Difference between revisions of "Dominica" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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The '''Commonwealth of Dominica''', commonly known as '''Dominica''', is an island nation in the [[Caribbean Sea]].  It is distinct and separate from the [[Dominican Republic]], another [[Caribbean]] nation.  The name is pronounced (dom-in-EE-cuh). In [[Latin]], its name means "Sunday", which was the day on which it was discovered by [[Christopher Columbus]].
+
The '''Commonwealth of Dominica''', commonly known as '''Dominica''', is an island nation in the [[Caribbean Sea]].  It is distinct and separate from the [[Dominican Republic]], another Caribbean nation.  The name is pronounced (dom-in-EE-cuh). In [[Latin]], its name means "Sunday", which was the day on which it was discovered by [[Christopher Columbus]].
  
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Dominica's [[pre-Columbian]] name was '''Wai'tu kubuli''', which means "Tall is her body". The indigenous people of the island, the Caribs, have a territory similar to the Indian reserves of [[North America]]. Because the island lies between two French overseas departments ([[Guadeloupe]] to the north and [[Martinique]] to the south), and because it was colonized by France for a time, it is sometimes called "French Dominica". However, its official language is English, though a French creole is commonly spoken.
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Dominica's [[pre-Colombian]] name was '''Wai'tu kubuli''', which means "Tall is her body". The [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous people]] of the island, the Caribs, now inhabit a territory similar to the Indian reservations of [[North America]]. Because the island lies between two French overseas departments ([[Guadeloupe]] to the north and [[Martinique]] to the south), and because it was colonized by France for a time, it is sometimes called "French Dominica". However, its official language is English, though a French creole is commonly spoken.
  
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Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" due to its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty. It is one of the youngest islands in the [[Lesser Antilles]], and it is still being formed by [[Geothermal (geology)|geothermal]]-[[volcano|volcanic]] activity. The island features lush [[mountain]]ous [[rainforest]]s, the home of many rare [[plant]], [[animal]], and [[bird]] species. There are [[xeric]] areas in some of the western coastal regions but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou [[parrot]] is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on both [[tourism]] and [[agriculture]].
+
Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" due to its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty. It is one of the youngest islands in the [[Lesser Antilles]], and it is still being formed by [[Geothermal power|geothermal]]-[[volcano|volcanic]] activity. The island features lush [[mountain]]ous [[rainforest]]s, the home of many rare [[plant]], [[animal]], and [[bird]] species. There are [[xeric]] areas in some of the western coastal regions but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou [[parrot]] is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on both [[tourism]] and [[agriculture]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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The island of '''Dominica''''s [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] [[Arawak]] people were expelled or exterminated by [[Carib]]s in the fourteenth century. The Arawaks were guided to Dominica, and other islands of the [[Caribbean]], by the South Equatorial current from the waters of the [[Orinoco River]].  These descendants of the early [[Tainos]] were overthrown by the Kalinago tribe of the Caribs.  
 
The island of '''Dominica''''s [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] [[Arawak]] people were expelled or exterminated by [[Carib]]s in the fourteenth century. The Arawaks were guided to Dominica, and other islands of the [[Caribbean]], by the South Equatorial current from the waters of the [[Orinoco River]].  These descendants of the early [[Tainos]] were overthrown by the Kalinago tribe of the Caribs.  
  
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The [[Carib]]s arrived on this island by special boats, which they are still making at their own territory on the island.  [[Christopher Columbus]] arrived at this island on Sunday, November 3, 1493.  He and his crew members soon left the island after being defeated by the Caribs. In 1627 [[Kingdom of England|England]] also tried and failed to capture Dominica. In 1635 the French claimed the island and sent missionaries, but were unable to wrench Dominica from the Caribs.  They abandoned the island, along with the island of [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]], in the 1660s.
+
The [[Carib]]s arrived on this island by special boats, which they are still making at their own territory on the island.  [[Christopher Columbus]] arrived at this island on Sunday, November 3, 1493.  He and his crew members soon left the island after being defeated by the Caribs. In 1627 [[United Kingdom|England]] also tried and failed to capture Dominica. In 1635 the French claimed the island and sent missionaries, but were unable to wrench Dominica from the Caribs.  They abandoned the island, along with the island of [[Saint Vincent]], in the 1660s.
  
