Montserrat

Did you know?

• ✨A British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, known as the 'Emerald Isle of the Caribbean' due to its resemblance to coastal Ireland and Irish ancestry.
• 🏳️What does its flag mean? The Blue Ensign features the British Union Jack in the canton. The coat of arms depicts Erin, the female personification of Ireland, dressed in green, holding a golden harp and standing beside a tall wooden cross, reflecting Montserrat's Irish heritage.
• 🌋Modern day Pompeii: In 1995, the long-dormant Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, burying the capital city of Plymouth under meters of ash and mud and forcing two-thirds of the population to evacuate.
• 🚫Forbidden exclusion zone: The entire southern half of Montserrat is currently designated an active volcano 'Exclusion Zone', off-limits to normal habitation.
• ☘️Irish stamp in passports: Montserrat is the only place outside of Ireland where St. Patrick's Day is an official public holiday, and its passport entry stamp is shaped like a shamrock.