) 11 000 (pre-disaster), (2002e) 4000 Capital Plymouth (abandoned in 1997), new buildings at Brades Estate, NW Montserrat Physical features Volcanic island in the Leeward Is, E Caribbean; mountainous, heavily forested; highest point, Chance's Peak, 914 m/3000 ft; seven active volcanoes. Climate Tropical climate, with low humidity; average annual rainfall 1500 mm/60 in; hurricanes occur (Jun-Nov). Currency 1 East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) = 100 cents Economy Tourism (accounts for 25% of national income); cotton, peppers, livestock, electronic assembly, crafts, rum distilling, postage stamps. GDP (2002e) $29 mn, per capita $3400 History Visited by Colombus, 1493; colonized by English and Irish settlers, 1632; plantation economy based on slave labour; British Crown Colony, 1871; joined Federation of the West Indies, 195862; island severely damaged by hurricane Hugo, 1989; half the island, including the capital, destroyed by eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano, June 1997; 8000 people left the island, with returnees (from 1998) limited by lack of housing; British sovereign represented by a Governor, with an Executive Council and a Legislative Council.

Montserrat


Flag	Coat of arms

Motto: Each Endeavouring, All Achieving

Anthem: God Save the Queen

Capital

Plymouth1

Official language

English

Government

Overseas territory of the U.K.

- Queen

Elizabeth II

- Governor

Deborah Barnes-Jones

- Chief Minister

Lowell Lewis

Non-sovereign

Overseas territory of the U.K.

- British control

1632

Area

- Total

102 km² (219th)
39 sq mi

- Water (%)

Negligible

Population

- July 2005 estimate

4,488 2 (225th)

- Density

44/km² (153rd)
114/sq mi

GDP (PPP)

2002 estimate

- Total

$29 million (not ranked)

- Per capita

$3,400 (2002 est.) (not ranked)

HDI (2003)

n/a (unranked) (n/a)

Currency

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Time zone

(UTC-4)

Internet TLD

.ms

Calling code

+1-664

1.) Abandoned in 1997 gov't buildings currently at Brades;

Montserrat is one relatively few colonies still in the British Empire.

History

Montserrat was populated by Arawak and Carib peoples when it was claimed by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage for Spain in 1493, naming the island 'Santa María de Montserrat'.

With the advent of Beatles producer George Martin’s AIR Studios Montserrat in the 1970s, the island attracted world-famous musicians who came to record in the peace and quiet and lush tropical surroundings of Montserrat.

In July 1995, Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano, dormant throughout recorded history, rumbled to life and began an eruption which eventually buried the island's capital, Plymouth, in more than 40 feet (12 m) of mud, destroyed its airport and docking facilities, and rendered the southern half of the island uninhabitable, forcing more than half of the population to flee the island owing to lack of housing.

Politics

Montserrat is a British overseas territory (formerly a crown colony).

The current Chief Minister of the island is Lowell Lewis, of the Montserrat Democratic Party, replacing the outgoing Chief Minister, John Osborne of the New People's Liberation Party.

Parishes

Main article: Parishes of Montserrat

Montserrat is divided into three parishes:

Saint Anthony Parish Saint Georges Parish Saint Peter Parish

Geography

Main article: Geography of Montserrat

The island of Montserrat is located approximately 480 km (300 miles) East-Southeast of Puerto Rico and 48 km (30 miles) Southwest of Antigua.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Montserrat

It was formerly the home of a branch of George Martin's AIR Studios (and other amenities) that made the island popular with working and vacationing musicians and other celebrities.

Famous Montserratians

Arrow:

Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell MBE born in Montserrat is most well known for his Soca song "hot hot hot".

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Montserrat

Culture

Main article: Culture of Montserrat

See also: music of Montserrat

Miscellaneous topics

Communications in Montserrat Transport in Montserrat Radio Antilles

Operation Montserrat

Currently, American middle school students are eligible to participate in an Operation Montserrat live simulation.