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For the next hundred years Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as [[Europe]]an powers entered the region.  [[France]] formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763.  The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805.  The [[emancipation]] of [[Africa]]n [[slavery|slaves]] occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, by 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a black-controlled legislature.  In 1896, the United Kingdom retook governmental control of Dominica and turned it into a crown colony.  Half a century later, from  1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation.  In 1978 Dominica finally became an independent nation.
+
For the next hundred years Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as [[Europe]]an powers entered the region.  [[France]] formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763.  The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805.  The [[abolitionism|emancipation]] of [[Africa]]n [[slavery|slaves]] occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, by 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a black-controlled legislature.  In 1896, the United Kingdom retook governmental control of Dominica and turned it into a crown colony.  Half a century later, from  1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation.  In 1978 Dominica finally became an independent nation.
  
 
==Politics==
 
==Politics==
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==Geography==
 
==Geography==
 
[[Image:Do-map.gif|thumb|280px|Map of Dominica]]
 
[[Image:Do-map.gif|thumb|280px|Map of Dominica]]
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{{main|Geography of Dominica}}
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Dominica is an island nation in the [[Caribbean Sea]], the northernmost of the [[Windward Islands]].  The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (754 km²).  The capital is Roseau.   
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Dominica is an [[island nation]] and [[borderless country]] in the [[Caribbean Sea]], the northernmost of the [[Windward Islands]].  The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (754 [[square kilometers|km²]]).  The capital is [[Roseau]].   
 
  
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Dominica is largely covered by [[rainforest]] and is home to the world's largest [[boiling lake]].  Dominica also has many waterfalls, springs and rivers.  Some plants and animals thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests.  The volcanic nature of the island and the lack of sandy beaches have made Dominica a popular [[scuba diving]] spot. Dominica is home to several [[protected areas]], including [[List of national parks of Dominica|Cabrits National Park]]. The local people like to say that Dominica has 365 rivers.
+
Dominica is largely covered by [[rainforest]] and is home to the world's largest boiling [[lake]].  Dominica also has many [[waterfall]]s, springs and [[river]]s.  Some [[plant]]s and [[animal]]s thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests.  The volcanic nature of the island and the lack of sandy beaches have made Dominica a popular [[scuba diving]] spot. Dominica is home to several protected areas, including Cabrits National Park. The local people like to say that Dominica has 365 rivers.
  
 
It is said that when his royal sponsors asked [[Christopher Columbus]] to describe this island in the "New World," he crumpled a piece of parchment roughly and threw it on the table.  This, Columbus explained, is what Dominica looks like—completely covered with mountains with nary a flat spot.  
 
It is said that when his royal sponsors asked [[Christopher Columbus]] to describe this island in the "New World," he crumpled a piece of parchment roughly and threw it on the table.  This, Columbus explained, is what Dominica looks like—completely covered with mountains with nary a flat spot.  
  
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[[Morne Trois Pitons National Park]] is a tropical forest blended with scenic volcanic features.<ref>[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/814 Morne Trois Pitons National Park by World Heritage Sites]</ref>  It was recognized as a [[World Heritage Site]] on [[April 4]], [[1995]]. Currently it is the only such site in the Caribbean.
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Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a tropical forest blended with scenic volcanic features.<ref>[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/814 Morne Trois Pitons National Park by World Heritage Sites]</ref>  It was recognized as a [[World Heritage Site]] on April 4, 1995. Currently it is the only such site in the Caribbean.
  
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The Commonwealth of Dominica is engaged in a long-running dispute with [[Venezuela]] over Venezuela's territorial claims to the sea surrounding [[Isla Aves]] (Bird Island), a tiny islet located 70 [[mile]]s (110&nbsp;km) west of the island of Dominica.
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The Commonwealth of Dominica is engaged in a long-running dispute with [[Venezuela]] over Venezuela's territorial claims to the sea surrounding Isla Aves (Bird Island), a tiny islet located 70 miles (110&nbsp;km) west of the island of Dominica.
  
