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Region: Caribbean
Full Name: Montserrat
Capital City: Little Bay, Brades and Plymouth
Languages Spoken: English
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16? 45’N 62? 12’W
Highest Point: Lava Dome in English’s Crater estimated at over 930m (2006.)
Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea 0m
No land boundaries - island
Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
N/A
Arable Land: 20%
Permanent Crops: 0%
Other: 80% (2011)
Land erosion
The climate in Montserrat is rather tropical all year round, with the average daily temperature at around 27? c. Hurricane season usually takes place between the months of July and November.
The UK is 5 hours ahead of Montserrat.
As of July 2015, Montserrat had a population of 5,215. However, the population never used to be this low, in 1995 around half on the population fled the island due to earthquakes where at least 19 people died.
0-14 years: 17.6% (male 472/female 445)
15-24 years: 21.5% (male 588/female 531)
25-54 years: 47.9% (male 1,190/female 1,309)
55-64 years: 6.9% (male 160/female 200)
65 years and over: 6.1% (male 196/female 124) (2014 est.)
Total: 31.4 years
Male: 30.9 years
Female: 31,9 years (2014 est.))
0.48% (2014)
11.31 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
At Birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.55 male(s)/female
Total Population: 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Total Population: 73.9 years
Male: 75.48 years
Female: 72.24 years (2014 est.)
1.29 children born/woman (2014 est.)
When dining in most restaurants in Montserrat, be prepared for the businesses to add on a 10% service charge to your bill.
Although Montserrat is mostly a safe country, the numbers of violent crimes have gone up in recent years. The level of crime is still classed as low when compared to other countries, however, the annual rate of assault is over 10 assaults for every 1,000 people, making it the most common kind of crime on the island.
Drug possession and drug smuggling have severe penalties if caught in Montserrat. Make sure you take a look into the rules and regulation of importation and exportation before you are set to travel.
The hotels in Montserrat are small and local. Villas and apartments can also be rented by tourists.
There are telecommunication systems in Montserrat, with a main line telephone system, operating over 4,000 telephone mainlines, a mobile system, and a radio and television system. In 1997 the only television broadcast station was providing 3,000 televisions. The Montserrat country code is “MS.”
General mobile signal around urbanised areas is good. There are always payphones too.
The voltage in Montserrat is 230V with a frequency level of 60Hz.
The plug types in Montserrat are types A and B. A travel plug adaptor will be needed if you plan to use any technological gadgets such as laptop chargers, straighteners and phone chargers.
Some specialities of Montserrat cuisines include: Pumpkin soup; salt fish; aubergine patties; Mountain chicken (this is not actually chicken - it is actually a leg of local frog); and Goat water.
When departing the island, a departure tax is required. Currently the charge for residents is EC$25 and for tourists and non- residents is EC$45. However if you are flying from John A Osborne Airport or leaving from the ferry port, then there is a further security charge which is to paid at check-in of EC$10 each.
The validity on your passport should cover the length of your proposed stay in Montserrat.
A Visa is not required if you are a British Citizen or a British Overseas Territories Citizen.
The validity on your passport should cover the length of your proposed stay in Montserrat.
There are currently no requirements for entry to Montserrat for travellers with HIV.
When departing the island, a departure tax is required. Currently the charge from residents is EC$25 and for tourists and non- residents is EC$45. However if you are flying from John A Osborne Airport or leaving from the ferry port, then there is a further security charge which is to paid at check-in of EC$10 each.
Montserrat Government UK:
Address: Kingscross Business Centre, 180-186 King’s Cross Road, London, WC1X 9DE
Tel: 020 7520 2622
Website: http://montserrat-gov.org/index.php
Opening Times: Everyday including Sundays 10am-2am.
Montserrat Embassy US:
Address: Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.
Tel: +(246) 227-4399
Emergency After Hours Tel: +(246) 227-4000
Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov
The British FCDO state that there is a low threat from terrorism.
Website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montserrat
Montserrat’s currency is the East Caribbean Dollar
Montserrat do not currently have any restrictions on The East Caribbean Dollar.
The Bank of Montserrat
Address: Brades main road
Tel: +1 664 491-3843
Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm
The Royal Bank of Canada
Address: Brades main road
Tel: +1 664 491-2426
Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am - 2pm.
The current exchange rate for The East Caribbean Dollar is GBP£1.00 = EC$3.95 (May 2016)
At the moment, there are only two cash machines on the island, these can be found at:
The Bank of Montserrat
Address: Brades main road
Tel: +1 664 491-3843
Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm.
The Royal Bank of Canada
Address: Brades main road
Tel: +1 664 491-2426
Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am - 2pm.
Not many restaurants hotels and shops will accept credit cards, so it is advised to always carry cash with you.
Travellers to Montserrat needing dental care will need to use private practice dental surgerys, however these are only accessible at the weekends and in the evenings.
