Dominica

Dominica, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean Sea. It belongs to the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The capital city is Roseau, located on the west side of the island. Dominica covers an area of 750 km² (290 sq mi), with its highest point being Morne Diablotins at 1,448 m (4,751 ft).

The island has a rich history. It was first settled by the Arawak people from South America, later replaced by the Kalinago. Christopher Columbus saw the island in 1493. Europeans, mainly the French, colonized it from the late 1600s until 1763. After the Seven Years' War, Great Britain took control and made English the official language. Dominica became an independent republic in 1978.

Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dominica is famous for its beautiful natural surroundings. It is one of the youngest islands in the region, still shaped by geothermal-volcanic activity. Highlights include the world’s second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake, and lush rainforests full of rare plants and animals. The sisserou parrot, Dominica’s national bird, lives only here and appears on the national flag, which is one of the few in the world to include the color purple. Dominica belongs to groups such as the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, and the Organization of American States.

Etymology

The Kalinago people called the island Wai‘tu kubuli, meaning "Tall is her body". They likely thought of the island as a goddess, similar to how some cultures see the Earth as a mother.

Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain, named the island Dominica. He chose this name because he first saw the island on a Sunday in November 1493. The name comes from the Latin words for "day of the Lord", which means Sunday. Some people in Dominica think the island should be called Waitukubuli instead, to better reflect their local identity. Others feel that changing the name would be too costly.

History

Main article: History of Dominica

Geologic history

Dominica rose out of the sea about 26 million years ago during the Oligocene Epoch. It was the last Caribbean island formed by volcanic activity along the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc.

Pre-colonial period and early European contact

Before Europeans arrived, the Kalinago people lived on Dominica. They may have pushed out an earlier group called the Arawak, though some stories say they lived together. In 1493, Christopher Columbus saw the island on his second voyage and named it Dominica, meaning "Sunday" in Latin because he spotted it on a Sunday.

French colony

Spain didn’t succeed in colonizing Dominica. In 1632, France claimed the island but didn’t settle it right away. By 1690, French woodcutters from Martinique and Guadeloupe began setting up camps to cut timber. They brought enslaved Africans to work. In 1727, France made Dominica an official colony and started growing coffee. The island was taken by Britain in 1761 during the Seven Years' War and became a British colony in 1763.

British colony

Britain established a small colony in 1805. Enslaved people were brought from Africa to work on plantations growing sugar and coffee. After slavery ended in 1833, many formerly enslaved people gained freedom and political rights. By 1838, Dominica became the first British West Indies colony with an elected legislature controlled mostly by people of African descent.

Early 20th century

During World War I and World War II, many Dominicans volunteered to fight for Britain. After the West Indies Federation dissolved in 1962, Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom in 1967. It gained full independence as a republic on November 3, 1978, with Patrick John as its first prime minister.

Post-independence

In 1979, political unrest led to the collapse of Prime Minister Patrick John’s government. Oliver Seraphin served as interim prime minister and prepared for elections in 1980. Eugenia Charles became prime minister and was the Caribbean’s first female leader. Her government faced threats, including an attempted takeover in 1981 that was stopped by the FBI.

Charles supported the American invasion of Grenada in 1983. The economy struggled due to falling banana prices, and a new political party, the United Workers’ Party (UWP), formed in 1988. Charles won elections again in 1990 but stepped down in 1993. The UWP won in 1995 under Edison James, who tried to diversify the economy after hurricanes damaged banana crops.

Roosevelt Douglas became prime minister in 2000 but passed away later that year. Pierre Charles took over but also passed away in 2004. Roosevelt Skerrit then became prime minister at age 31, the world’s youngest head of government at the time. He was re-elected multiple times.

In 2015, Tropical Storm Erika caused severe damage, and in 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed 90% of buildings on the island. Dominica won its first Olympic gold medal in 2024 when Thea LaFond took first place in the women’s triple jump at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Dominica

Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, the northernmost of the Windward Islands. It is about 750 square kilometres in size, with lush rainforests and many plants and animals that are found nowhere else. The island has tall, volcanic mountains and a special tropical forest area that was named a World Heritage Site in 1995.