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The only two major cities are Roseau and [[Portsmouth, Dominica|Portsmouth]].
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The only two major cities are Roseau and Portsmouth.
  
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==Weather==
+
===Climate===
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It has two seasons, wet and dry.  The weather is very tropical in nature with the temperature being above 20 degrees Celsius most of the time.  The high amounts of annual rain feed into the rivers.  It is also in the [[hurricane]] region. In 1979, Dominica was hit directly by Category 5 storm Hurricane David, causing widespread and extreme damage.
+
Dominica has two seasons, wet and dry.  The weather is very tropical in nature with the temperature being above 20 degrees Celsius most of the time.  The high amounts of annual rain feed into the rivers.  It is also in the [[hurricane]] region. In 1979, Dominica was hit directly by Category 5 storm Hurricane David, causing widespread and extreme damage.
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
 
Almost all of the 70,000 nationals of Dominica today are descendants of [[Africa]]n [[slave trade|slaves]], brought in by colonial planters in the eighteenth century.  Dominica is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native [[Carib]]s, who were exterminated or driven from neighboring islands.  There are only about 3,000 Caribs remaining.  They live in eight villages on the East Coast of Dominica.  This special Carib Territory was granted by the British Queen in 1903.<ref>[http://www.avirtualdominica.com/caribs.htm The Carib Indians]</ref>.
 
Almost all of the 70,000 nationals of Dominica today are descendants of [[Africa]]n [[slave trade|slaves]], brought in by colonial planters in the eighteenth century.  Dominica is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native [[Carib]]s, who were exterminated or driven from neighboring islands.  There are only about 3,000 Caribs remaining.  They live in eight villages on the East Coast of Dominica.  This special Carib Territory was granted by the British Queen in 1903.<ref>[http://www.avirtualdominica.com/caribs.htm The Carib Indians]</ref>.
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There are also about 1,000 medical students from the United States and Canada who study at the Ross University school of medicine in Portsmouth.
 
  
 
The population growth rate of Dominica is very low, due primarily to emigration to other Caribbean islands, the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[France]], or [[Canada]]. English is the official language and is universally understood; however, because of historic French domination, and to the island's location between two French-speaking territories (Martinique and [[Guadeloupe]]) Antillean Creole "patois", a French-based creole language, is the mother tongue of 80 percent of the Dominican people. Dominica is therefore a member of the Francophonie organization.
 
The population growth rate of Dominica is very low, due primarily to emigration to other Caribbean islands, the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[France]], or [[Canada]]. English is the official language and is universally understood; however, because of historic French domination, and to the island's location between two French-speaking territories (Martinique and [[Guadeloupe]]) Antillean Creole "patois", a French-based creole language, is the mother tongue of 80 percent of the Dominican people. Dominica is therefore a member of the Francophonie organization.
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==Culture==
 
==Culture==
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[[Image:Carib Territory.svg|thumb|200px|left|Dominica's East coast territory of the Kalinago (tribe).]]
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[[Image:Carib Territory.svg|thumb|200px|left|The east coast territory of the Kalinago (tribe)]]
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Dominica is home to a wide range of people.  Historically occupied by several native tribes, only a [[Carib]] tribe remained by the time European settlers reached the island. French and British settlers each claimed the island, and imported slaves from [[Africa]]. The remaining [[Caribs]] live on a 3,700-acre territory at the east coast side of the island. They elect their own chief.  This mix of cultures is important to Dominica.
+
Dominica is home to a wide range of people.  Historically occupied by several native tribes, only a [[Carib]] tribe remained by the time European settlers reached the island. French and British settlers each claimed the island, and both imported [[slave trade|slaves]] from [[Africa]]. The remaining [[Caribs]] live on a 3,700-acre territory on the east coast side of the island and elect their own chief.  This mix of cultures is important to Dominica.
  
