Jump to content

Dominica

Edit links
Coordinates: 15°25′N 61°20′W / 15.417°N 61.333°W / 15.417; -61.333
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from ISO 3166-1:DM)
Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic.

15°25′N 61°20′W / 15.417°N 61.333°W / 15.417; -61.333

Commonwealth of Dominica
Waitukubuli (Island Carib)
Dominik (Dominican Creole French)
Motto: "Apres Bondie, C'est La Ter"[1] (Dominican Creole French)
"Post Deum terra est" (Latin)
"After God is the earth"
Anthem: "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour"
Location of Dominica (circled in red) in the Western Hemisphere
Location of Dominica (circled in red)

in the Western Hemisphere

Capital
and largest city
Roseau
15°18′N 61°23′W / 15.300°N 61.383°W / 15.300; -61.383
Official languagesEnglish
Vernacular
languages		Dominican Creole French
Ethnic groups
(2014[2])
Religion
(2020)
Demonym(s)Dominican
(pronounced /ˌdɒmɪˈniːkən/)
GovernmentUnitary dominant-party parliamentary republic
• President
Sylvanie Burton
Roosevelt Skerrit
Joseph Isaac
LegislatureHouse of Assembly
Independence 
from the United Kingdom
1 March 1967
• Sovereignty and constitution
3 November 1978
Area
• Total
750 km2 (290 sq mi) (174th)
• Water (%)
1.6
Population
• 2021 estimate
72,412[4][5] (186th)
• 2011 census
72,000[6]
• Density
105/km2 (271.9/sq mi) (95th)
GDP (PPP)2018 estimate
• Total
$688 million[7]
• Per capita
$9,726[7]
GDP (nominal)2018 estimate
• Total
$485 million[7]
• Per capita
$7,860[7]
HDI (2022)Increase 0.740[8]
high (97th)
CurrencyEast Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Time zoneUTC–4 (AST)
Drives onleft
Calling code+1-767
ISO 3166 codeDM
Internet TLD.dm

Dominica (locally /ˌdɒmɪˈniːkə/ dom-in-EE-kə;[9] UK: US: /ˌdɒmɪˈniːkə/[10][11][12] or /dəˈmɪnɪkə/ ⓘ;[13] Dominican Creole French: Dominik; Kalinago: Waitukubuli), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean.[14] It is part of the Windward Islands chain in the Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. Dominica's closest neighbours are two constituent territories of the European Union, the overseas departments of France, Guadeloupe to the northwest and Martinique to the south-southeast. Dominica comprises a land area of 750 km2 (290 sq mi), and the highest point is Morne Diablotins, at 1,447 m (4,747 ft) in elevation. The population was 71,293 at the 2011 census.[6]

The island was settled by the Arawak arriving from South America in the fifth century. The Kalinago displaced the Arawak by the 15th century. Christopher Columbus is said to have passed the island on Sunday, 3 November 1493. It was later colonised by Europeans, predominantly by the French from the 1690s to 1763. The French trafficked slaves from West Africa to Dominica to work on coffee plantations. Great Britain took possession in 1763 after the Seven Years' War, and it gradually established English as its official language. The island gained independence as a republic in 1978.

Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" for its natural environment.[15] It is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, and is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest hot spring, called Boiling Lake. The island has lush mountainous rainforests and is the home of many rare plants, animals, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall occurs inland. The Sisserou parrot, also known as the Imperial amazon, is critically endangered and found only on Dominica. It is the island's national bird and is featured on the national flag, making Dominica one of only two sovereign nations whose official flag features the color purple.[16][17] The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Etymology

[edit]

The Caribs called the island Wai‘tu kubuli, which means "Tall is her body".[18]

Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain, named the island Dominica, after the Latin term dies Dominica for Sunday, the day on which he first saw it in November 1493.[19]

Dominica's name is pronounced with emphasis on the third syllable,[10][11] following the Spanish pronunciation of its name[20] given to it by Christopher Columbus.

