2. About Montserrat
It was taken over by English people
therefore they speak English.
Other people that live there too are
Irish and African people.
This is the
Montserrat flag
4. Culture
The people of Montserrat play cricket
and soccer.
They also celebrate St. Patrick's Day
5. Standards of Living
Literacy Rate- 67%
Total population: 78.36 years.
Male: 76.24 years.
Female: 80.59 years (2003 est.)
Unemployment
Country 1996 1998 This is a graph of
the
unemployment.
Montserrat 20 6
6. Music
The music of Montserrat is influenced by Irish
traditions. They use drums similar to the bodhran.
Natives are also witness to the jumbie dance the
style of which is still strongly African. Instruments
include the ukulele and shak-shak, an African
instrument made from a calabash gourd; both of
these are used in traditional string bands.
7. Tourist Attractions
Montserrat's ghauts (pronounced guts) are deep
ravines that carry rainwater down from the
mountains to the sea. Runaway Ghaut is one of
Montserrat’s more famous ones and is a popular
tourist stop. Legend has it that people drinking the
cool spring water flowing to the drinking fountain at
Runaway Ghaut will be drawn to return to Montserrat
again and again. The exact wording of the legend is “if
you drink the waters from this burn, to
Montserrat you will return.”
9. Economy
The Economy of Montserrat was severely disrupted
by volcanic activity which began in July 1995. Prior to
this date, the small island country of 12,000 had an
export economy based on agriculture, clothing,
electronic parts and plants. Destroyed by Hurricane
Hugo in 1989, the studio was never reestablished;
however Martin subsequently helped found the
Montserrat Cultural Centre, which was opened in
2007. Some of the funds were raised in a London
concert called “Music for Montserrat"
10. Health Care
September 13th was the day that put concerns over the
health risks of volcanic ash to the people of
Montserrat.
The Government of Montserrat have for some time
been educating the public about the health risks from
ash, including through sessions in schools. Dust
masks have been widely distributed among the
communities living on the fringes of the affected areas
and to essential staff working in the hazard zones - eg
port workers, police, search and rescue teams.