 
The famed novelist Jean Rhys was born and raised in Dominica.  The island is obliquely depicted in her best-known book, ''Wide Sargasso Sea''.  Recently, Caribbean writer Marie-Elena John's debut novel ''Unburnable'' has evoked much of the spirit of Dominica captured by Rhys, prompting comparisons between the two novels,<ref>Harris, Ena.  "Dominica as Spiritual Landscape: Representations of Nature and Ritual in Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea and Marie-Elena John's Unburnable". [http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/fhe/specialevents/biennialconference/2007/abstracts.htm Trajectories of Freedom: Caribbean Societies Past and Present].  Abstracts.  Biennial Conference 2007, University of the West Indies, Cavehill.  (Abstract by Dr Ena Harris of [[Bard College]], NJ, USA). </ref> in spite of the hundred-year difference, and suggesting that Dominica has remained one of the Caribbean's most pristine islands.  Rhys's friend, the political activist and writer Phyllis Shand Allfrey, set her 1954 novel ''The Orchid House'' in Dominica.
 
The famed novelist Jean Rhys was born and raised in Dominica.  The island is obliquely depicted in her best-known book, ''Wide Sargasso Sea''.  Recently, Caribbean writer Marie-Elena John's debut novel ''Unburnable'' has evoked much of the spirit of Dominica captured by Rhys, prompting comparisons between the two novels,<ref>Harris, Ena.  "Dominica as Spiritual Landscape: Representations of Nature and Ritual in Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea and Marie-Elena John's Unburnable". [http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/fhe/specialevents/biennialconference/2007/abstracts.htm Trajectories of Freedom: Caribbean Societies Past and Present].  Abstracts.  Biennial Conference 2007, University of the West Indies, Cavehill.  (Abstract by Dr Ena Harris of [[Bard College]], NJ, USA). </ref> in spite of the hundred-year difference, and suggesting that Dominica has remained one of the Caribbean's most pristine islands.  Rhys's friend, the political activist and writer Phyllis Shand Allfrey, set her 1954 novel ''The Orchid House'' in Dominica.
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==Economy==  
 
==Economy==  
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{{main|Economy of Dominica}}
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The Dominican economy is dependent on both [[tourism]] and [[agriculture]].  Forty percent of Dominican workers are in the [[agriculture|agricultural]] sector, and Dominica's primary agricultural exports include [[tobacco]], [[banana]]s, [[vegetable]]s, [[citrus]] [[fruit]], copra, coconut oil, and essential oils such as [[bay leaf|bay oil]].  The country's industries, other than tourism, include [[soap]], [[furniture]], cement blocks, and [[shoes]]. Dominica is further benefited by the presence of an offshore Devry-owned medical school, Ross University, in the northern town of Portsmouth. Over a thousand students, mainly from the United States and Canada, live and study in Portsmouth.
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The Dominican economy is dependent on both [[tourism]] and [[agriculture]].  Forty percent of Dominican workers are in the [[agricultural sector]], and Dominica's primary agricultural [[exports]] include [[tobacco]], [[banana]]s, [[vegetables]], [[citrus]], [[copra]], [[coconut oil]], and [[essential oils]] such as [[bay leaf|bay oil]].  The country's industries, other than tourism, include [[soap]], [[furniture]], cement blocks, and [[shoes]]. Dominica is further benefited by the presence of an offshore [[Devry]] owned medical school - [[Ross University]] , in the northern town of Portsmouth. Over 1,000 students mainly from USA and Canada live and study in Portsmouth.
 
  
 
[[Image:Dominica - market day.jpg|thumb|280px|Market day occurs each weekend in Roseau.]]  
 
