Montserrat is a small island located in the Caribbean, and it is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. The island is located in the Leeward Islands chain, about 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Antigua. Montserrat has a total area of 102 square kilometers and has a population of around 5,000 people. The island's capital and largest city is Plymouth, which was buried by ash following an eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in 1997.
The official language is English, and the currency is the East Caribbean dollar. The island has a mixed population of African, Irish and British descent. Montserrat has a parliamentary democracy with a Governor as the representative of the British monarch and a Premier as the head of the government.
The economy of Montserrat is primarily based on tourism and government services, with a small agricultural sector. The island's tourism industry was greatly impacted by the volcanic eruption in 1997, which caused widespread damage and displacement of residents. However, it has slowly been recovering in recent years with the development of a new airport and the reopening of the port at Little Bay.
The island also has a small offshore financial services sector and some manufacturing industry. The island is dependent on the UK for financial assistance, which has been provided to help with the recovery effort and to fund infrastructure projects.
The island has a rich history and culture, with the island being the only place in the world where the endangered Montserrat Oriole can be found. It also has a number of historical sites and monuments, including the remains of Plymouth, which was the island's capital before the eruption.
