Montserrat |  |  | Basic facts |  | The country | |
Map |  |
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| Capital: The capital Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity. Interim government buildings have been built at Brades, which is in the Carr's Bay vicinity situationed at the northwest end of the country. | Area: 102 sq km; 39 sq miles | Population: 7,574 (2001 Estimate) | Urbanisation: Arable land 20 per cent, permanent pastures 10 per cent, forests and woodland 40 per cent, other 30 per cent (1993 estimate). Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995. |  | Economy
| Exports: Electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
| Industry: Tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
| Agriculture: Cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
| Currency: East Caribbean dollar (EC$), consisting of 100 cents
| Natural resources:
|  | The people
| Ethnic: Black, white
| Language: English
| Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist, other Christian denominations
|  | The history
| Independence: None (overseas territory of the UK)
| Government: None (overseas territory of the UK)
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