[[Image:Dominica - market day.jpg|thumb|280px|Market day occurs each weekend in Roseau.]]  
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The Dominican economy has high [[poverty]] (30%), high [[unemployment]] (23%), and a low per capita [[GDP]] (US$5,400).  The Dominican economy has been hurt by problems in the [[banana]] industry.  The entire economy suffers when weather conditions damage the banana crop, or when the price of bananas falls.  The [[European Union]] has phased out preferred access of bananas to its markets, causing banana demand to fall.  In response, the Dominican government privatized the banana industry.  Also, the government has attempted to diversify the economy and has lifted [[price controls]] in an attempt to improve the lagging economy.  The government is also trying to develop tourism, especially [[ecotourism]].  The lack of a large international airport or sandy beaches limit opportunities for standard tourism, but the island's heavily rainforested landscape and beautifully preserved environment could lure those looking for unparalleled ecotourism experiences. Indeed, it is remarked that of all the islands of the Caribbean, Dominica is the only one [[Christopher Columbus]] might still recognise.
+
The Dominican economy has high [[poverty]] (30 percent), high [[unemployment]] (23 percent), and a low per capita GDP (US$5,400).  The Dominican economy has been hurt by problems in the [[banana]] industry.  The entire economy suffers when weather conditions damage the banana crop or when the price of bananas falls.  The [[European Union]] has phased out preferred access of bananas to its markets, causing banana demand to fall.  In response, the Dominican government privatized the banana industry.  Also, the government has attempted to diversify the economy and has lifted [[price controls]] in an attempt to improve the lagging economy.  The government is also trying to develop tourism, especially [[ecotourism]].  The lack of a large international airport or sandy beaches limits opportunities for standard tourism, but the rainforest-covered landscape and beautifully preserved environment could lure those looking for unparalleled ecotourism experiences.  
  
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===Agriculture===
 
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[[Banana]]s have traditionally formed the backbone of the island's economy. Between 1988–1999, banana production declined 63% and a 62% decline in export value. It is mainly due to the performance of the banana industry.<ref>[http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/bnccde/dominica/conference/papers/CampbellD.html Positioning Dominica’s Agriculture for Sustained Economic and Social Development]</ref>
 
 
[[Image:Calibishie (Dominica).jpg|thumb|280px|Calibishie, on Dominica's northern coast.]]
 
[[Image:Calibishie (Dominica).jpg|thumb|280px|Calibishie, on Dominica's northern coast.]]
 
[[Image:Rainforest at Trafalgar Falls (Dominica).jpg|right|thumb|280px|Rainforest at the Trafalgar Falls.]]
 
[[Image:Rainforest at Trafalgar Falls (Dominica).jpg|right|thumb|280px|Rainforest at the Trafalgar Falls.]]
  
 
===Tourism===  
 
===Tourism===  
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Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Dominica's tourism is underdeveloped. It does not have any world-famous chains of [[hotels]].
+
Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Dominica's tourism is underdeveloped. It does not have any world-famous chains of hotels.
  
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Dominica has a few famous tourist spots, such as the Indian River in Portsmouth, Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, [[Scotts Head]] (where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Caribbean Sea), and the world's largest [[Boiling Lake]] which is inside of [[Morne Trois Pitons National Park]] - Dominica's [[World Heritage site]]. This island country also has many excellent diving spots due to its steep drop-offs, healthy marine environment and reefs.
+
Dominica has a few famous tourist spots, such as the Indian River in Portsmouth, Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, Scotts Head (where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Caribbean Sea), and the world's largest Boiling Lake which is inside of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica's [[World Heritage site]]. This island country also has many excellent diving spots due to its steep drop-offs, healthy marine environment, and reefs.
  
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In 2004, because of its unchanged natural beauty, Dominica was chosen to be one of the major filming locations for ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]'' and its follow-up, ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End|At World's End]]''. Hampstead Beach, Indian River, Londonderry River, Soufriere and Vieille Case, which is situated on the island’s northern tip, were among the places which were selected for filming. The production ended on May 26th of 2005. The cast, crew and their island hosts had a "Dominica Survivor Party".
+
In 2004, because of its unchanged natural beauty, Dominica was chosen to be one of the major filming locations for ''Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest'' and its follow-up, ''At World's End''. Hampstead Beach, Indian River, Londonderry River, Soufriere and Vieille Case, which is situated on the island’s northern tip, were among the places selected for filming.
  
