Dominica
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Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic.
Commonwealth 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


Capital
(and largest city) Roseau
15°18N, 61°23W
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 (201st1)
- 2003 census 71,727
- Density 105 /km² (95th)
272 /sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $468 million (177th)
- Per capita $6,520 (91st)
HDI (2004) 0.793 (medium) (68th)
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Time zone (UTC4)
- Summer (DST) (UTC4)
Internet TLD .dm
Calling code +1-767
1 Rank based on 2005 UN estimate.
The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as Dominica (French: Dominique), is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. It is distinct and separate from the Dominican Republic, another Caribbean nation. The name is pronounced [dmnik] (dom-in-EE-cuh). In Latin, its name means "Sunday", which was the day on which it was discovered by Columbus.

Dominica's pre-Columbian name was Wai'tu kubuli, which means "Tall is her body"[citation needed]. 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.

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, 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
Main article: History of Dominica
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 re-took 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.

Economy
Main article: Economy of Dominica
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, 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 1,000 students mainly from USA and Canada live and study in Portsmouth.


Market day occurs each weekend in Roseau.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.