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DOMINICAN Facts & Figures

Size: 272 square miles

Population: 72,660

Capital: Roseau

Currency: East Carribean Dollar

Weather / Climate:

The island's climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds and heavy rainfall.

Dominicahas 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 (78.8 °F) in January to 32 °C (89.6 °F) in June. Diurnal ranges are usually no greater than 3 °C (5.4 °F) in most places, but temperatures dipping to 13 °C (55.4 °F) 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 5,000 mm (196.9 in), and exposed mountainsides receive up to 9,000 mm (354.3 in), among the highest accumulations in the world. Totals on the leeward west coast, however, are only about 1,800 mm (70.9 in) 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.

Hurricanes and severe winds, most likely to occur during the wettest months, occasionally are devastating. The most recent hurricanes of note were David and Frederic in August 1979 and Allen in August 1980. The 1979 hurricanes caused over 40 deaths, 2,500 injuries, and extensive destruction of housing and crops. Many agricultural commodities were destroyed during the 1980 storm, and about 25 percent of the banana crop was destroyed by strong winds in 1984.

Dominicais especially vulnerable to hurricanes as the island is located in what is referred to as the hurricane region. In 1979, Dominica was hit directly by Category 5 Hurricane David, causing widespread and extreme damage. On August 17, 2007, Hurricane Dean, a Category 1 at the time, hit the island. A mother and her seven-year-old son died when a landslide caused by the heavy rains fell onto their house. In another incident two people were injured when a tree fell on their house. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit estimated that 100 to 125 homes were damaged, and that the agriculture sector was extensively damaged, in particular the banana crop.

Taken from wikipedia

DOMINICAN languages

English is the official language of Dominica and is universally spoken and understood. However, because of historic French occupation during different times in history, and the island's location between the two French-speaking departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe, Antillean Creole, based on French, is spoken by many people on the island, especially from the older generation. Because of a decline in its usage by the younger generation, initiatives have been set up in an effort to increase usage and promote this unique part of the nation's history and culture. The dialect of Dominica also includes Cocoy, along with Creole—French-based patois. Cocoy, or Kockoy, is a mix of Leeward Island English-Creole and Dominican Creole. It is mainly spoken in the north-eastern villages of Marigot and Wesley.^[21] As a result of this admixture of languages and heritage, Dominica is a member of both the English-speaking Commonwealth and the French-speaking La Francophonie.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica

DOMINICAN culture

With few natural resources and a fledgling tourist industry, Dominica is attempting to reduce its reliance on bananas, traditionally its main export earner. The trade has faced stiffer competition since the European Union was forced by the World Trade Organisation to phase out preferential treatment for producers from former colonies.

Dominica's natural beauty was originally enjoyed by the Carib Indians (some of whose descendants remain). They made the island their home in the 14th century, before it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The Caribs called their sunny isle Waitukubuli, meaning "Tall is her body", and some Carib descendants remain in Dominica today - the last surviving community on earth of this indigenous group.

Following Columbus' arrival, the island became known as Dominica - taking its name from the day he landed (Doménica is Italian for Sunday). France colonized in the 1600s, before, in 1805, the island became a British possession, remaining under British rule until the late 1960s. Since 1978, the island has enjoyed full independence although self-rule has been somewhat stormy, with two coup attempts by leftist members of the island's Defence Force, during the early 1980s.

Politically, the early 2000s proved eventful, with two Prime Ministers - Roosevelt Douglas and Pierre Charles - both dying while in office. Since 2004, Roosevelt Skerrit has been leading the country and remains a popular figure. In recent years, Dominica has developed a close, if controversial, relationship with Japan, which has provided extensive development aid including a modern fisheries complex. In exchange, Dominica now supports Japan's much criticised efforts to undermine international controls on whaling. Nevertheless, given the island's serious economic problems, the deal enjoys wide popular support.

A mountainous, forested island with a year-round tropical climate, national parks, rare indigenous birds and the second-largest boiling lake in the world, Dominica is potentially a great tourist attraction. But poor infrastructure and the absence of a large airport has impeded the industry's growth. The country is also vulnerable to hurricanes. Plans to build an airport capable of taking large jet aircraft have raised concerns that an increase in visitor numbers and the rise of eco-tourism would damage the finely-balanced environment.

Offshore finance has had its problems too. For a time, Dominica was included on a list of countries deemed to be non-cooperative in the fight against money-laundering. The government tightened up banking rules and set up a financial intelligence unit. Dominica has a relatively low crime rate for the Caribbean. Although it is among the poorest countries in the region, its differences in wealth distribution are not as marked as in the larger Caribbean islands.

