Montserrat

Origin

Cristopher Columbus discovered the Island in 1493 and named it Montserrat (the name of a famous Spanish Monastery in Catalonia). The English and Irish Catholics colonized it in 1632. They planted tobacco, sugar and cotton, and brought slaves to cultivate them. In the mid 1660s, the French attacked the Island several times and, later, between 1782 and 1783, ruled it for four years, until it was definitely ruled by the British.


Constitution

Standing Constitution:December 19,1989.


Government

Executive System: Governor (representative of the British monarch), Executive Council, Prime Minister. Legislative System:Legislative Council (twelve members, seven elected by universal vote). Judicial System: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Indictment Jurisdiction Court, Magistrate Court. Political Parties: Popular Liberation Movement (MLP); Democratic Progressive Party (PPD); National Developmental Party (PDN). Social Organizations: Montserrat United Workers Trade Union, headed by George Irish; it is the only trade union and it has 1 300 affiliates. There is a teacher’s trade union with 120 members and another one for sailors and dockers that has 122 members.


General History

This country is called the "Caribbean Emerald Island", it is a small island bathed by the Caribbean sea waters, very visited due to its beautiful landscapes and its warm beaches, perfect for diving and water sports. Impregnated with nature, this tourist destination has many architectural and ecological entertainment offers such as Chance's Peak, the St George Fortress, the Fox bay's Bird Reserve and the impressive Great Alps' Waterfalls. and seaports. There is a natural, colonial and historical Puerto Rico, but it is also a cosmopolitan country that combines highways, aqueducts, luxury hotels and an active nightlife, with culture, folklore and culinary traditions as present in its historical inheritance. It is characterized for having charming cities and towns like San Juan, the capi