Volcanic Island. British colony. pop. 12,000. Columbus sighted it in 1493. It was then inhabited by Caribs.

English colonists came from St Kitts in 1632. Then Irish from Virginia. African slaves arrived in 1664.

The French took the island several times. It has been continuously British from 1783. It is too small to be independent on its own.

Member East Caribbean Currency Union and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM)

Following the explosion of the volcano the population fell below that needed for a political community. Its near future may be as an almost uninhabited island. The volcano was previously dormant for about 300 years. Perhaps it will resume dormancy after the present period of activity.

Patois

French

English

British Overseas Territory (former colony)

Bananas, tourism

Volcano exploded during 1996 and 1997 and again as recently as 2004. Much of the island, including the capital, had to be evacuated.

The volcano has probably made most of the island uninhabitable for a period.

Islanders were awarded full British citizenship in 21 May 2002. However, British citizens do not have the right to move there.