Country Information
| Sovereign State | No (British Overseas Territory) |
| Country Codes | MS, MSR, 500 |
| Official Name | Montserrat |
| Continent | North America (Caribbean) |
| Capital | Plymouth (de jure, abandoned due to volcanic activity), Brades (de facto) |
| Government Type | Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom |
| Currency | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) |
| Calling Code | +1 664 |
| Member Of | Part of the United Kingdom, not a member of the United Nations in its own right |
| Population | Approximately 5,000 |
| Total Area | 102 km² |
| Highest Point | Chances Peak (before the volcanic eruptions), currently Silver Hill (1,000 meters, 3,280 feet) |
| Lowest Point | Caribbean Sea (0 meters, 0 feet) |
| GDP Per Capita | USD 34,000 (approximate) |
| Life Expectancy | 74 years |
| Internet TLD | .ms |
Montserrat National Anthem
God Save the King
(Note: As a British Overseas Territory, Montserrat uses the United Kingdom’s national anthem, “God Save the Queen.”)
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
Flags of Neighboring Countries
History of the Montserrat Flag
The flag of Montserrat, adopted on January 25, 1999, is a British Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and the coat of arms of Montserrat in the fly. The flag symbolizes Montserrat’s status as a British Overseas Territory and reflects its unique cultural and natural heritage.
The coat of arms features Erin, a female personification of Ireland, reflecting the island’s historical settlement by Irish immigrants in the 17th century. Erin is depicted holding a golden harp, another symbol of Ireland, and standing beside a blue sea, symbolizing the Caribbean Sea that surrounds Montserrat. The coat of arms also includes a depiction of a mountain, representing the Soufrière Hills, an active volcano central to Montserrat’s geography and recent history.
The current flag replaced an earlier version, which had a similar design but with a different coat of arms. This earlier flag was adopted when Montserrat became a separate colony in 1962. The change in the coat of arms and the flag in 1999 was part of an effort to modernize the symbols of Montserrat and reflect the evolving identity of the island and its people.
The flag of Montserrat is a symbol of the island’s historical ties with the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as its unique natural environment. It is flown on government buildings and used in official contexts, representing the pride and resilience of the people of Montserrat, especially in the face of the challenges posed by volcanic activity in recent decades. The flag embodies the island’s cultural heritage, its struggles, and its aspirations for the future.