Montserrat Overview

Montserrat Overview

According to abbreviationfinder, the city of Montserrat is located in Carr Bay (also known as Little Bay), near the northwestern tip of the island of Montserrat.

Demography

Montserrat has a population of about 9,300 residents, which gives a demographic density of just over 90 residents / km². It should be borne in mind that during the June 1997 eruption, two thirds of the 13,000 residents that existed at that time left the island. Some have returned but have found homelessness. The southern half of the island is uninhabited as an exclusion zone has been established.

Ethnically, the island is dominated by mulattoes, descendants of Irish and Africans; but there is also a white minority. The age structure of the population is well balanced. About 23% are under 14 years old, 66% between 15 and 65 and 11% are over 65 years old. The population growth rate is 1% per year, the birth rate about 18 ‰, which gives a fertility rate of about 1.8 children per woman. The mortality rate is low, about 7 ‰, and infant mortality is slightly higher. This gives a life expectancy at birth of about 78 years. See Montserrat facts.

None of the populations of Montserrat exceed 1,000 residents. The largest are:

  • Cork Hill, 731 a.m.
  • Salem, 679 h
  • Saint Johns, 627 a.m.
  • Bransby Point, 575 h

Culture

The culture on the island of Montserrat is influenced by Europeans, Africans and Irish (Ireland), the latter colonizing this island being the first whites to inhabit it.

The celebration of its festivities every year is something traditional, with dances, music to the rhythm of the Calypso, drums are an important part of African culture and have been complemented by a slight Irish and British influence. The Jumbie dance on Montserrat Island is considered by them an icon of the national culture, together with their other traditions they express their roots in this way.

Brades

Brades or Brades Estate is the de facto capital of the Montserrat Islands, replacing the official capital Plymouth, which has been abandoned since 1995 after the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano. After that fact the administration buildings were built in Brades.

Various names have been proposed for the new capital, which is now being built in the Little Bay area. Among them Port Diana, in memory of Princess Diana, and St. Patrick’s, to commemorate the March 17 uprising seeking to attract Irish-American tourists.

Beaches in Montserrat

The beaches in Montserrat are in the Caribbean lands are so beautiful that they attract tourism, with its famous Soufriere volcano, the soft and gray sand give a particularity to the island of Montserrat, the only white sand beach is that of Rendezvouz Bay towards the north, it is a bit distant but it is worth visiting.

The most important beaches of Montserrat are:

  • Little Bay: It is a beautiful beach famous for its busy port and variety of restaurants. It is a site sought after by tourists who enjoy sunbathing and fishing in crystal clear waters.
  • Rendezvouz Bay: On the only beach in Montserrat with white sand, it is beautiful, ideal for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying the sun. It is visited by tourists who enjoy ecotourism. On the beach you will find coral shells, and in some seasons between August and September it is possible to see small turtles.
  • Old Road Beach: It is a very popular beach in Montserrat where you can see the traces of the last eruption of the still active Soufriere volcano.

Government

Montserrat is a British overseas territory, so it is under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, from whom it receives its political structure. The head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, who is represented by a governor appointed directly by him. Executive power is exercised by the chief minister, with three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary. Legislative power is exercised by the Legislative Council, a chamber with 11 members, 9 of whom are elected by popular vote. The Judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean, whose jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia.

The island is divided into 3 parishes:

  1. San antonio
  2. Saint George
  3. Saint peter

Economy

Montserrat is a poor island, with a per capita income of about US $ 3,400. The main economic sectors are fishing and tourism, but frequent volcanic activity has put the island’s economy in trouble. The June 1997 eruption closed airports and ports, completely isolating it for months. The agricultural sector is testimonial, since there is hardly any agricultural land, and the crops were destroyed by the eruptions. There is a small industry associated with agricultural products and another with electronic components, which are dedicated to export.

The UK has started an aid program to help rebuild the economy. Its balance of payments is very negative, since it barely receives income and has to import almost all consumer goods and food. However, it is not a very large debt, since the population is very small. The main supplying countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada. The main client countries are the United States and Antigua and Barbuda.

Montserrat Overview

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