 
==Transportation==  
 
==Transportation==  

Revision as of 00:59, 19 December 2007


Commonwealth of Dominica
Flag of Dominica Coat of arms of Dominica
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Après Bondie, C'est La Ter" (Antillean Creole)
"After God is the Earth"
Anthem: Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
Location of Dominica
Capital Roseau
15°18′N 61°23′W
Largest city capital
Official languages English
Government Parliamentary democracy
 - President Nicholas Liverpool
 - Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Independence from the United Kingdom 
 - Date November 3 1978 
Area
 - Total 751 km² (184th)
290 sq mi 
 - Water (%) 1.6
Population
 - August 2006 estimate 71,727
 - 2003 census 71,727
 - Density 105/km²
272/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
 - Total $468 million
 - Per capita $6,520
HDI  (2004) Green Arrow Up (Darker).png0.793 (medium)
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Internet TLD .dm
Calling code +1-767

The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. It is distinct and separate from the Dominican Republic, another Caribbean nation. The name is pronounced (dom-in-EE-cuh). In Latin, its name means "Sunday", which was the day on which it was discovered by Christopher Columbus.

Dominica's pre-Colombian name was Wai'tu kubuli, which means "Tall is her body". The indigenous people of the island, the Caribs, now inhabit a territory similar to the Indian reservations of North America. Because the island lies between two French overseas departments (Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south), and because it was colonized by France for a time, it is sometimes called "French Dominica". However, its official language is English, though a French creole is commonly spoken.

Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" due to its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty. It is one of the youngest islands in the Lesser Antilles, and it is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, the home of many rare plant, animal, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou parrot is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on both tourism and agriculture.

History

The island of Dominica's indigenous Arawak people were expelled or exterminated by Caribs in the fourteenth century. The Arawaks were guided to Dominica, and other islands of the Caribbean, by the South Equatorial current from the waters of the Orinoco River. These descendants of the early Tainos were overthrown by the Kalinago tribe of the Caribs.

The Caribs arrived on this island by special boats, which they are still making at their own territory on the island. Christopher Columbus arrived at this island on Sunday, November 3, 1493. He and his crew members soon left the island after being defeated by the Caribs. In 1627 England also tried and failed to capture Dominica. In 1635 the French claimed the island and sent missionaries, but were unable to wrench Dominica from the Caribs. They abandoned the island, along with the island of Saint Vincent, in the 1660s.

For the next hundred years Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as European powers entered the region. France formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763. The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805. The emancipation of African slaves occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, by 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a black-controlled legislature. In 1896, the United Kingdom retook governmental control of Dominica and turned it into a crown colony. Half a century later, from 1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1978 Dominica finally became an independent nation.

Politics

Dominica is a full member of the OECS.

Dominica is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. The president is head of state, while executive power rests with the Cabinet, headed by the prime minister. The unicameral parliament consists of the thirty-member House of Assembly, which consists of twenty-one directly elected members and nine senators, who may either be appointed by the president or elected by the other members of the House of Assembly.

Unlike other former British colonies in the region, Dominica was never a Commonwealth realm with the British monarch as head of state, as it instead became a republic on independence. Dominica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dominica is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).


Geography

File:Do-map.gif
Map of Dominica

Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, the northernmost of the Windward Islands. The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (754 km²). The capital is Roseau.

Dominica is largely covered by rainforest and is home to the world's largest boiling lake. Dominica also has many waterfalls, springs and rivers. Some plants and animals thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests. The volcanic nature of the island and the lack of sandy beaches have made Dominica a popular scuba diving spot. Dominica is home to several protected areas, including Cabrits National Park. The local people like to say that Dominica has 365 rivers.

It is said that when his royal sponsors asked Christopher Columbus to describe this island in the "New World," he crumpled a piece of parchment roughly and threw it on the table. This, Columbus explained, is what Dominica looks like—completely covered with mountains with nary a flat spot.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a tropical forest blended with scenic volcanic features.[1] It was recognized as a World Heritage Site on April 4, 1995. Currently it is the only such site in the Caribbean.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is engaged in a long-running dispute with Venezuela over Venezuela's territorial claims to the sea surrounding Isla Aves (Bird Island), a tiny islet located 70 miles (110 km) west of the island of Dominica.

The only two major cities are Roseau and Portsmouth.

Climate

Dominica has two seasons, wet and dry. The weather is very tropical in nature with the temperature being above 20 degrees Celsius most of the time. The high amounts of annual rain feed into the rivers. It is also in the hurricane region. In 1979, Dominica was hit directly by Category 5 storm Hurricane David, causing widespread and extreme damage.

