1. Brief History of Dominica

Dominica was discovered November 3, 1493 by Columbus on his second voyage to the New World. He found the island inhabited by warlike Carib Indians, who in the 14th century had expelled or exterminated the indigenous Arawak Indians. Because of prevailing winds and currents, Spanish ships frequently landed on Dominica during the 16th century, but fierce resistance by the Caribs daunted the Spanish and discouraged efforts at settlement. Almost all 69,000 Dominicans are descendants of African slaves imported by planters in the 18th century. Dominica is the only island in the eastern Caribbean to retain a colony of its pre-Columbian population, the Carib Indians, about 3,500 of whom live in a reserve on the island's east coast. The population growth rate is low, due primarily to emigration to other Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

2. Location

Dominica is the most northerly and largest of the Windward Islands, situated between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. The island has a total landmass of 750 sq km.

3. Geography

Geographically, Dominica is distinctive in many ways. The country has one of the most rugged landscapes in the Caribbean, covered by a largely unexploited, multi-layered rain forest. It is also among the earth's most rain-drenched lands, and the water runoff forms cascading rivers and natural pools. The island, home to rare species of wildlife, is considered by many as a beautiful, unspoiled tropical preserve. According to a popular West Indian belief, Dominica is the only New World territory that Columbus would still recognize.

Dominica is the largest and most northerly of the Windward Islands. The island faces the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. Its nearest neighbors are the French islands of Guadeloupe, some forty-eight kilometers north, and Martinique, about forty kilometers south. Oblong-shaped and slightly smaller than New York City, Dominica is 750 square kilometers in area, 47 kilometers in length, and 29 kilometers in width. Roseau, the nation's capital and major port, is favorably situated on the sheltered, southwestern coast.

Geologically, Dominica is part of the rugged Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. The country's central spine, a northwest-southeast axis of steep volcanic slopes and deep gorges, generally varies in elevation from 300 meters to 1,400 meters above sea level. Several east-west trending mountain spurs extend to the narrow coastal plain, which is studded with sea cliffs and has level stretches no wider than 2,000 meters. The highest peak is Morne Diablatins, at 1,447 meters; Morne Trois Pitons, with an elevation of 1,423 meters, lies farther south and is the site of the national park.

Dominica's rugged surface is marked by its volcanic past. Rock formations are mainly volcanic andesite and rhyolite, with fallen boulders and sharp-edged protrusions peppering slope bases. The light- to dark-hued clayey and sandy soils, derived from the rocks and decomposed vegetation, are generally fertile and porous. Only a few interior valleys and coastal strips are flat enough for soil accumulations of consequence, however. Although scores of mostly mild seismic shocks were recorded in 1986, volcanic eruptions ceased thousands of years ago. Sulfuric springs and steam vents, largely concentrated in the central and southern parts of the island, remain active, however. One of the largest springs, Boiling Lake, is located in the national park.

Dominica is water-rich with swift-flowing highland streams, which cascade into deep gorges and form natural pools and crater lakes. The streams are not navigable, but many are sources of hydroelectric power. Trafalgar Falls, located near the national park, is one of the most spectacular sites on the island. The principal rivers flowing westward into the Caribbean are the Layou and the Roseau, and the major one emptying eastward into the Atlantic is the Toulaman. The largest crater lake, called Boeri, is located in the national park.

Dominica has a tropical wet climate with characteristically warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. Excessive heat and humidity are tempered somewhat by a steady flow of the northeast trade winds, which periodically develop into hurricanes. The steep interior slopes also alter temperatures and winds. Temperature ranges are slight. Average daytime temperatures generally vary from 26°C in January to 32°C in June. Diurnal ranges are usually no greater than 3°C in most places, but temperatures dipping to 13°C on the highest peaks are not uncommon.

Most of the island's ample supply of water is brought by the trade winds. Although amounts vary with the location, rain is possible throughout the year, with the greatest monthly totals recorded from June through October. Average yearly rainfall along the windward east coast frequently exceeds 500 centimeters, and exposed mountainsides receive up to 900 centimeters, among the highest accumulations in the world. Totals on the leeward west coast, however, are only about 180 centimeters per year. Humidities are closely tied to rainfall patterns, with the highest values occurring on windward slopes and the lowest in sheltered areas. Relative humidity readings between 70 percent and 90 percent have been recorded in Roseau.

4. Climate

Dominica's climate is tropical with an average temperature of 27C. Dry season is January to April. Most of the rainfall is between June and December. Hurricane season in Dominica is from June to November each year. Dominica has a Disaster Preparedness Office, which monitors all natural disasters and undertakes preparedness and prepares public awareness programmes to inform persons of any pending disasters. The significant hurricane, which hit Dominica in recent years, was Hurricane David in 1979.

5. Rainfall

Certain parts of Dominic have been described as some of the wettest places on the face of the earth. Yet, despite this excessive rainfall some other areas, particularly on the west coast, are affected by the annual dry season, which often creates conditions for bush fires. The dry season runs from February to May. In Dominica, rainfall varies from about 50 inches along parts of the west coast, to over 300 inches in the interior. The rainfall is seasonal, with marked dry season between January and May, and peaking between July and October. It is estimated that Dominica receives up to 10 times more rainfall than is observed for the general region.

