Montserrat Island: Plymouth - the capital destroyed by a volcano. Montserrat, abandoned country Volcanic eruption on the island of Montserrat

Montserrat - country Caribbean. It is an island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico. total area state is 102 thousand km. Coastline has a length of 40 km.

Montserrat Map


Basically, the territory of the country is an island of volcanic origin, the terrain is mostly mountainous, there are areas of small coastal lowlands. The island consists of three main volcanic centers of different ages. It is famous for its coral reefs and caves that line its shores. Montserrat's climate is tropical, with slight daily or seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Montserrat, like many isolated islands, is home to some exceptionally rare species of plants and animals. Curvy rainforests and fruit trees, namely mango, papaya, coconut and banana, represent the flora of Montserrat. Bougainvillea, orchids, ferns and hibiscus also grow here. Maple, walnut, white pine and linden are also abundant on the island. Many species of land and migratory birds live within tropical forests, for example, the oriole. A huge number of species of amphibians and reptiles live on land and in the coastal waters of the island. Natural resources not found on the island.

The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The head of government is the prime minister. The Executive Council consists of the Governor, the Prime Minister, 3 ministers, the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance. The monarchy is hereditary. The governor is appointed by the monarch.

Administrative division: 3 parishes. The capital of Montserrat is Plymouth. Other big cities: Salem, Geralds, Cork Hill, St. John's Village.

The country's population is 5215 people, the predominant population is: Africans (88.4%), mixed (3.7%), Spaniards (3%), whites (2.7%), and East Indians (1.5%). The official language is English. Religion: Protestants (67.1%), Roman Catholics (11.6%), Rastafari (1.4%), others (6.5%). The average population density is approximately 126 people per square kilometer. Average age: for men - 30.9 years, for women - 31.9 years. Urban population: 14.2%. Average life expectancy: for men - 75.48 years, for women - 72.24 years. Literacy: 97% men, 97% women.

Heavy volcanic activity that began in July 1995 put a damper on the island's small, open economy. A volcanic eruption in June 1997 led to the closure of the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. The agricultural sector continues to suffer from a lack of suitable land plots for agriculture and crop destruction. The economic outlook depends largely on volcanic activity and public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabited. In January 2013, the EU announced a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat to boost the country's economic recovery and emphasize public financial management, public sector reforms and prudent economic management.

Exported goods: fish, clothing, hot peppers, cattle. Export partners: USA,

Hymn : "God save the Queen" Official language English Capital Plymouth (de jure (abandoned due to volcanic eruption))
Brades (de facto)
Largest cities Brades Form of government Constitutional monarchy, British overseas territory Queen Elizabeth II Governor Adrian Davis Prime Minister Donaldson Romeo Territory Total102 km² Population Score (2011)4922 people Density48.25 people/km² Currency East Caribbean Dollar (XCD, code 951) Internet domain .ms ISO code MS Telephone code +1-664 Timezone -4

Geography

Montserrat is an island of volcanic origin. Among its three volcanic peaks, Chance Mountain (915 m) was the highest. After the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, which began in July 1995, by 2006 the height of its lava dome reached 930 m.

Tropical rainforests have been preserved in the mountains. Streams flow from them, forming waterfalls.

Climatic conditions are favorable for human life; trade winds from the ocean moderate the heat. Sunny weather prevails with slight temperature changes throughout the year (24-27 °C). precipitation averages 1500 mm per year. Their greatest number occurs in September-November, the smallest in March-June.

Story

In ancient times, the island was inhabited by Carib Indians, who called their island “Alliuagana,” that is, “land of thorny bushes.”

Currently, entry and entry into the southern part of the island is prohibited; violators are caught and fined. The affected half of Montserrat is expected to remain uninhabited for at least another 10 years.

A major volcanic eruption occurred on July 28, 2008, with no previous activity [ ] . The ends of the pyroclastic flows reached Plymouth. The height of the eruptive column was estimated at 12 km above sea level. On February 11, 2010, the volcano's dome partially collapsed [ ] .

Political structure

British Overseas Territory. Managed by the governor.

