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Montserrat
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Capital: Plymouth
Population: 4,989
Brief History of Montserrat:
Montserrat is an island nations located in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. The original inhabitants were the Arawak and the Carib peoples. The first European to arrive was Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to the New World in 1493. Columbus named the island after the Virgin Mary and the Monastery of Montserrat.
The British gained control of the island when a group of Irish settled the island. African slaves were imported to work the land and the island cultivated sugar, rum, and cotton. Slavery was abolished in 1834. Today Montserrat is a British overseas territory.
In 1995 the island was devastated by the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Two-thirds of eth population fled the island during the eruption. Since then more volcanic activity has occurred.
The Geography of Montserrat
Total Size: 102 square km
Size Comparison: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Geographical Coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Geographical Low Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (200
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Major cities:
The People of Montserrat
Type of Government: NA
Languages Spoken: English
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National Holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Nationality: Montserratian(s)
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
National Symbol:
National Anthem or Song: note:?as a territory of the United Kingdom, God Save the Queen is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy of Montserrat
Major Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Agricultural Products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Natural Resources: NEGL
Major Exports: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle
Major Imports: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
National GDP: $43,780,000
** Source for population (2012 est.) and GDP (2011 est.) is CIA World Factbook.
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