Montserratian British
Encyclopedia
Montserratians in the United Kingdom including Montserrat
ian born immigrants to the United Kingdom
and their British-born descendants constitute the second largest number of overseas British citizens
living in the UK (behind Gibraltarians
).
erupted, destroying a large percentage of the island including its capital city, Plymouth
. The volcano continued to erupt over following years, and ultimately two thirds of Montserrat's population left the island. The UK immediately offered their assistance and began to welcome large numbers of refugees from the island. The people of Montserrat were granted full residency rights in the UK in 1998, and citizenship was granted in 2002.
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
ian born immigrants to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and their British-born descendants constitute the second largest number of overseas British citizens
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
living in the UK (behind Gibraltarians
Gibraltarians in the United Kingdom
Gibraltarians in the United Kingdom is a term referring to Gibraltarian-born immigrants to the United Kingdom and their British-born descendents. Gibraltar is a British overseas territory therefore it allows individuals born there the right of abode in the United Kingdom...
).
History and settlement
The Caribbean island of Montserrat has experienced British rule for centuries, British control was established in 1632 and to this day it remains an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. This in itself makes it easy for the overseas British citizens to migrate to the UK with few problems. In July 1995, the island's Soufrière Hills volcanoSoufrière Hills
The Soufrière Hills volcano is an active complex stratovolcano with many lava domes forming its summit on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. After a long period of dormancy, it became active in 1995, and has continued to erupt ever since...
erupted, destroying a large percentage of the island including its capital city, Plymouth
Plymouth, Montserrat
Plymouth is the de jure capital of the island of Montserrat, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Leeward Island chain of the Lesser Antilles, West Indies. The town was overwhelmed by volcanic eruptions starting in the 1990s and was abandoned...
. The volcano continued to erupt over following years, and ultimately two thirds of Montserrat's population left the island. The UK immediately offered their assistance and began to welcome large numbers of refugees from the island. The people of Montserrat were granted full residency rights in the UK in 1998, and citizenship was granted in 2002.