Dominica - General Facts and Information

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GEOGRAPHY & LOCATION

Dominica, known as the “Nature Isle,” is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands. It is located north of Martinique and to the south of Guadeloupe with an area of 289.5 Sq. miles (790sq. km, 29 miles long (49km) and 16 miles wide at it’s widest. Dominica has an extensive unspoilt rainforest and 365 rivers and waterfalls. Its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world.

OUR GOVERNMENT

Dominica’s type of government is parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the President who is appointed by the Prime Minister following consultation with the leader of the opposition. The Prime Minister is the head of government and in that capacity is the chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from a group composed of the elected members of the country’s unicameral parliament and senators appointed by the Prime Minister.

OUR PEOPLE

The population of Dominica is estimated at over 69000. Dominica’s rich culture comes from its mix of English, French, African, and Carib peoples. This is evident in the food, music, dance, language, and hospitality. On the east coast of the island lies the home of over 3000 Caribs. Here you will experience the true culture of Dominica replete with indigenous craft, stories and legends and old customs and beliefs. English is the first language of Dominica; however, a French based Creole is widely spoken by residents.

CLIMATE

Due to Dominica’s topography and vegetation, the climate and temperatures can vary drastically dependent upon the season, or one’s location/altitude on the island. Generally temperatures can vary as much as 10 degrees-33 degrees C/50 degrees-92 degrees F, from the mountain slopes at night to the coastline at midday. Dominica’s rainfall patterns vary as well, depending where on the island one is. Rainfall in the interior can be as high as 300 inches per year with the wettest months being July to November and the driest being February to May.

CURRENCY

The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the currency used locally. At the banks you will get EC$2.67 per US$1 cash, and EC$2.68 per US$1 travelers’ cheques. United States dollar, British Pounds and the Euro currency are acceptable everywhere on the island. Major credit cards are accepted at most shops.

Flora and Fauna

Lush rainforest, towering peaks, rivers, waterfalls, exotic flowers and birds all add to the natural beauty of Dominica. Dominica’s national flower is the Bwa Carib (Sabinea carinalis). There are many species of Orchids on the island, and fern species number in the hundreds. Begonias, gingers, heliconias and fruit trees are also in abundance on the island.

Dominica’s national bird the Imperial (Amazona imperialis) - known locally as the Sisserou - and the Red-necked or Jaco/Jacquot parrot (Amazona arausiaca) are two parrots found nowhere else. There are also over 27 species of birds such as hawks, herons and hummingbirds. The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) and the Magnificent Frigate bird (Fregata magnificens) can also been seen on the island.

Apart from marine mammals, there are two large mammals of note in Dominica: the agouti and the manicou (a kind of opossum).In the reptile department, we have iguana, a large and noisy frog known locally as crapaud or Mountain Chicken (because of its taste), and several species of snake (none poisonous) the largest of which is the boa constrictor. In the air bats abound, and there are over 55 species of butterfly.

The waters surrounding Dominica are filled with Barjacks, horse–eye jacks, crevalle jacks, cero and occasional barracuda. Squid and huge stoplight parrotfish, slipper lobster, crabs and morays, red heart urchins, sea cucumbers, sting rays, spotted snake eels, and the rare and elusive batfish can all be found by those adventurous enough to dive in these waters.

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