Montserrat

  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar
  • Temperature: Average 76-88°F year-round
  • Square Miles: 39 Approx.
  • Population: 4,500

ABOUT. The island is located southwest of Antigua in the Lesser Antilles. Montserrat is a small island with Irish heritage. One of Montserrat’s tourist draws is volcanic activity. The island continues to host a live volcano in its Soufrière Hills. Montserrat is a Caribbean island—specifically in the Leeward Islands, which is part of the chain known as the Lesser Antilles, in the West Indies. Columbus came across Montserrat after stops in Guadeloupe. He named it Montserrat in honour of the abbey of Montserrat in Spain. The Tainos however called it Alliougana which means “land of the prickly bush.”

Hurricane Hugo was the strongest hurricane to hit Montserrat. At 165 mph, it destroyed nearly all buildings on the island. Twenty-foot waves in the harbor of Plymouth destroyed the 180-foot stone jetty, and heavy rains of up to seven inches created mudslides. After more than 300 years of quiet, the Soufrière Hills Volcano came back to life on 18 July 1995.

“Hot Hot Hot” is a song written and first recorded by Montserratian musician Arrow, featured on his 1982 studio album, Hot Hot Hot. The song became an instant dance floor hit and was later covered by artists around the world.