The capital city is Roseau, and most people live along the coast. Dominica often faces strong storms, and some of these storms have caused damage to homes and farms over the years.

Fauna

Dominica is home to 200 different kinds of birds, including two types that are found only on the island. The sisserou parrot is Dominica's national bird and lives only in the island's mountain forests. Another related parrot, called the red-necked parrot, is also only found on Dominica. Both birds are rare and protected.

The island has four kinds of snakes, two of which are only found on Dominica. Dominica also has eleven types of lizards, including two special ones that are only found there. The island is an important place for the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is in danger of disappearing.

The waters around Dominica are home to many whales and dolphins. Some sperm whales live in the area all year. Other animals often seen include spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. This makes Dominica a popular spot for people who enjoy watching whales and dolphins.

Government

Main article: Politics of Dominica

See also: Foreign relations of Dominica

Dominica is a country where the people choose their leaders through voting. The leader of the country is called the president, and the main person in charge of running things is the prime minister. They all work together in a group called the cabinet. There is also a group of people called the House of Assembly, where 21 members are chosen by voters and 9 others help make decisions.

Dominica is special because it is one of the few countries in the Caribbean that is a republic, meaning it does not have a king or queen. Instead, it has a president. Dominica works closely with other nearby countries in groups like the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Military

Dominica does not have a big army. The main group that helps keep safety is the police, which also has a special unit and a coast guard. If there is ever a big problem, the police can help protect the country.

Human rights

In the past, laws in Dominica made it hard for people who loved someone of the same sex to be together. But in 2024, these laws were changed so everyone is treated fairly.

Territorial disputes

Dominica and Venezuela have had a long discussion about a small island called Isla de Aves. In 2006, Dominica’s leader said that this island belongs to Venezuela, so they no longer argued about it.

Administrative divisions

Dominica is divided into 10 parishes.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Dominica

Dominica uses the East Caribbean Dollar as its money. For many years, Dominica had a smaller economy compared to other islands in the Caribbean. Things got tough around 2003 and 2004, but the economy started to grow again in 2005 and 2006. This growth came from more people visiting the island, building new things, and selling things like bananas.

Farming, especially bananas, used to be very important for Dominica. However, bad weather and changes in world prices made this hard. In 2007, Hurricane Dean damaged farms and roads. To cope, the island began growing other crops like coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, and fruits such as mango and papaya. Tourism has also become more important.

Dominica is part of groups that help its economy, like the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which lets many of its products enter the United States without extra taxes. The island is also working to become a place where banks and companies from other countries can do business.

Dominica offers a way for people to become citizens by investing in the island. This has helped bring money for important projects, like building homes that can survive hurricanes and improving healthcare.

Main article: Tourism in Dominica

Dominica is a volcanic island with beautiful mountains, rainforests, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and places to dive. Even though it doesn’t have many sandy beaches, these natural features attract visitors who love nature. The island has been getting more visitors as new facilities have been built in the capital, Roseau. In 2008, Dominica had fewer tourists than any other Caribbean island tracked, but its unique landscape continues to draw people, especially scuba divers.

Infrastructure

Air

Dominica has two airports that are open for use. The main airport is Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM), which has flights from Miami and Newark. It is on the northeast side of the island, about a 45-minute drive from Portsmouth and an hour from the capital, Roseau. The second airport is Canefield Airport (DCF), located about 15 minutes from Roseau on the southwest coast. A new airport, Dominica International Airport, is being built in Wesley and is expected to open in 2026.

Roads

The roads on Dominica mostly follow the coastline and river valleys. The main roads are two-lane highways connecting Roseau to Portsmouth and Douglas Charles Airport. It takes about 45 minutes to drive between Portsmouth and Roseau. These roads were rebuilt between the early 2010s and 2015 with help from China and the European Union. Private minibuses are the main way people travel around the island.