Dominicais a medley of brooding volcanic peaks, gushing mountain streams, dense forests, quiet lakes and spouting geysers; this is a diverse and beautiful land. Given its natural assets and warm and welcoming locals, Dominica should be a bustling tourism hotspot. A marked lack of pumping nightlife and no direct flights to Dominica from the UK means it remains off the radar for many travellers, but those partial to hiking amid thick tropical rainforest and gazing at bubbling lakes, will find this sunny green isle has many charms.

The population is almost entirely Christian, with Roman Catholic majority.

Casual dress is normal. Evening clothes are informal but conservative. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant social influences. Visitors should ask before taking photographs of local people.

Holidays

· 01 January – New Year's Day

· April – Good Friday

· April – Easter Monday

· May – Bank Holiday

· May – Whit Monday

· August – August Monday

· 03 November – Independence Day

· 04 November – Community Service Day

· 25 December – Christmas Day

· 26 December – Boxing Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

DOMINICAN 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 and universally understood; however, because of historic French domination, Antillean Creole, a French-lexified creole language, is also widely spoken. About 80% of the population is Catholic. In recent years, a number of Protestant churches have been established.

Population

71,540 (July 2000 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 years:29% (male 10,556; female 10,254)

15-64 years:63% (male 23,151; female 21,984)

65 years and over:8% (male 2,294; female 3,301) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.08% (2006 est.)

Birth rate

18.27 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Nationality

noun:Dominican(s)

adjective:Dominican

Ethnic Groups

Black 90%, Mulatto 8 %, Carib Amerindian 2%

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Dominica

DOMINICAN food

The cuisine is rooted in creole techniques with local produce flavored by spices found on the island. ^[1]

Foods

Creole food is prevalent on restaurant menus, including callaloo soup, made from tender leaves found at the center of the dasheen plant.

Roadside stands and small-town restaurants typically serve fried chicken, fish-and-chips and "tasty bakes" along with cold drinks. The island produces numerous fresh fruits, including bananas, coconuts, papayas, guavas, pineapples, and mangoes which can be eaten as dessert and be pureed or liquefied.^[2]

Dominica's national dish is the mountain chicken, which are snares of the legs of a frog called the Capaud, which is endemic to Dominica and Montserrat. Found at higher elevations, it's a protected species and can only be caught between autumn and February.

Drink

Rivers flowing down from the mountains provide Dominica with an abundant supply of freshwater.

Dominica tea culture has a long history. Many traditional medicinal teas have origins with the original Carib culture of the island. Dominica brews its own beer under the Kubuli label.

Taken from wikipedia and googleimage

Places to go in DOMINICA

Although Dominica's duty-free shopping scene isn't as established as many other Caribbean isles, new outlets are planned; pick up cut-price jewellery, tobacco, sunglasses and clothing. Elsewhere, excellent buys include local handicrafts such as hats, bags and rugs made from vetiver grass joined with wild banana strands. Pick up bags made from two layers of reeds stained by burying underground at the Carib Reserve Crafts Centre.

Dominica's after-dark revelry centres on live music joints and bars, together with a growing number of cafés and dance halls. La Robe Creole in Roseau is a favourite hangout and has nightly dance music and live bands at weekends. Popular local discos include The Warehouse, Scorpio, and Doubles International. Folklore evenings with authentic costumes and music run throughout high season - ask your hotel for tips on what's on.

Explore Roseau, Dominica's capital, boasting friendly locals and sea views. Join in the hubbub of downtown and then relax in the Botanical Gardens. Roseau's well-maintained botanic gardens provide a green escape in the busy city. The grounds have been battered by several hard-hitting tropical storms, such as 1979's hurricane David which brought much devastation; a bus which was crushed by a tree in the hurricane remains as a powerful reminder.

With February comes Carnival season (Mas Dominik): two weeks of celebrations culminating in a wild, colourful costumed parade. Revel in dazzling sequins, feather-topped masks and glitzy-ritzy skimpy dresses; watch street jugglers, prancing musicians and marching drummers amidst cheering crowds of merrymakers.

On the Cabrits Peninsula find the fine ruins of Fort Shirley and Fort George dating back to the 18th century. Visit the small museum near the entrance which features collections of artefacts discovered on the site, and explore the jungle-lined hiking trails around the area.

Discover the indigenous lands of Carib Indian Territory, home to the only remaining Carib community in the Caribbean. Still renowned for their canoe-building skills, the Caribs' long, pointed vessels are hewn from a single trunk of a gommier tree. Visitors may be able to witness a craftsman at work using age-old traditional carving tools. Visit the traditional village of Kalinago Barana Aute for traditional arts and crafts.