Island on the N. arch. Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea. Discovered in 1493 by Columbus and named Montserrat in honor of the Catholic monastery of Montserrat, located on the mountain of the same name in Spain. Name from Spanish Monto Sagrado sacred mountain.… … Geographical encyclopedia

MONTSERRAT- British possession on the island of the same name, part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The territory area is 102 km2. The population (estimated for 1998) is 12,828 people, including over 1.3 thousand foreigners, average density… … Cities and countries

MONTSERRAT- (Montserrat) General information Official name Montserrat. Overseas territory Great Britain on the island of the same name in the West Indies, in the Lesser Antilles group. The total area is 102 km2, the population is 4.5 thousand people. (2001).… … Encyclopedia of countries of the world

Montserrat- island in the north of the arch. Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea. Discovered in 1493 by Columbus and named Montserrat in honor of the Catholic monastery of Montserrat, located on the mountain of the same name in Spain. Name from Spanish Monto sagrado sacred mountain... Toponymic dictionary

Montserrat- (Montserrat), a British possession on the island of the same name in the West Indies, in the Lesser Antilles group. Area 101 km2. Population 12.2 thousand people (1978). The dominant religions are Protestant and Catholic. Official language … … Encyclopedic reference book "Latin America"

Montserrat, o.- (Montserrat) Montserrat, an island in the West Indies, one of the Windward Islands; pl. 102 sq. km, 12,000 people (1988, evaluation); official language English; Ch. city ​​Plymouth. Visited by Columbus in 1493. and was named after the Benedictine... ... Countries of the world. Dictionary

- (Montserrat) an island in the West Indies, part of the Lesser Antilles; possession of Great Britain. Area 98 km2. Population 12 thousand people. (1971). Administrative center Plymouth. The main occupation of the population is the cultivation of cotton, bananas... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

- (Montserrat) is in the West Indies, a possession of Great Britain. The first Antigua stamps with the name overprinted. o va issue. in 1876. In 1880 ed. stamps with a portrait of the Queen and the title. colonies, 1917 19 military tax stamps, 1932 first commemorative stamps,... ... Large philatelic dictionary

Montserrat- 1st female name, the name is Montserrat 2nd human island in the Antillean archipelasis... Spelling dictionary of Ukrainian language

Montserrat- (Montserrat)Montserrat, mountain, in Catalonia, N.E. Spain, N.W. from Barcelona, ​​on which stands a famous Benedictine monastery, founded in the 2nd century. It is believed that the image of the Virgin Mary located in it was carved by St. Luke and brought... Countries of the world. Dictionary

Books

  • Montserrat Caballe. Casta diva, Robert Pullen, Stephen Taylor. The monograph by American authors about the world-famous Spanish diva attracts with its thoroughness, thoroughness in presenting the material, scrupulousness in collecting all kinds of...
  • Montserrat Catharsis of the Victim, Hellwald A., Khmelnitskaya T.. To cope with recently experienced stress, Montserrat Edelstahl, on the advice of a psychologist, goes to a resort in Indian Ocean. A wonderful atmosphere, imbued with romance, and next to...
Population size: 7,574 people; note: approximately 8,000 refugees fled the island after renewed volcanic activity in July 1995; some of them returned (July 2001 est.).
Age structure: under 14 years old: 23.83% (men 907; women 898); from 15 to 64 years old: 64.66% (men: 2,341; women: 2,556); over 65 years old: 11.51% (men 464; women 408) (2001 est.).
Population growth: 13.39% (2001 est.).
Fertility: 17.43 newborns/1000 people. (2001 est.).
Mortality: 7.53 deaths/1000 people (2001 est.).
Migration: 123.98 people / 1000 people (2001 est.).
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male/female; up to 15 years: 1.01 male/female; from 15 to 64 years old: 0.92 male/female; over 65 years old: 1.14 men/women; for the general population: 0.96 men/women. (2001 est.).
Infant mortality: 8.19 deaths/1000 births (2001 est.).
Life expectancy: for the general population: 78.03 years; men: 75.95 years; women: 80.22 years (2001 est.).
General birth rate: 1.82 children/wives (2001 est.).
Proportion of adults infected with HIV: no data.
Number of people infected with HIV: no data.
AIDS mortality: no data.
Nationality: noun: resident of Montserrat; adjective: Montserratian.
Ethnic groups: black, white.
Believers: Anglicans, Methodists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, and other Christian sects.
Languages): English.
Literacy: definition: persons aged 15 or over who have ever attended school; for the general population: 97%; men: 97%; women: 97% (1970 est.).