Green energy

Dominica uses several types of clean energy, including hydroelectricity, solar energy, and geothermal energy. After a big storm in 2017, the government decided to invest more in geothermal energy. In March 2018, Dominica joined an agreement to use more solar power.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Dominica

Dominica's population was recorded as 22,649 in a census from June 1844. Most people on Dominica have African roots. There is also a mix of other groups, including people of European, Lebanese, Syrian, and East Asian origins. Dominica is special because it is the only eastern Caribbean island where the native Kalinago people still live. As of 2014, there are over 3,000 Kalinago people living in eight villages on the east coast of Dominica. This area, known as the Kalinago Territory, was granted to them by the British Crown in 1903.

The population of Dominica grows very slowly, mainly because many people move to other countries. The island has a higher number of centenarians (people who live over 100 years) compared to many developed countries. This was studied at Ross University School of Medicine.

Dominica became part of the Leeward Islands in 1832 and fully joined in 1871. In 1902, after a big eruption of the Mount Pelée volcano on nearby Martinique, some people came to Dominica and stayed.

Languages

English is the official language of Dominica and is spoken by everyone. Many people also speak Dominican Creole, a French-based language. This started because of French settlers who came to the island beginning in 1690. Dominican Creole is more common among older people. There is also a dialect called Kokoy, spoken in the villages of Marigot and Wesley. Kokoy is a mix of English and Creole and comes from people who moved from Montserrat and Antigua.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Dominica

Most people on Dominica, about 61.4%, are Catholic. There are also many Protestant churches, including Seventh-day Adventist groups. Other religions practiced on the island include spiritualism, Baháʼí, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Chinese folk religion.

Education in Dominica

Schooling in Dominica is required until secondary school. After primary school, students take an exam to enter secondary school. After five years, they can take an exam called the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate. Some students go on to take an advanced exam after two more years of study. Dominica has its own Dominica State College, and some students attend universities in Cuba, the University of the West Indies, or other countries.

The Dominica Library and Information Service helps citizens with reading and learning. It started in 1843 and has grown to include public libraries, research services, and archives. The old library was damaged in Hurricane Maria in 2018 and is being rebuilt.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Dominica and Music of Dominica

Dominica has a rich history shaped by the Arawaks and Carib (Kalinago) tribes who lived there before European settlers arrived. Today, the remaining Kalinago community lives on the east coast and has its own traditions. The island's culture is a blend of many influences, including African, European, and Caribbean.

Music and dance are very important in Dominica. The island celebrates its independence with traditional songs and dances. Festivals like "Creole in the Park" and the "World Creole Music Festival" showcase local music. Dominica is known for creating the musical style called "Cadence-lypso", which mixes different musical traditions. Other popular music styles include "Jing ping" and "Cadence".

Cuisine

Dominica's food is similar to other Caribbean islands but has its own special touches. Breakfast often includes saltfish and "bakes" (a type of fried dough). Other popular foods are cornmeal porridge, fried fish, and plantains. Meals often feature stews with vegetables and meat, creating rich and flavorful dishes.

Sports

Cricket is a favorite sport on the island. Dominica's athletes have also succeeded in other sports. Jérôme Romain won a bronze medal in triple jump, and Thea LaFond earned a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Other popular sports include netball, basketball, rugby, tennis, and association football.

Media

Dominica has two big newspapers called The Sun and The Chronicle, along with two national television stations. There are also radio stations, such as the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation, and other independent ones that change over time. Mobile phone services are provided by Digicel and FLOW for the island’s wireless users. Older newspapers like The Dominican, The Dominica Guardian, and the Dominica Colonist can be found for free in the Digital Library of the Caribbean.

Notable people

Dominica has been home to many interesting people who have achieved success in different fields. Phyllis Shand Allfrey was a well-known writer, newspaper editor, activist, and politician. Chelsea Connor is a biologist, activist, and birdwatcher. Exile One is a famous music group. Jerelle Joseph is a scientist and academic. Thea LaFond and Chris Lloyd are both athletes, as is Jérôme Romain. Jean Rhys was a celebrated writer. A. C. Shillingford was a successful businessman. Julian Wade played football professionally. Asquith Xavier, born in Dominica but living in Britain, helped end unfair treatment based on skin colour on British Railways in London during the 1960s.