About Dominica

Dominica (pronounced dom-in-EEK-a), known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean," is an independent volcanic island nation located between Guadaloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. It was orginally called Waitikubuli by the indigenous Carib Indians, who call Dominica home to the largest remaining popuation of their kind. In Dominica, you may experience:

  • One of the world's largest boiling lakes
  • World class hiking through unspoiled rainforests
  • Fantastic peaks: Morne Diablotin (4,747'), Morne Trois Pitons (4,600'), many others exceeding 3000'.
  • 365 Rivers - one for each day of the year
  • World class scuba diving (consistently rated top-five in the world)
  • Many breathtaking waterfalls
  • The best whale and dolphin watching in the Caribbean
  • Carnival and other popular heritage events
  • The 17,000 acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park with crater lakes, waterfalls and the Emerald Pool
  • The Cabrits National Park with the restored Fort Shirley
  • The Rain Forest Arial Tram, opening in 2002
» Photos Coming Soon!

Demographics

Population: 76,000
Growth rate: 0.0%
Literacy: 95%+
Unemployment: 23%
Workforce: 33,500
Official Language: English (a French creole is also spoken)

Geography

Land Mass: 289 square miles (750 square kilometers)
Capital City: Roseau
Location: Eastern Caribbean Sea, 1400 miles south of Miami, Florida
Significant Urban Centers: Portsmouth, Grand Bay, Marigot
Airports: Melville Hall Airport, Marigot; Canefield Airport, Roseau
Sea Ports: Roseau (Cruise Ship Berth), Portsmouth
Temperature: 80 degrees Fahrenheit (annual average)
Time Zone: GMT -4
Phone Codes: +1 (767) plus seven (7) digit number

Economy

Gross Domestic Product: US$165.99 million (2000)
Per Capita GDP: US$2143.00 (2000)
Growth Rate: 0.17% (2000)
Imports: US$140.17m (1999) CIF
Exports: US$54.32m (1999) FOB
Foreign Debt: US$95.87m (1999)
Inflation Rate: 1.17% (1999)
Exchange Rate: US$1.00 = EC$2.70, Fixed
Tourist Arrivals (2000): Stayovers: 68,875 Cruise visitors: 239,796

Note that tourism accounted for a mere 2.53% of GDP in 2000. Few people have had the privilege of experiencing the wonders of Dominica.


Government

Type: Parliamentary Democracy; republic within commonwealth.
Independence: November 3, 1978.
Constitution: November 1978.
Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral house of assembly. Judicial--magistrate and jury courts, Eastern Caribbean supreme court (high court and court of appeals), privy council.
Subdivisions: 10 parishes.
Political parties: Dominica United Workers Party, Dominica Labor Party, and Dominica Freedom Party.
Suffrage: Universal adult.


History

Courtesy National Development Corporation (NDC):

Christopher Columbus discovered Dominica in 1493. Under a French-British Treaty signed in 1660, Dominica was made a possession of the Carib Indian inhabitants. Nonetheless, French settlers established plantations there under a French Governor.

The island changed hands again several times between the French and British in the wars of the mid 1700s before Dominica became a British possession in 1805. It was a member of the Leeward Islands Federation until 1939, when that Federation's arrangement ended in 1959.

In 1960, Dominica achieved separate status with its own administrator and was a participant in the West Indies Federation until 1962. The island became an Associated State in March 1967, achieving full autonomy in internal affairs. Great Britain retained responsibility for defence and foreign relations. On November 3, 1978, Dominica became an independent republic within the British Commonwealth.

Dominica is a republic with an executive branch composed of a President and a Prime Minister. The House of Assembly elects the President for a term of five years. A presidential candidate is normally nominated jointly by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. However, when this does not occur, the President is elected by a secret ballot cast by members of the House of Assembly. A presidential candidate is entitled to no more than two (2) terms.

The President appoints as Prime Minister the elected member of the House who commands the support of a majority of its elected members. He also appoints other Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. Executive authority is vested in the President, but in most matters he heeds the advice of the Cabinet and acts as a constitutional head of state.

In the unicameral legislature, the House of Assembly, there are 30 members: one elected representative from each of 21 Constituencies, and nine Senators who are appointed (five on the advice of the Prime Minister and four on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition). There is also a Speaker of the House. The normal term of Parliament is 5 years.

The legal system is based on English Common Law. There are three local levels of Judiciary Courts, and the British Caribbean Court of Appeal. The Privy Council continues to be the highest Court of Appeal.