Dominica is a Caribbean Island. Belonging to the Lesser Antilles group, it has an area of 754 km2. It is located between the islands of Guadalupe in the north and Martinique in the south, being bathed on the east coast by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west coast by the Caribbean Sea. The most important cities are Roseau, the capital, with 20,200 residents (2004), Portsmouth (3,600 residents), Marigot (2,900 residents), Atkinson (2,500 residents) and Mahaut (2,400 residents). The island is of volcanic origin and extremely mountainous.
The climate is tropical, moderated by NE winds, with abundant rainfall throughout almost the entire year.
Economy
Dominica is one of the poorest nations in the Caribbean. This situation is due, in large part, to the number of hurricanes that devastate the region. In 1979, for example, a violent hurricane almost completely devastated the island. About 75% of the population was displaced and that year’s agricultural exports were completely destroyed.
Although the national economy recovered in the 1980s, thanks to aid from the USA, the UK, Canada and the United Nations, per capita income remains very low. Agriculture is the most important economic sector. The dominant crops are bananas, yams, cassava, coconut, orange and cinnamon. Exports, especially to the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Italy, include bananas, coconut oil and fruit juices. Imports consist of food products and metals that come almost exclusively from the USA. The extractive industry is reduced to pumice and volcanic ash. The industry produces coconut soap, copra oil, rum, clothing, furniture, paintings and cardboard boxes.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per capita, (metric tons, 1999) is 1.1.
Population
The population is 68 910 residents (est. 2006), which corresponds to a population density of 91.55 residents/km2. The birth and death rates are, respectively, 15.27% and 6.73%. Average life expectancy is 74.87 years. The value of the Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.776 and the value of the Gender-adjusted Development Index (IDG) was not assigned (2001). The main ethnic groups are black, with 91%, and mestizo, with 6%. The religion with the greatest expression is Catholic. The official language is English, although Patois is also spoken, a dialect of French origin.
History
Dominica’s great geostrategic position has sparked several conflicts between Britain and France. In 1805 the French left the island with an English compensation of £ 12,000. In 1978 the island became an independent member of the Commonwealth and created its own constitution. In 1981 the political life of the territory was shaken by two coups d’état. But stability has returned and the country has become a multi-party republic in which the prime minister rules with a legislative assembly.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Dominica, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Dominica. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Dominica
See the political and shaded relief maps of this island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Has a combined map of Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