Demographics

Almost all of the 70,000 nationals of Dominica today are descendants of African slaves, brought in by colonial planters in the eighteenth century. Dominica is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Caribs, who were exterminated or driven from neighboring islands. There are only about 3,000 Caribs remaining. They live in eight villages on the East Coast of Dominica. This special Carib Territory was granted by the British Queen in 1903.[2].

The population growth rate of Dominica is very low, due primarily to emigration to other Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, or Canada. English is the official language and is universally understood; however, because of historic French domination, and to the island's location between two French-speaking territories (Martinique and Guadeloupe) Antillean Creole "patois", a French-based creole language, is the mother tongue of 80 percent of the Dominican people. Dominica is therefore a member of the Francophonie organization.

About 80 percent of the population is Catholic, though in recent years a number of Protestant churches have been established.

It has recently been noted that Dominica has an incredibly high proportion of the population who are centenarians (over the age of 100). As of March 2007, there are 22 centenarians out of the island's 70,000 inhabitants - three times the average incidence of centenarianism than in developed countries.[3] The reasons for this are the subject of current research being undertaken at Ross University School of Medicine.

Culture

The east coast territory of the Kalinago (tribe)

Dominica is home to a wide range of people. Historically occupied by several native tribes, only a Carib tribe remained by the time European settlers reached the island. French and British settlers each claimed the island, and both imported slaves from Africa. The remaining Caribs live on a 3,700-acre territory on the east coast side of the island and elect their own chief. This mix of cultures is important to Dominica.

The famed novelist Jean Rhys was born and raised in Dominica. The island is obliquely depicted in her best-known book, Wide Sargasso Sea. Recently, Caribbean writer Marie-Elena John's debut novel Unburnable has evoked much of the spirit of Dominica captured by Rhys, prompting comparisons between the two novels,[4] in spite of the hundred-year difference, and suggesting that Dominica has remained one of the Caribbean's most pristine islands. Rhys's friend, the political activist and writer Phyllis Shand Allfrey, set her 1954 novel The Orchid House in Dominica.

The dialect of Dominica also includes Cocoy and Creole-French-based patois. Other than English, the majority of people speak Creole, which came from the French plantation owners from the neighboring French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Cocoy is primarily a mix of cockney English imported by English settlers, with an infusion of African lingual. It is mainly spoken in the northeastern villages of Marigot and Wesley.[5]

Media and communication

Currently, there is no daily newspaper. There is a national television station and a few radio stations. Before 2004, there was only one telecommunication company called Cable and Wireless (Caribbean). Shortly after that, AT&T and a UK-based company called Orange started to offer service to the island.

Film and TV

In 2004, Dominica was selected as the site for filming Pirates of the Caribbean. In spring of 2007, CBS filmed its first pirate-related TV show called Pirate Master in Dominica.

Economy

The Dominican economy is dependent on both tourism and agriculture. Forty percent of Dominican workers are in the agricultural sector, and Dominica's primary agricultural exports include tobacco, bananas, vegetables, citrus fruit, copra, coconut oil, and essential oils such as bay oil. The country's industries, other than tourism, include soap, furniture, cement blocks, and shoes. Dominica is further benefited by the presence of an offshore Devry-owned medical school, Ross University, in the northern town of Portsmouth. Over a thousand students, mainly from the United States and Canada, live and study in Portsmouth.

Market day occurs each weekend in Roseau.

The Dominican economy has high poverty (30 percent), high unemployment (23 percent), and a low per capita GDP (US$5,400). The Dominican economy has been hurt by problems in the banana industry. The entire economy suffers when weather conditions damage the banana crop or when the price of bananas falls. The European Union has phased out preferred access of bananas to its markets, causing banana demand to fall. In response, the Dominican government privatized the banana industry. Also, the government has attempted to diversify the economy and has lifted price controls in an attempt to improve the lagging economy. The government is also trying to develop tourism, especially ecotourism. The lack of a large international airport or sandy beaches limits opportunities for standard tourism, but the rainforest-covered landscape and beautifully preserved environment could lure those looking for unparalleled ecotourism experiences.

