Dominica Hotels Dive Resorts and Bed and Breakfasts

Dominica

Commonwealth of Dominica

Geography
Area: 754 sq. km. (290 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Roseau (population 14,500).
Terrain: Mountainous volcanic island with rainforest cover.
Climate: Tropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Dominican (Dom-i-nee-can).
Population (2005): 72,000.
Annual growth rate (2005): 0.8%.
Ethnic groups: Mainly of African descent, mixed Black and European, Syrian and some Carib Amerindians.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant (Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Baptist), Islam, Baha'I, Rastafarianism, Anglican, Jehovah's Witnesses, Nazarene, Church of Christ, and Brethren Christian Churches.
Languages: English (official); a French patois is widely spoken.
Education (2005): Adult literacy--94%.
Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--13/1,000. Life expectancy--men 72 years; women 77.9 years.
Work force (2005): 24,370.
Unemployment (2005): 13.1%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy; republic within the 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 Labour Party (incumbent), United Workers Party, and Dominica Freedom Party.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
GDP (2005): $283.6 million.
GDP growth rate (2006): 4.0%.
Per capita GDP (2005): $3,790.
Inflation (2005): 4.6%.
Natural resources: timber, water (hydropower), copper.
Agriculture (10% of GDP in 2005): Products--bananas, citrus, coconuts, cocoa, herbal oils and extracts.
Manufacturing (3% of GDP in 2005): Types--agricultural processing, soap and other coconut-based products, apparel.
Trade (2005): Exports--$41.0 million (merchandise) and $82.0 million (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (27.8%), Jamaica (12.7%), Antigua and Barbuda (11.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (9.0%), and Saint Lucia (6.8%). Imports--$165 million (merchandise) and $49 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (36.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (20.5%), China (19.4%), European Union (13.4%), and Japan (4.6%).

PEOPLE
Almost all Dominicans are descendants of African slaves brought in by colonial planters in the 18th century. Dominica is the only island in the eastern Caribbean to retain some of its pre-Columbian population--the Carib Indians--about 3,000 of whom live on the island's east coast. The population growth rate is very low, due primarily to emigration to more prosperous Caribbean Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.


English is the official language; however, because of historic French domination, the most widely spoken dialect is a French patois. Nearly 80% of the population is Catholic. In recent years, a number of Protestant churches have been established.

Dominica