Its nearest neighbours in the island chain include Guadeloupe to the southeast, Antigua to the north-east and Nevis to the northwest.

The Soufrière Hills volcano became active in 1995, causing widespread devastation, including the destruction of the capital and formerly largest settlement on the island, Plymouth.

The southern part of the island is now uninhabitable and human settlement is constrained to the north.

Montserrat has a tropical climate, with little daily or seasonal temperature variation.

Location: About 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 3 nmi (5.556 km; 3.452 mi) Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) Terrain: Volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m Highest point: Prior to 1995, the highest point was Chances Peak (in the Soufrière Hills) at 915 m. Ongoing volcanic activity has created a lava dome estimated at 1,050 m in 2013.