Calibishie, on Dominica's northern coast.
Rainforest at the Trafalgar Falls.

Tourism

Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Dominica's tourism is underdeveloped. It does not have any world-famous chains of hotels.

Dominica has a few famous tourist spots, such as the Indian River in Portsmouth, Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, Scotts Head (where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Caribbean Sea), and the world's largest Boiling Lake which is inside of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica's World Heritage site. This island country also has many excellent diving spots due to its steep drop-offs, healthy marine environment, and reefs.

In 2004, because of its unchanged natural beauty, Dominica was chosen to be one of the major filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and its follow-up, At World's End. Hampstead Beach, Indian River, Londonderry River, Soufriere and Vieille Case, which is situated on the island’s northern tip, were among the places selected for filming.

Transportation

There are two small airports on the island: the main one is Melville Hall Airport (DOM), about one hour away from Portsmouth; the second one is Canefield (DCF) which is about fifteen minutes' travel from Roseau. Neither of them is big enough for typical commercial size airplanes, although Melville Hall is under expansion. As of 2007, American Airlines, LIAT and Caribbean Star are the three major airlines. There is no night-time service, because the airports do not have night lights.

There is no major highway on the island. Before the road was built between Portsmouth and Roseau, people had to take boats which took several hours from one way to the other. Now, it takes about one hour to drive from Portsmouth to Roseau. Minibus services form the major public transport system. It costs about 1 EC to go anywhere in Portsmouth area, about 8 EC from Portsmouth to Roseau (2006).

Education

The island has its own state college, formerly named Clifton Dupigny Community College. Some Dominicans get scholarships from the Cuban government to attend medical school in Cuba. Others go to the University of the West Indies or to schools in the United Kingdom, the United States or other countries for higher education. Ross University, a medical school, is located at Portsmouth. In 2006, another medical school called All Saints University of Medicine opened in temporary facilities in Loubiere, with a permanent campus being constructed in Grand Bay.

Nature

Dominica is blessed with the most pristine wilderness in the Caribbean. Originally, it was protected by sheer mountains which led the European powers to build ports and agricultural settlements on other islands. More recently, the enlighted citizens of this island have sought to preserve its spectacular natural beauty and discouraged the type of high impact tourism which has damaged nature in most of the Caribbean.

Visitors can find large tropical forests, including one which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, hundreds of streams, spectacular coastlines and coral reefs.

The Sisserou parrot is Dominica's national bird and is indigenous to its mountain forests.

See also

  • Communications in Dominica
  • Foreign relations of Dominica
  • Military of Dominica
  • Transportation in Dominica
  • Music of Dominica
  • List of people of Dominica
  • The Scout Association of Dominica

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ Morne Trois Pitons National Park by World Heritage Sites
  2. ↑ The Carib Indians
  3. ↑ Pickford, John From Our Own Correspondent BBC Radio 4. First broadcast 31 March 2007. Dominica report 17'49" - 22'55"
  4. ↑ Harris, Ena. "Dominica as Spiritual Landscape: Representations of Nature and Ritual in Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea and Marie-Elena John's Unburnable". Trajectories of Freedom: Caribbean Societies Past and Present. Abstracts. Biennial Conference 2007, University of the West Indies, Cavehill. (Abstract by Dr Ena Harris of Bard College, NJ, USA).
  5. ↑ Creole for Beginners

Gallery

  • Roseau (Dominica)

  • Rainforest near Belles (Dominica)

  • Boiling Lake (Dominica)

  • Indian River (Dominica)

  • Portsmouth (Dominica)

  • Anse Du Me (Dominica)

  • Woodford Hill Bay (Dominica)

  • Volcanic rock (Dominica)

  • Carib Territory (Dominica)

  • Musicians (Dominica)

  • Middleham Falls, Dominica

External links

Government

News and media

  • Dominica Broadcasting Corporation
  • QFM Radio - West Indies Communications Enterprise Limited, Dominica
  • Kairi FM - Radio station on Dominica
  • The Chronicle - Weekly newspaper of Dominica, published online by News Dominica

Tourism

Organizations and directories


Countries of North America
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