CaribbeanTravel.com Directory - (Page 164) MONTSERRAT spectacular by NATURE Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), where scientists monitor and study the volcano, there are educational displays and a video, as well as twice-a-week tours with a volcanologist. Settled in 1632 by Irish Catholics seeking religious freedom, Montserrat has been nicknamed the “Emerald Island of the Caribbean.” Enslaved Africans were later brought to work the sugar plantations, resulting in a resilient, fun-loving Irish-African cultural blend. “Emerald” also describes the verdant mountain rainforests and small plantations of banana, papaya and other tropical treats that cover much of the island. Centre Hills, under study by the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species, is known for its bird species —such as the rare Montserrat Oriole (the island’s national bird), forest thrush, bridles quail dove, mangrove cuckoo, trembler and purple-throated Carib — as well as the “mountain chicken” (actually a quite large frog) and the galliwasp, a half-snake, half-lizard found only here. Along the coast, volcanic black-sand beaches serve as nesting sites for Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles from August to September. M ontserrat is one of the few islands in the world that is growing not in population, but in land. Starting in 1995, the long-dormant Soufrière Hills volcano began spewing steam and ash. Two years later, it overran the southern part of the island, including the former capital. The volcanic area is now part of an offlimits Exclusion Zone that can be observed from the northern hills and from boats. In fact, the volcano is one of the main tourist attractions on this intimate, 39.5- squaremile island. Guides explain the finer points of volcanology as they lead hikers to vantage points for viewing the church steeple and rooftops of Plymouth, the former capital, peaking above the volcanic rubble. At the DIVING DELIGHTS Rendezvous Beach, only accessible by boat or a challenging hike to the island’s tip, is the only white-sand beach, but coral abounds around the island. Volcanic activity actually enhanced diving and snorkeling conditions, bringing huge boulders which have attracted coral formation while ash was quickly removed by currents. Among the best sites are Little Redonda, a rock that reaches up from a depth of 80 feet; the Pinnacles in the northeast; and Yellow Hole, south of the Pinnacles, with the wreck of a 19th century steel schooner sunk in 1886. MONTSERRAT Geography: Montserrat lies in the Eastern Caribbean, 27 miles southwest of Antigua. This pear-shaped island of approximately 39 square miles is 12 miles long and 7 miles wide. Highest point is over 3,000 feet at the Soufriere Hills. LANGUAGE: English is the official language, often spoken with an Irish brogue — a heritage left by the early Irish settlers. POPULATION: Estimated at 4,700. CLIMATE: Winter and summer temperatures average 76°F to 88°F (24°C and 32°C), with constant breezes from the sea and mountains. Annual rainfall is about 50”-80”, well distributed throughout the year, with wetter season from July to November. TIME: Same as EST in summer, EST+1 in winter. GMT-5. Exclusion?Zone 164 www.caribbeantravel .c om http://www.caribbeantravel.com
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