There are 2 pharmacies on the island, including Lee’s Pharmacy. These are both equipped and supplied by The Eastern Caribbean Drug Service. As there are only two pharmacies on the island, it is advised to pack a medical kit, which could include paracetamol, plasters, bandages, diarrhoea tablets, antiseptic wipes, cotton wool, and mosquito wipes.
Lee’s Pharmacy
Address: Brades Main Road, Brades, Montserrat
Tel: 664-491-3444
If you are taking any medicines before you leave for Montserrat, make sure you have enough to cover you stay, as they could be very hard to get hold of once on the island.
Hospitals and Health Centres on The Island:
St. John’s Hospital - Includes a 24 hour emergency department which offers standard health care facilities. It can hold up to 30 beds. More important and serious medical issues may require to be transported by air to another local island, usually Antigua and Saint Kitts, where the patient can get the treatment needed, which may be unavailable in Montserrat.
Tel: (664) 491-5218, 491-2843, 491-2836, 491-2802.
Cudjoe Head Clinic - offers outpatient clinic Tel: (664) 491-5258
Salem Clinic - offers outpatient clinic - Tel: (664) 491-5256
St. Peter’s Clinic - offers outpatient clinic - Tel: (664) 491-5436
Mental Health Clinic - offers outpatient mental health clinic - Tel: (664) 491-3879
Physicians:
Dr. Ronnie Cooper - Tel: 664/491-6419
Dr. Franklin Perkins - Tel: 664/491-2823
Emergency Services:
Fire - 911
Police - 999
It is advised that you do not eat any fruit and vegetables without them being cooked or peeled. Always drink bottled water rather than water the has come from the tap or well. This is the same with ice. Only use ice that has been made from bottled water.
When travelling to Montserrat, you should be up-to-date with your routine jabs including MMR, Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria and your yearly flu jab. It is also advised to be vaccinated against Rabies, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, preferably 4-6 weeks before you are due to travel. It is always best to check with your GP to make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations, and to see whether or not they can recommend any other vaccinations to have that might be applicable to the country's present disease risk situation.
Travellers from areas with a risk of Yellow Fever are required to have the Yellow Fever vaccination before entering Montserrat.
Dengue Fever - There is a slight risk of Dengue Fever in Montserrat. It was reported that in 2011, there were three cases of Dengue Fever. The disease is passed on to humans through mosquito bites and is typically passed on in more urbanised areas. Joint and muscle pains, headaches and fever are symptoms of the disease. You should take mosquito prevention methods when travelling to Montserrat, such as wearing mosquito repellent spray, using repellant wipes and wristbands, and covering up with light and baggy clothing. If you believe that you have some of these symptoms after being in Montserrat, then it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance to make sure that you are covered for any medical attention needed whilst abroad.
Schistosomiasis - There is a slight risk of Schistosomiasis in Montserrat. The parasitic disease is passed onto humans through the contact with fresh water, such as lakes, ponds and streams. The parasite infects the human by getting into the skin. Symptoms of the disease are not always noticeable at first, however once found, it can be treated by taking medicine for a brief time period. Symptoms of the disease can include high fevers, coughing, muscle pain, red rashes, and diarrhoea.
Chikungunya Fever - Some cases of Chikungunya Fever, which is transported by mosquitos, have been confirmed across Montserrat. It’s numbers in the region are slowly increasing and is more common in the rainy seasons. Fever, nausea, rashes and muscle pains are just some of the symptoms that have been linked to Chikungunya Fever. Although serious problems of Chikungunya Fever are uncommon, the symptoms can last for a few days. In order to help prevent being bitten by mosquitos whilst being in Montserrat, it is advised that you wear insect repellant. These can be in forms of, repellant creams, wipes, wristbands, sprays etc. Wearing clothes that cover your skin, especially loose fitting clothing, can also help prevent you from being bitten.
There are no health entry requirement when travelling into Montserrat, except for travellers coming from a country that has recently suffered from an epidemic of yellow fever, small pox, or cholera.
It was reported that in 2011, there were three cases of Dengue Fever. The disease is passed on to humans through mosquito bites and is typically passed on in more urbanised areas. You should take mosquito prevention methods when travelling to Montserrat, such as wearing mosquito repellent spray, using repellant wipes and wristbands, and covering up with light and baggy clothing. If you believe that you have some of these symptoms after being in Montserrat, then it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance to make sure that you are covered for any medical attention needed whilst abroad.
Some cases of Chikungunya Fever, which is transported by mosquitos, have been confirmed across Montserrat. It’s numbers in the region are slowly increasing and is more common in the rainy seasons.
News
The Montserrat Reporter is an online news website updating its audience with the latest news of what has been going on on the island. Website: www.themontserratreporter.com/
Television
ZTV Montserrat
Radio
ZJB Radio Montserrat