6. People

Based on the 2001 census the population of Dominica is 69,625, of which 3,000 are Indigenous people. The balance of the population is of Afro-Caribbean descendants. The growth rate of the population is registered at -0.2% with a workforce of 2811 (inclusive of both sexes).

7. Language

English is the official language of the country. However, many locals speak a French Creole remnant of our colonization by France.

8. Business Hours

Private Sector operating hours: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m Mondays to Fridays

Government operating hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Mondays

8:00 am – 4:00 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays

Bank Hours: 8:00 a.m- 2:00 p.m Monday to Thursdays

8:00 a.m- 5:00 p.m Fridays

Supermarkets operating hours are: 8:00 a.m- 7:00 p.m on Mondays- Friday

8:00 a.m-8:00 p.m on Saturdays

9. Economic Statistics

Contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP%) in 2004

Agriculture   17.67%

Manufacturing   6.52%

Tourism (Hotel and Restaurant)   2.63%

Banking and Insurance   13.68%

Construction   7.48%

Real Estate and Housing   3.86%

10. Currency

The Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) determines Monetary and exchange rate policy in Dominica. The ECCB is responsible for the entire Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), of which Dominica is a member. The Eastern Caribbean Currency maintains a stable and fixed exchange rate pegged at EC $2.67 = US$1.00. The US dollar is accepted at most businesses.

11. Airport Departure Tax

Non Nationals EC$55.00/US$21.00

Nationals EC$45.00/US$18.00

Children under 12 are exempt.

12. Time

Our time zone is Atlantic Standard Time – one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

13. Entry requirements

Effective January 2006 all U.S Nationals will require a valid passport. A birth certificate with a raised seal and a valid driver’s license will no longer be sufficient to re enter the U.S. French Nationals may visit for up to two (2) weeks with I D cards. A return or onward ticket will also be required from all visitors.

14. Visas

For citizens of many Western and regional countries, Dominica maintains a fairly open visa regime for visits to the country lasting less than 21 days. However, nationals of most non-Western countries require a Dominican consular visa stamped in a passport.

Being a small country, Dominica maintains only a few overseas missions, but visas can be obtained through British High Commissions abroad where a Dominican embassy or consulate is not present.

Citizens from selected countries do not require pre-approval from a Dominican consulate to enter Dominica for a visit of up to six months and can merely arrive at an entry point and obtain a visit visitors visa stamp.

Nationalities that Require No Pre-approval to Enter Dominica for up to 21 Days:

Argentina Germany Japan Norway United Kingdom

Belgium Greece Luxembourg Portugal United States

Costa Rica Ireland Malta South Korea Venezuela

Denmark Israel Mexico Spain

France Italy Netherlands Sweden

15. Form of Government

Dominica is a democratic State, which gained full independence on November 3, 1978. All governments have been elected through a transparent and democratic process. Dominica has a unicameral House of Assembly with 30 members, of which 21 are elected representatives, and 9 appointed senators (5 by ruling party and 4 by the opposition). Elections are held every five years, with universal suffrage of adults being 18 years. The House of Assembly elects the President who can serve for not more than two terms of five years each.

The President appoints the Prime Minister, who consults the President in appointing other Ministers of Government.

There are three major political parties in Dominica:

The Dominica Labour Party headed by Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit.

The United Workers Party headed by Honourable Earl Williams.

The Dominica Freedom Party headed by Honourable Charles Savarin.

The present government is made up of the Dominica Labour Party and the Dominica Freedom Party.

Last Election: 2005

Next Election: 2010

Head of State: The President- His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas J.O. Liverpool

Head of Government: The Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit.

16. Diving in Dominica

In the January TOP 100 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine Dominica has been rated as follows:

# 1 Top Small Animals

#1 Top Marine Life

#1 Healthiest Marine Environment

#3 Top Dive Destination

#5 Top Wall Dive Destination

#5 Top Snorkeling.

18. Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Maintain the unspoilt nature

Leave Dominica green, clean and growing

Drive on the left side of the road

Inquire about approved rates for tours, transport and hotels – it will add to the enjoyment of your visit

Smile and meet local people – they want to know about you, as much as you want to know about them

Use an official guide or licenced taxi to enjoy Dominica

Use appropriate shoes and clothing when hiking

Spot over 160 varieties of birds – some are seasonal

Don’ts

Go to the Import hard drugs or purchase/use illegal substances – its is against the law and violators will be persecuted

Camp in our forests – it is illegal due to forest conservation requirements

Litter or discard rubbish on beaches, roads, or seas

Go diving alone

Give sweets or money to children – they know it is wrong and so should you

Remove any form of flora or fauna from national parks – it is against the law and violators will be fined

Use tour guides who are not certified by the Ministry of Tourism

Boiling Lake without an official guide

Take photographs of individuals without their permission

Use boats with outboard motors when taking an Indian River boat ride

Forget to come back to Dominica