The similar names and the identical demonym with the Dominican Republic has caused some in Dominica to advocate a change in its name to establish its own identity.[21]

History

[edit]
Main article: History of Dominica

Geologic history

[edit]

Dominica first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene era approximately 67 million years ago, making it one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity.[citation needed]

Pre-colonial period and early European contact

[edit]

Dominica's precolonial indigenous inhabitants were the Island Carib people, who are thought to have driven out the previous Arawak population.[19] However, this may be a partial misconception as ancestral Kalinago narratives mention the two groups co existing and intermarrying. The Arawak were not the primary indigenous group. It is believed that before them were a group of paleo-Indians who arrived towards the end of the late Pleistocene period.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus first spotted the island during his second voyage to the Americas. Because he saw the island on a Sunday (November 3, 1493), Columbus named the island Dominica (Latin for 'Sunday').[19] Some Spanish colonisers settled here. But, as European explorers and settlers entered the region, indigenous refugees from surrounding islands settled Dominica and pushed out the Spanish settlers. The Spanish instead focused on their first founded Island of the Americas, Hispaniola, and island shares with Haiti. Hispaniola was later renamed Dominican Republic.

French colony

[edit]
Main article: French West Indies

Spain had little success in colonising Dominica. In 1632, the French Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique claimed it and other "Petites Antilles" for France, but no physical occupation took place.[19] Between 1642 and 1650, French missionary Raymond Breton became the first regular European visitor to the island.

In 1660, the French and English agreed that Dominica and St. Vincent should not be settled, but instead left to the Carib people as neutral territory[19]—but its natural resources attracted expeditions of English and French foresters, who began harvesting timber.[22] In 1690, the French established their first permanent settlements. French woodcutters from Martinique and Guadeloupe began to set up timber camps to supply the French islands with wood, and they gradually became permanent settlers. They brought the first enslaved Africans from West Africa to Dominique, as they called it in French.

In 1715, a revolt of "poor white" smallholders in the north of Martinique, known as La Gaoulé,[23] caused settlers to migrate to southern Dominique, where they set up smallholdings. Meanwhile, French families and others from Guadeloupe settled in the north. In 1727, the first French commander, M. Le Grand, took charge of the island with a basic French government. Dominique formally became a colony of France, and the island was divided into districts or "quarters".[24] The French had already developed plantation agriculture on Martinique and Guadeloupe, where they cultivated sugarcane with enslaved African workers. In Dominique they gradually developed coffee plantations. Because of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the general population came to consist primarily of black-African slaves.

In 1761, during the Seven Years' War in Europe, a British expedition against Dominica led by Andrew Rollo conquered the island, along with several other Caribbean islands. In 1763, France had lost the war and ceded the island to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris.[19] The same year, the British established a legislative assembly, with only European colonists represented. French remained the official language, but Antillean Creole, which had developed from it, was spoken by most of the population.

In 1778 the French, with the active co-operation of the population, began the re-capture of Dominica.[19] This was ended by the Treaty of Paris (1783), which returned the island to British control. But the island population, especially the class of free people of color, resisted British restrictions. The British retained control throughout French invasions in 1795 and 1805,[19][22] the first taking place during the period of the Haitian Revolution, which gained the independence of Haiti (formerly Saint-Domingue, France's richest Caribbean colony).

British colony

[edit]
Main articles: British West Indies, British Leeward Islands, and British Windward Islands
A linen market in 1770s Dominica

Great Britain established a small colony in 1805. It used Dominica as part of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, by which slaves were imported and sold as labour in the islands as part of a trade that included producing and shipping sugar and coffee as commodity crops to Europe. The best documented slave plantation on the island is Hillsborough Estate, which had 71 male and 68 female slaves. The Greg family were notable: Thomas Hodgson, a brother-in-law, owned a slave ship, and Thomas Greg and his son John Greg were part-owners of sugar plantations on Dominica. In January 1814, 20 slaves absconded from Hillsborough. They were recorded as recaptured and punished with 100 lashes applied to the males and 50 for the females. The slaves reportedly said that one of their people had died in the plantation hospital, and they believed he had been poisoned.[25]

In 1831, reflecting a liberalisation of official British racial attitudes, the Brown Privilege Bill[26] conferred political and social rights on free blacks (mostly free people of colour, who generally were of mixed race, with African and European ancestry). With the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, Britain ended the institution of slavery throughout its empire, except in India.[27]

With freedom came enfranchisement. In 1835, the first three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica. Many slaves from the neighbouring French colonial islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique fled to Dominica. In 1838, Dominica became the first colony of the British West Indies to have an elected legislature controlled by an ethnic African majority. Most of these legislators had been free people of colour and smallholders or merchants before the abolition of slavery. Their economic and social views were different from the interests of the small, wealthy English planter class. Reacting to a perceived threat to their power, the planters lobbied for more direct British rule.[22]

In 1865, after much agitation and tension, the colonial office replaced the elective assembly with one made up of one-half members who were elected and one-half who were appointed. Planters, who were allied with colonial administrators, outmanoeuvred the elected legislators on many occasions. In 1871, Dominica became part of the British Leeward Islands. The political power of the elected assembly progressively eroded. Crown colony government was re-established in 1896.

