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Description
Montserrat has experienced a
period of volcanic activity but this appears to have calmed.
Tourism on the island continues to rebound and grow. The
island is still a place of beauty and a choice destination
for many.
Montserrat is a lush green and
mountainous island of approximately 39 square miles, and
lies in the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands, some 27
miles southwest of Antigua. Known fondly as the Emerald
Isle of the Caribbean, this pearl shaped island - 12 miles
long and 7 miles wide is situated 1,150 miles north of
the equator. The island rises in a series of dramatic
mountain slopes to the high point of over 3,000 feet at
the Soufriere in the Exclusion Zone. The islands of Redonda,
Nevis and St. Kitts in the north and west, Guadeloupe
to the south and Antigua to the northwest can be seen
from the various points on the island.
Background
Montserrat was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493,
and it was named Montserrat for the mountain monastery
in Spain. The island was colonized by Irish settlers in
1632, but the French took possession of it twice in 1664-68
and in 1782-84. A British crown colony since 1871, Montserrat
gave up attempts to federate with other islands in 1966.
 The volcano in the southern mountains
became active in 1995, reaching its height in 1997 when
Plymouth (the capital), as well as all southern and eastern
villages, was destroyed. Residents of these areas were
relocated to the north, while many migrated to Britain
and elsewhere, more than halving the population.
Around 5000 people remain and are participating in the
redevelopment of the island. Today, the volcano is still
active, but the expert team of scientists and technicians
who monitor its every move say that the risk for northern
areas is negligible. It is likely that for a while it
will continue to impact those areas already destroyed,
while causing occasional ash falls in more northern areas.
In the meantime the island is rebuilding in the north,
there's a positive and hopeful spirit, and residents are
busy getting on with their lives. Things are looking up,
and the many building and development projects funded
by Britain attest to a positive outlook for the future.
The Centre Hills in the safe north are lush and green,
and the volcano is not even visible from most areas in
the north, although it can be viewed from certain places.
There is lots to see and do in this "off the beaten
track." holiday or business destination if you choose
to look for it. So come, and see for yourself.
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