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Montserrat Facts
- HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: top
No vaccination is required unless transiting or coming from an infected area within SIX MONTHS of arrival. Persons known to have come from any country which has suffered cholera, yellow fever or smallpox epidemics must have vaccination certificates. Drinking water is perfectly safe from the tap, but bottled, purified and mineral water is available.
- TRAVEL: top
The nearest international airport is located in Antigua with direct services from New York, Newark, Philadelphia, London, Toronto, Miami, San Juan and many Caribbean islands. From North America, American Airlines, offers connections via San Juan; while US Air, BWIA, Air Jamaica, Continental Airlines, and Air Canada offer direct flights to Antigua. Air France, British Airways, BWIA, Virgin Atlantic, Caledonian and Condor provide services from Europe with several flights weekly. There are daily scheduled inter island flights provided by LIAT, Caribbean Star, American Eagle and BWIA which also operate to Antigua. Travel out of Antigua to Montserrat and vice versa is possible either via a fast, comfortable ride of just under an hour by ferry or twenty minutes by helicopter, allowing for panoramic views of the island, its beauty and the redevelopment of its landscape from a distance. There is a departure tax which is payable upon leaving Montserrat. US$9 (EC$25 is required of CARICOM Nationals while all other persons are required to pay US$16 (EC$45).
Getting to Montserrat is by way of Ferry and Helicopter from neighboring Antigua.
**A NEW AIRPORT IS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT, WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 2004**
- EXCLUSION ZONE FOR VISITORS: top
The eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano in the South of the island has led to the evacuation and relocation of residents beyond the Exclusion Zone. This part of Montserrat is dangerous and is also illegal to enter. The boundary for the Exclusion Zone begins from just below Lime Kiln Bay on the West Coast then southwards to Plymouth and St. Patrick's and eastwards to St. George's Hill and Waterworks Estate and over Centre Hills through Windy Hill and Harris and down to the east coast at the site of W. H. Bramble Airport.
- TELECOMMUNICATION: top
Both domestic and international direct dialing telecommunications are provided by Cable & Wireless (W.I.) Ltd. A fully digitalized telephone system, international and national services, international direct dialing (IDD), facsimile, data and telex services are available from public coin and card phones. Additionally, Cable & Wireless offers Boat phone, the Caribbean Cellular Service; leased circuits and 1-800 Toll free service. The Cable & Wireless office is located in the heart of Sweeneys and is open five days a week; Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Tel: (664) 491-1000, Fax (664) 491-3599. Prepaid calling cards can be purchased at that office. Phone booths are located all around the island and cards can be purchased at the following locations:
Carol 's Corner, Vue Pointe Hotel (presently closed); Cockpit Bar, Geralds; Elizabeth Sweeney, St. John's; Captain Weeks & Lillian, St. John's; Victor's Grocery, Davy Hill; A & F Gas Station, Sweeneys; Joseph Murrain, Lookout; Wilfred (Moose) Meade, Little Bay; Lydia Ryan, Cudjoe Head; Annie Dyer Howe, St. Johns; Arrow's Manshop, Sweeney's and Salem; Norman's Supermarket, Cudjoe Head; Moore's Wide Awake Bar, Salem; Leroy Tuitt, Brades; Leroy Bramble, Cudjoe Head
- GOVERNMENT: top
Montserrat is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State. Political parties are active on the island, which is governed by a legislature elected by popular vote. A Chief Minister serves with an appointed cabinet of ministers. A resident Governor represents the British crown. John A. Osborne is the present Chief Minister.
- POPULATION: top
Due to the volcanic activity which has ravaged the island since 1995 there has been a drop in the population from 10,639 (1991 Census) to 4,482 (2001 Census).
- MONEY: top
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency but US dollars are widely circulated and freely accepted. The rate of exchange is approximately EC$2.70 = US$1.00. All major credit cards are accepted as are Canadian dollars and traveler's cheques. You will find the American Express agent at Travel World International Limited, located at Davy Hill. Tel: (664) 491-2713/4. Fax 664 491 2715
- RELIGION: top
Most religious denominations are represented on Montserrat. Roman Catholic, Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist, Jehovah’s Witness, Wesleyan Holiness and Church of God of Prophecy. Each denomination holds its own scheduled services regularly. For the locations and times of most worship services, please contact the Montserrat Christian Council Tel: (664) 491-4864.
- PHYSICAL FEATURES: top
Montserrat, a lush green and mountainous island of approximately 39 square miles, lies in the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands, some 27 miles southwest of Antigua. Known fondly as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, this pear shaped island - 12 miles long and 7 miles wide (and now expanding, due to the volcanic activity in the south of the island!) - is situated 1,150 miles north of the equator. It can be located on the map at approximately 16° 45’ North and 62° 10’ West. The island rises in a series of dramatic mountain slopes to the high point of over 3,000 feet at the Soufriere Hills in the Exclusion Zone. The islands of Redonda, Nevis and St. Kitts in the west and north respectively, Guadeloupe to the south and Antigua to the northeast can be seen from the various points on the island.
- EXCLUSION ZONE FOR VISITORS: top
The eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano in the South of the island has led to the evacuation and relocation of residents beyond the Exclusion Zone. This part of Montserrat is dangerous and is also illegal to enter. The boundary for the Exclusion Zone begins from just below Lime Kiln Bay on the West Coast then southwards to Plymouth and St. Patrick's and eastwards to St. George's Hill and Waterworks Estate and over Centre Hills through Windy Hill and Harris and down to the east coast at the site of W. H. Bramble Airport.
- MEDICAL FACILITIES: top
The main hospital, (664) 491-2552/7404/2836 is located in St Johns and can handle most routine and surgical emergencies. Accident and Emergency: (664) 491-2802. Doctors in private practice are also available. A dental clinic is available, as are private dentistry services. Arrangements can be made quickly to transfer more serious problems off island by helicopter to Antigua or Guadeloupe.
- PASSPORTS/VISAS: top
Proof of citizenship is required. A valid passport is recommended for all visitors; however, U.S., Canadian and British citizens may present a Driver’s License or official ID card as proof of citizenship. Entry visas may be required of visitors from other countries such as Cuba and Eastern Bloc Countries, and can be obtained from British consulate offices. An onward or return ticket is required by all persons who are visiting Montserrat. Caricom citizens can travel on an official ID card, which must bear a photograph of the individual.
- DUTY FREE: top
Gift articles up to a value of $US185 ($EC500), including the allowances of wines, spirits, cigarettes, tobacco, cigars and perfume may be imported free of duty, provided that they do not exceed what is permitted. The allowance into Montserrat is 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, half a pound of tobacco, 40 ounces of alcoholic beverage and 6 ounces of perfume. Personal items are exempt from import duty.
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