Montserrat (island)

Volcanic island in the West Indies, one of the Leeward group, a British crown colony; capital Plymouth; area 110 sq km/42 sq mi; population (1995 est) 13,000. Montserrat produces cotton, cotton-seed, coconuts, citrus and other fruits, and vegetables. The island's population has suffered from repeated eruptions of the Soufriere volcano; the eruption in July 1997 buried the capital, Plymouth, under rock and ashes, and around 7,000 islanders were evacuated. Practically all buildings were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989.

Prior to 1994, tourism and industries such as electronic goods, clothing, and leather goods were increasing in importance; the continuing eruptions of the Soufriere volcano since 1995 and the associated evacuations of population have, however, seriously handicapped the economy.

History
The island's first European visitor was Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named it after the mountain in Spain. It was first colonized by English and Irish settlers who moved from St Christopher in 1632. It was held by the French until ceded to Britain in 1783. It became part of the colony of the Leeward Islands in 1871, and a British crown colony in 1956.