Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico. Severe volcanic activity has put a damper on this small, open economy. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy.

Area: 102 sq km

Population: 9,245 thousand

Capital: Plymouth

People: White and Black

Language: English

Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Government: Overseas territory of the UK

GDP: US29 million

Major Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, and electronic appliances.

Major Trading Partners: US, Antigua, Barbuda, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, and Canada.