Explain the Historic Barriers to Economic and Social Progress in the Country You Have Chosen to Study. Country: Montserrat.
Problem Statement: Explain the historic barriers to economic and social progress in the country you have chosen to study. Country: Montserrat.
Geographic and Cultural Context The small island of Montserrat is situated near Guadalupe, Antigua, Barbuda, and Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. It is within the grouping of islands called the Lesser Antilles, and more specifically within the grouping called the Leeward Islands. Covering approximately 40 square miles in land area, it is a British Crown colony (see Figure 1.). One of the most interesting aspects of Montserrat is its still-active volcano.
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Figure 1. The island of Montserrat (with volcanic “Exclusion Zone”) (Wikimaps)
Montserrat was “discovered,” and named by, Christopher Columbus during one of his voyages to the Caribbean region. It was on his second voyage to the New World that Columbus noticed the island and its striking resemblance to the land around the Spanish abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrati – hence the name.”[1] The island was originally claimed by Spain, but it changed hands several times before the British laid final claim to it. Montserrat is an island surrounded in mystery. Before Columbus ever set foot in the Caribbean, the islands original inhabitants (who were of Arawak decent) were engaged in conflict with the Caribs in a competition for land and resources. Over time the Arawaks disappeared as the dominant culture and people, and it is speculated that they were killed-off by the Caribs. The Caribs held the island for many years, continuing to take its resources, even as they moved on to other neighboring islands. The Caribs named the island Alliouagana ("Land of the Prickly Bush"), perhaps after the aloe plant.”[2] Several other “owners” are worth mentioning as they contributed to the history, cultural, and economic development of the tiny nation which continues to shape the current economic condition. There was a period in the early to
Geographic and Cultural Context The small island of Montserrat is situated near Guadalupe, Antigua, Barbuda, and Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. It is within the grouping of islands called the Lesser Antilles, and more specifically within the grouping called the Leeward Islands. Covering approximately 40 square miles in land area, it is a British Crown colony (see Figure 1.). One of the most interesting aspects of Montserrat is its still-active volcano.
[pic]
Figure 1. The island of Montserrat (with volcanic “Exclusion Zone”) (Wikimaps)
Montserrat was “discovered,” and named by, Christopher Columbus during one of his voyages to the Caribbean region. It was on his second voyage to the New World that Columbus noticed the island and its striking resemblance to the land around the Spanish abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrati – hence the name.”[1] The island was originally claimed by Spain, but it changed hands several times before the British laid final claim to it. Montserrat is an island surrounded in mystery. Before Columbus ever set foot in the Caribbean, the islands original inhabitants (who were of Arawak decent) were engaged in conflict with the Caribs in a competition for land and resources. Over time the Arawaks disappeared as the dominant culture and people, and it is speculated that they were killed-off by the Caribs. The Caribs held the island for many years, continuing to take its resources, even as they moved on to other neighboring islands. The Caribs named the island Alliouagana ("Land of the Prickly Bush"), perhaps after the aloe plant.”[2] Several other “owners” are worth mentioning as they contributed to the history, cultural, and economic development of the tiny nation which continues to shape the current economic condition. There was a period in the early to
Bibliography: 1. Akenson, Donald. If the Irish Ran the World: Montserrat, 1630-1730 (Joanne Goodman Lectures, 1997). Canada: Publisher Mcgill Queens University Press, 1997. 2. "Caribbean islanders acquiring British passports ." Miami Herald , 5 22, 2002. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/passports.htm. 3. "Countries and Their Cultures." (online forum message). Advameg, Inc.. 2012. http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Montserrat.html 4 5. "Islanders who fled volcano are ordered to leave the U.S.."Miami Herald , 8 9, 2004. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/islanders.htm. 6. "Islanders fear forced return to battered nation." Miami Herald , 8 30, 2004. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/battered.htm. 7. "Montserrat 's volcano hurls rocks, 30,000-foot ash cloud." CNN, , sec. The Associated Press, 03 21, 2000. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/volcano.htm. 8. "Montserrat volcano spews streams of ash." The Miami Herald , 3 4, 2004. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/ash.htm. 9. REUTERS, . "Caribbean Fears Volcanic Eruption ." New York Times , 10 16, 2002. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/16/international/americas/16MONS.html. [2] "Countries and Their Cultures." (online forum message). Advameg, Inc.. 2012. http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Montserrat.html [3] "Countries and Their Cultures." (online forum message) [4] Donald Akenson, If the Irish Ran the World: Montserrat, 1630-1730 (Joanne Goodman Lectures, 1997), (Canada: Publisher Mcgill Queens University Press, 1997), 273. [6] REUTERS, . "Caribbean Fears Volcanic Eruption ." New York Times , 10 16, 2002. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/16/international/americas/16MONS.html. [7] "Montserrat 's volcano hurls rocks, 30,000-foot ash cloud." CNN, , sec. The Associated Press, 03 21, 2000. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/volcano.htm (accessed December 5, 2012). [8] Montserrat 's volcano hurls rocks, 30,000-foot ash cloud." CNN, , sec. The Associated Press, 03 21, 2000. http://www.latina mericanstudies.org/caribbean/volcano.htm (accessed December 5, 2012). [9] "Countries and Their Cultures." (online forum message). Advameg, Inc.. 2012. http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Montserrat.html [10] "Caribbean islanders acquiring British passports ." Miami Herald , 5 22, 2002