Allihuagana, Emerald Land, Caribbean Pompeii, Abandoned Country... When calling Montserrat this way, a tourist who has visited an exotic corner is not mistaken - the island actually has several names. One is official, others were inherited from the ancient Indians or appeared in modern times. What is so attractive about this region for travelers? In short, nature and history.

Montserrat on the map

Montserrat island on the world map or detailed map The islands can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-).

The land is located in the chain of the Lesser Antilles and is one of the British possessions. Its coastline is washed by the Caribbean Sea, adjacent to Saint Kitts and Nevis in the northwest, Antigua and Barbuda in the northeast, and French Guadeloupe in the south. The total area of ​​Caribbean Pompeii is 102 km².

The self-explanatory name is no coincidence; in 1995, one of the three volcanoes, Soufriere Hills, came to life. The result of his awakening was the destruction of the capital, the town of Plymouth. Now this temporary status is occupied by the village of Brades, located in the northern part of the territory. During the eruption, two-thirds of the population left the island; currently the number of permanent residents is about 13 thousand.

Figuratively speaking, holidays in Montserrat can be divided into three main areas: beach, research, and environmental. The first is the traditional joy that the hospitable Caribbean gives to all tourists: sunbathing, underwater adventures in scuba masks, boat trips, fishing.

The second one will be appreciated by those inclined to adventure, since on the abandoned territory of the island there are many dilapidated buildings, the inspection of which guarantees strong emotions. This also includes mountain climbing.

The third direction is ecotourism. This Caribbean island is divided virtually into two parts: rocky, lifeless, gloomy and blooming, bright, charming in a Caribbean way. Whatever the purpose of the voyage, travelers will find cozy hotels, good cuisine, less crowds and a lot of impressions.

Damp tropical thickets in the mountains, bright flowers, lush ferns near rivers and waterfalls gradually fade away to the lifeless, without a single blade of grass, rocky southern part of the island. Not so long ago, of the three volcanoes, Chance Mountain was considered the highest - 915 meters. After all the eruptions, the lava domes of Soufriere Hills outgrew their neighbor by one and a half dozen meters.

The soil in some areas of Montserrat is fertile, before the sad events it was flourishing Agriculture: lime, sugar cane, avocados, bananas, mangoes, and coconuts were grown on an industrial scale. Now the places where the plantations were green are only suitable for filming a film about the fulfilled prophecies of the Apocalypse. However, ecotourism will delight lovers of natural beauty: the forest thickets are magnificent, the steep banks serve as a haven for bird colonies, and solitude on the wonderful coast will fill you with energy and delight.

Attractions Montserrat

It is preferable to start your acquaintance with Montserrat with an aerial review. For a relatively small fee you can admire from above the volcanoes, the turquoise transparency of the waves, and the mountain slopes covered with forests.

Then go down to earth and go to the former capital. It is abandoned, but not torn to pieces by looters. People fled from their native lands, in a hurry taking only documents and savings. Now the settlement looks depressing at the same time (houses, churches, shopping centers, port, abandoned cars, streets filled with cooled lava), and mysterious. A feeling of unreality is created: there are dishes on dusty tables, jackets on hangers in closets, portraits on the walls, unopened bottles in bars, equipment from those times... A wonderful opportunity, having crossed decades, not only to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the recent 90s, but also in an earlier period . The outlines of many buildings reveal an elegant colonial style; the remains of ancient estates are majestic and mysterious.

It is not for nothing that guests of the island flock to Montserrat in winter - at this time traditional festivities take place here. The Christmas festival begins in mid-December and the fun continues until the beginning of January: carnivals, processions, beauty contests, music parties a la Calypso, fairs. In other months, the measured way of life of the original villages will delight those seeking solitude and peace.

When is the best time to go to Montserrat?

The climate in Montserrat is subequatorial. The temperature closer to the sea varies, depending on the season, from 24 to 35 degrees; in the mountains, of course, it is cooler - from 18 to 27 degrees. Tropical hurricanes are possible in late summer and early Caribbean autumn. January and the spring months are recognized as the best in terms of recreation.

An ambiguous, mysterious, charming island in its exotic harmony. It may not be a very suitable place for traveling with children, but adventurers in the 18+ age category will definitely not forget a trip to Montserrat!