Capital city with beautiful beaches nearby where not a single person lives | World | News

One capital city has made its way into the Guinness Book of Records for an unusual reason – it’s a city without a single inhabitant.

The once bustling city of Plymouth, the capital of Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, was forced to evacuate its residents 30 years ago due to a catastrophic volcanic eruption.

Despite the northern part of the island boasting stunning white sand beaches and renowned hiking trails, particularly in the Centre Hills, the southern part of Montserrat is more akin to a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Before the long-dormant Soufrière Hills volcano erupted on 18 July 1995, Plymouth had a population of around 4,000. The city has since been likened to a modern-day Pompeii. It is therefore the capital city with the lowest population in the world. 

The devastating eruption resulted in two-thirds of this Caribbean paradise being declared an exclusion zone. A series of massive eruptions in 1995 spread ash across a wide area of Montserrat, including Plymouth, reports the Mirror. 

In August 1995, residents were initially evacuated before being allowed to return the following month. However, renewed volcanic activity in December sparked a second evacuation, which lasted another month.

Further volcanic eruptions occurred in 1996 and 1997, ultimately forcing the Montserrat government to impose strict restrictions preventing access to Plymouth.

During and following the volcanic activity, approximately two-thirds of inhabitants evacuated the island, with many relocating to the UK whilst others moved to neighbouring Caribbean territories, including nearby Antigua and Barbuda.

YouTube channel Beyond Civilization has ventured into the restricted area.

Their haunting footage shows a deserted restaurant, an empty library and crumbling hotels amongst other long-abandoned structures.

He states in his video: “The broken glass says it all.

“We’re able to capture a tiny glimpse of what life must have been like at Montserrat’s old capital, Plymouth, before the volcanic eruption. And even take a few peeks inside some of the dilapidated, post-apocalyptic abandoned structures.

“It’s hard not to picture yourself wondering through this dense, bustling and noisy population centre enjoying the sights, sounds and smells all around you.

“Some of the building ruins here include the Flora Fountain Hotel, a corporate office building, a police station, government headquarters, a bank, a general store and several abandoned churches and religious buildings.”

Plymouth remains the sole ghost town serving as a political territory’s capital.

The settlement of Brades has functioned as Montserrat’s unofficial capital since 1998, whilst a new capital at Little Bay is presently being developed. Nowadays it is possible to visit Plymouth, but it requires a guide authorised by the government to accompany tourists for a strictly monitored visit to the exclusion zone.

Speaking almost 10 years later, the island’s then-premier, Donaldson Romeo, said Montserrat has “learned to live with the volcano”.

He told the Guardian: “Before the volcano, we were standing on our own two feet. Here we are 20 years later, with lots of money spent, but we don’t have the programs that will assist us in achieving (self-sufficiency).”

In 2015, a regional cruise line began making regular stops at Montserrat.

Local drivers and tour operators would congregate at the island’s tiny port, hoping to cash in on curious tourists looking to visit Plymouth.

Licensed drivers secured permission from the government to take visitors to see the ruins of what has been called the ‘Caribbean Pompeii’.

The volcano last erupted in 2013 but it is still one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world.