Small Montserrat has no army, only police. National security is the
responsibility of the United Kingdom and the Royal Navy, a potent force that
usually prevails, but not against the volcanoes. Much of the island was
devastated by the eruption of the Soufrière volcano in 1997, killing 19 people
and devastating the southern part of the island, causing serious economic and
demographic changes (more than half of the population, then about 12,000
inhabitants, were forced to move). More recent eruptions caused additional
damages in 2001 and 2003 making much of the land uninhabitable.
Form of government:
Territory outside
the United Kingdom
Capital:
Plymouth
(abandoned in 1997)
Area: 102 Kmq.
Population:
9.439
Language:
English (official)
Currency:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). 1
XCD=0,29 euro
Time Zone: - 4 GMT - UTC
Documents:
Passport
Health:The island has a good level little clinical center (30 beds) However, for more complex medical care, we recommend the
admission in a neighboring islands.
People suffering from asthma or other respiratory
ailments may be subject to acute attacks of respiratory failure due to
high atmospheric concentrations of gas, ash and soot caused by the
intense activity ' volcanic activity.
Phones: Only
a partial coverage for mobile phones.
International Dialing
Code:
+1
664
Electricity: 230 volts. American flat plug, Type A, B.
(See picture)
TERRITORY
The isle is volcanic with several formations of
different ages.
The active "Soufriere hills", 900 m. high, reawakened in 1997, changed
the character of the island.
Ash has covered the capital Plymouth and a huge part of the
territory, compelling most part of the population
to emigrate to the north.
The northern side is mountainous, green and
lush, covered with flowers and forests,
bordered by dark beaches.
The capital Plymouth has been moved "ad interim" to Brades Estate
CLIMATE
Temperatures fluctuate from 23°c.in the winter up to
30° in summer,
always refreshed by marine and mountain winds.
The rainy period is from september to november, hurricane's season
runs from june to september.
