Capital
Plymouth (de jure)
Braids (de facto)
Montserrat is a small, picturesque island located in the Caribbean Sea, known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Montserrat is referred to as the “Emerald Isle,” for its lush green hills, dramatic coastlines, and a rich volcanic landscape, shaped by the eruption of Soufrière Hills in the 1990s.
Montserrat is one of the youngest islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. It is less than 10 miles long, by 6 miles wide with half of the islands area closed off due to past volcanic activity, known as the “exclusion zone”.
During its highpoint in the 1950’s, Montserrat had a population of over 12,000. Today, the population is one-third of that, sitting at just over 4,000 residents. Most of the population departed following the 1995 eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano.
With its warm climate and welcoming atmosphere, Montserrat remains a hidden gem for those seeking adventure and tranquility in the Caribbean. If your idea of vacation is unlimited chain restaurants, high-rise resorts and clubs open until sunrise, Montserrat is not for you. While there is some nightlife, particularly in Brades, the majority of the activities end by 10:00 PM.
The people of Montserrat are the core of why the island remains “the Caribbean as it used to be”. You will not pass someone on the street or in a market that doesn’t say good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. They will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and make sure your experience is a great one.
And the views! They don’t stop giving either. We always joke that on Montserrat, even the gas station has a great view.
The national dish of Montserrat is goat water. Goat water is a Caribbean stew of peppers, herbs, cloves, onions and of course, goat meat.
As a British Overseas Territory, the defense of Montserrat falls under the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The home defense force for the island is handled by the Royal Montserrat Defence Force, which has been in existence since 1899.
Police services for the island are handled by the Royal Montserrat Police Service, which until 1967 was part of the Leeward Island Police Force which maintained police services for the seven British territories in the Caribbean. Montserrat is consistently ranked as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, with its last homicide recorded more than two decades ago. There is also zero history of gang violence, gun violence, public assaults or any street-level violence.
Plymouth (de jure)
Braids (de facto)
United Kingdom (British Overseas Territory)
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC)
4,375
Types A & B
GMT – 4 (Atlantic Standard Time)
+1-664
English
120v
Left
Red Heliconia
Hairy Mango
Motherland (wikipedia)