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| Country Guide > Caribbean > Montserrat |
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General Information Area 102 sq km (39.5 sq miles). Population 4482 (2001). Population Density 43.9 per sq km. Capital Plymouth, the former capital, was mostly destroyed by pyroclastic flows in August 1997. Brades is currently the interim capital. Geography Montserrat is one of the Leeward Islands group in the Eastern Caribbean. It is a volcanic island with black sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation. There are three main volcanic mountains on the island and Chances Peak is its highest point at 915m (3002ft). The Soufrire group of hills houses the volcano which began erupting in July 1995 and to date is continuously active. The Great Alps Waterfall, previously one of the most spectacular sights in the West Indies, has been destroyed by the volcano. Government British Overseas Territory since 1632. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Deborah Barnes Jones since 2004. Head of Government: Chief Minister Dr John A Osborne since 2001. Language English. Religion Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other Christian denominations. Time GMT - 4. Electricity 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Communications Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 1 664. Outgoing international code: 011. Phone booths are operated by coins and phonecards. Mobile telephone TDMA network not compatible with GSM handsets. Coverage extends over the northern half of the island. Handsets can be hired from the network provider, C&W Caribbean Cellular. GSM 850 network operates, provided by Cable & Wireless West Indies. Fax/telegram Cable & Wireless (WI) Ltd runs international links. Internet Main ISP is Cable & Wireless (website: www.cw.com). Post The Main Post Office in Brades is open Mon-Fri 0815-1555 Press The Montserrat Reporter and The Montserrat Times are both in English and published weekly. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |