Prior to 1995, tourism was the economic mainstay, and Montserrat's exports included electronic components and agricultural products. 1 Montserrat was visited in 1493 by Columbus and colonized by the English and Irish in 1632. After changing hands several times between France and Britain, it was ceded to Great Britain in 1783. The island was a member of the former Leeward Islands colony and of the Federation of the West Indies. It has had internal self-government since 1960.
Periodic hurricanes can cause extensive damage to the island.
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.