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World > North America > Montserrat
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Montserrat |
Introduction:
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English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.
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| Official name: |
Montserrat |
| Capital: |
name: Plymouth
geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brad |
| Government type: |
NA |
| Population: |
9,538
note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
English |
| Official Currency: |
East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Current East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates
Historical East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates
Chart East Caribbean Dollar Exchange Rates |
| Currency code: |
XCD |
| Area: |
total: 102 sq km
land: 102 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Climate: |
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation |
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Map of Montserrat
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