Montserrat Country & Tourist Information

Location
Leeward Islands, Caribbean.

Area
102 sq km (39 sq miles).

Population
5,027 (2006).

Population Density
49.3 per sq km.

Capital
Plymouth is still officially the capital, but was mostly destroyed by pyroclastic flows in August 1997. The government headquarters are currently in Brades. There are plans to turn Little Bay into the new capital.

Government
British Overseas Territory since 1632.  

Language
English.

Religion
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other Christian denominations.

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 60Hz. Some buildings are wired to accept 110-volt appliances.

Head of Government
Chief Minister Lowell Lewis since 2006.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Deborah Barnes Jones since 2004.

Recent History
The most recent elections were held in June 2006. Lowell Lewis, of the Montserrat Democratic Party, was sworn in as chief minister, being the individual with the most votes. He heads up a coalition government, since no party won an outright majority. The previous chief minister, John Osborne, served two terms in the post.

Telephone
Country code: 1 664. Phone booths are operated by coins and phonecards.

Mobile Telephone
No roaming agreements have been declared. Coverage is limited. Mobile phones can be hired and local SIM cards are available to buy.

Internet
Internet access is available at Andy’s Internet Cafe and Grant Enterprises & Trading.

Post
Post office hours: The main post office in Brades is open Mon-Fri 0815-1600.

Press
• The Montserrat Reporter is published weekly.

Radio
• ZJB Radio Montserrat is a public station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
17 Mar St Patrick's Day. 
10-13 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day. 
1 Jun Whit Monday. 
8 Jun Queen's Birthday.
18 Jul Anniversary of Soufriere Hills Volcano Eruption.
3 Aug August Bank Holiday.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec Festival Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
17 Mar St Patrick's Day. 
2-5 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day. 
24 May Whit Monday. 
7 Jun Queen's Birthday.
18 Jul Anniversary of Soufriere Hills Volcano Eruption.
2 Aug August Bank Holiday.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec Festival Day.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic representation
Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory, and is represented abroad by British Embassies – see United Kingdom section.

Montserrat Tourist Board
PO Box 7, Farare Plaza, Brades, Montserrat
Tel: 491 2230 or 8730.
Website: www.visitmontserrat.com

Identity and Passport Service in the UK
London Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Ecclestone Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: 0870 521 0410 (24-hour national advice line).
Website: www.ukpa.gov.uk
Opening hours (appointment only): Mon-Fri 0745-1900; Sat 0915-1515.

Montserrat Government in the UK
7 Portland Place, London W1B 1PP, UK
Tel: (020) 7031 0317.
Website: www.gov.ms

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the USA
32nd Floor, 80 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004, USA
Tel: (212) 635 9530.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com


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