Central Forest Reserve, this beautiful reserve is home to a vast population of gommier trees whose wood has provided building and craft material to the Carib peoples for hundreds of years; drive through the reserve and enjoy the surrounding greenery, lakes and rivers.

L'Escalier Tête Chien (which in French Creole means Stairway of the snakes head) is an impressive rock formation jutting out into the Atlantic, and is found in the South of the Carib territory.

Hike in Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Stretch your legs amid the lush greenery, towering trees and exotic foliage found along the Morne Trois Pitons National Park's hiking trails. Emerald Pool waters appear glimmering green in the leafy light as the cascading waterfall crashes into the deep pool below; this is one of the most popular points in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to the Boiling Lake: a steaming basin of bubbling liquid found at an altitude of 2,500ft (762m). It can only be reached by foot, and it is highly recommended that anyone undertaking the 7-mile journey from Laudat is accompanied by a guide.

Explore the hinterland's hidden reaches by a jeep safari tour and experience a tranquil contrast to bustling Roseau. Scour forests for bird-life and marvel at vibrant tropical blooms nestled amongst rock crevices and moss-covered patchy scrub.

Striking black sand beaches lie along Dominica's east coast and sections of the island's west coast. While these dark strips of coastline may not be as inviting to sunbathers as the gleaming golden stretches also found on the island, they are without doubt a dramatic sight to behold.

Dominica's beaches vary in quality, but there are many seaside spots perfect for diving beneath the waves. If salty sea water isn't your bag, head to the Layou on the west coast for a freshwater dip. The clear warm Dominican waters are perfect for scuba-diving and snorkelling, especially in the popular water-sports area of Soufrière where dramatic volcanic cliffs tumble into the sea. Visibility is usually up to 80m (263ft) with some of the best, lesser-known snorkelling spots reached by kayaking along the coast.

The waters surrounding Dominica are teeming with impressive wildlife, and they are especially renowned for their prime whale watching; sperm whales, pilot whales and pygmy whales all glide around the Dominican coast, as do Atlantic and spotted dolphins.

Trafalgar Falls, Dominica's most popular waterfalls are incredibly beautiful and many flock to see the waters tumbling down the rocks. After heavy rains the waters can get pretty powerful and the rocks dangerously slippery, so take care if you decide to take a dip.

Soufriere Sulphur Springs, see this otherworldly landscape, largely absent of plant life owing to the sulphuric fumes and gushes of hot water. A pool has been built at the bottom of the valley for bathers eager to bath in the warm waters.

Taken from www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in DOMINICA

In 2008, Dominica had one of the lowest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rates of Eastern Caribbean states.^[15][16] The country nearly had a financial crisis in 2003 and 2004, but Dominica's economy grew by 3.5% in 2005 and 4.0% in 2006, following a decade of poor performance. Growth in 2006 was attributed to gains in tourism, construction, offshore and other services, and some sub-sectors of the banana industry. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently praised the Government of Dominica for its successful macroeconomic reforms. The IMF also pointed out remaining challenges, including the need for further reductions in public debt, increased financial sector regulation, and market diversification.^[5]

Bananas and other agriculture dominate Dominica's economy, and nearly one-third of the labour force works in agriculture. This sector, however, is highly vulnerable to weather conditions and to external events affecting commodity prices. In 2007, Hurricane Dean caused significant damage to the agricultural sector as well as the country's infrastructure, especially roads. In response to reduced European Union (EU) banana trade preferences, the government has diversified the agricultural sector by promoting the production of coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, cut flowers, and exotic fruits such as mango, guava, and papaya. Dominica has also had some success in increasing its manufactured exports, primarily soap.^[5]

Dominicais mostly volcanic and has few beaches; therefore, tourism has developed more slowly than on neighboring islands. Nevertheless, Dominica's mountains, rainforests, freshwater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots make it an attractive eco-tourism destination. Cruise ship stopovers have increased following the development of modern docking and waterfront facilities in Roseau, the capital.^[5] Out of 22 Caribbean islands tracked, Dominica had the fewest visitors in 2008 (55,800 or 0.3% of the total). This was about half as many as visited Haiti.^[17]

Dominica's currency is the East Caribbean Dollar.

Dominicais a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. Dominica also belongs to the predominantly English-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).^[5]

Dominicaoffers tax-free status to companies locating from abroad. It is not known how many companies benefit from the tax-free status because of the strict confidentiality the government enforces, although it is known many Internet businesses utilise Dominica for this reason.

Taken from wikipedia