Montserrat

Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory located in the Caribbean. The island is part of the Lesser Antilles chain and the Leeward Islands. It is known for its lush green mountains, active volcano, and rich cultural heritage.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Montserrat is approximately 16 km long and 11 km wide, with approximately 40 km of coastline. The island is characterized by three major mountain ranges, the Silver Hills, Centre Hills, and Soufrière Hills. The Soufrière Hills volcano is the highest point on the island, and has been active since 1995.

History[edit | edit source]

Montserrat was first inhabited by the Arawak and Carib people. Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1493, naming it after the Montserrat monastery in Spain. The island was colonized by English and Irish settlers in 1632. In the late 18th century, Montserrat was a significant producer of sugar, rum, and sea island cotton. The abolition of slavery in 1834 led to economic decline and emigration. The island's economy revived in the 20th century with the growth of the tourist industry.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Montserrat's culture is a blend of African, Irish, and British influences. The island is known for its annual St. Patrick's Day festival, which commemorates the failed slave uprising of 1768. Montserrat is also known for its music, particularly the genre of soca.

Economy[edit | edit source]

Montserrat's economy is small and largely dependent on aid from the United Kingdom. The main sectors are construction, banking and insurance, and tourism. The eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in 1995 caused significant damage to the island's infrastructure and economy.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

The population of Montserrat is predominantly of African descent, with a small mixed-race and European minority. English is the official language. The majority of the population is Christian, with the Anglican Church being the largest denomination.

Government[edit | edit source]

Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory, with a governor appointed by the British monarch. The island has a unicameral Legislative Assembly, with members elected for five-year terms.

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v t e British Overseas Territories
Territories	Anguilla Bermuda British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Gibraltar Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Turks and Caicos Islands
Governance	British Overseas Territories Act 2002 British nationality law and the British Overseas Territories Governor (British Overseas Territories) Chief Minister (British Overseas Territories)
Geography	Geography of the British Overseas Territories List of birds of the British Overseas Territories List of mammals of the British Overseas Territories
Economy and society	Economy of the British Overseas Territories Education in the British Overseas Territories Demographics of the British Overseas Territories
Related	British Empire Commonwealth of Nations United Kingdom
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v t e Caribbean topics
General	Culture • History • Geography • Economy • Politics
Countries and territories	Antigua and Barbuda • Bahamas • Barbados • Cuba • Dominica • Dominican Republic • Grenada • Haiti • Jamaica • Saint Kitts and Nevis • Saint Lucia • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines • Trinidad and Tobago • Islands
Geography	List of Caribbean islands • Caribbean Sea • West Indies • Greater Antilles • Lesser Antilles • Leeward Islands • Windward Islands
Culture	Music • Cuisine • Literature • Art • Carnival
Economy and environment	Tourism • Agriculture • Fauna • Flora
Related topics	CARICOM • ACS • CBI • CBTPA • USCBTPA
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v t e Volcanoes
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Features	Crater Caldera Cone Fumarole Geothermal gradient Hotspot Lava dome Lava flow Lava tube Magma chamber Pyroclastic flow Solfatara Vent
Notable eruptions	1883 eruption of Krakatoa Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
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