Early 20th century

[edit]
Dominica Act 1938
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to provide for the separation of Dominica from the Leeward Islands, and for purposes connected therewith.
Citation1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 10
Dates
Royal assent30 March 1938
See also: West Indies Federation
Dominica stamps with portraits of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II

In World War I, many Dominicans, mainly the sons of small farmers, volunteered to fight in Europe for the British Empire. After the war, an upsurge of political consciousness throughout the Caribbean led to the formation of the Representative Government Association. Marshaling public frustration with the lack of a voice in governing Dominica, this group won one-third of the popularly elected seats of the legislative assembly in 1924, and one-half in 1936. In 1940, administration of Dominica was transferred from the British Leeward Islands to the British Windward Islands.[22] During World War II, some Dominicans volunteered in British and Caribbean forces. Thousands of Free French refugees from Martinique and Guadeloupe escaped to Dominica from the Vichy-controlled French islands, staying in Roseau and other villages.

Until 1958, Dominica was governed as part of the British Windward Islands. Caribbean islands sought independence from 1958 to 1962, and Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation in 1958.[19][22] After the federation dissolved in 1962, Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom in 1967, and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs.[19] On 3 November 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica was granted independence as a republic, led by Prime Minister Patrick John.[19][22][28]

Post-independence

[edit]

In mid-1979, political discontent with founding prime minister Patrick John's administration climaxed in a civilian coup and ended in the passage of a Motion of No Confidence in the House of Assembly, Dominica's legislature, against John, collapsing the John administration. A new, so-called "Interim Government" was formed under Dominica's second Prime Minister Oliver Seraphin;[19] Seraphin's main task was to prepare the country for fresh general elections constitutionally due in 1980, hence the unofficial title "Interim" Prime Minister. Seraphin organized and led a splinter of the Dominica Labour Party called the Democratic Labour Party into the 1980 general election and lost mainly because his nearly 13 month-long premiership was dominated by the fallout from Category Five Hurricane David, which caused 56 deaths and untold damage across the island.[19][29] Hurricane Allen the following year caused further damage.[19] After the 1980 election, Seraphin's government was replaced by one led by the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) under Prime Minister Eugenia Charles; she was the Caribbean's first female prime minister.[19][30]

In 1981, Charles's government was threatened with two attempted coups. The first was led by Frederick Newton, commander of the Military of Dominica, who organised an attack on the police headquarters in Roseau which resulted in the death of a police officer.[31] Newton and five other soldiers were found guilty in the attack and sentenced to death in 1983; the sentences of the five accomplices were later commuted to life in prison, but Newton was executed in 1986.[31] A second occurred later in the year when the country was threatened with a takeover by mercenaries[32] in Operation Red Dog, led by Mike Perdue and Wolfgang Droege. They tried to overthrow Charles as prime minister and reinstall ex-prime minister John in exchange for control over the country's development. The FBI was tipped off, and the ship hired to transport the mercenaries never left dock. The mercenaries lacked formal military experience or training, and most of the crew had been misled into joining by the ringleader Mike Perdue. White supremacist Don Black was also jailed for his part in the attempted coup, which violated US neutrality laws.[33]

Eugenia Charles, Prime Minister 1980–95, discussing the situation in Grenada in 1983 with US President Ronald Reagan

The Charles government supported the 1983 American invasion of Grenada, earning Dominica praise from the U.S. government of Ronald Reagan, and an increase in financial aid.[34]

By the middle of the 1980s, the economy had begun to recover,[19] before weakening again due to a decrease in banana prices. Eugenia Charles won the 1985 general election, becoming only the first incumbent Dominica Prime Minister to be popularly re-elected. The continuing downturn in the economy and the tight grip by Eugenia Charles on Dominica politics gave rise to a self-titled "Third Force" political formation in 1988, which disrupted the traditional two-party arrangement of governing DFP and opposition DLP. "Third Force" soon formalized as the United Workers' Party (UWP) and selected as its leader Edison James, the former General Manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Company. This was a strategic selection given James's prestige among banana farmers and his originating from the East or Atlantic Coast that had begun to feel alienated by the West or Caribbean Sea Coast elites in Roseau, Dominica's capital.[22] Eugenia Charles again won the 1990 general election, the first incumbent Dominica Prime Minister to win three consecutive general elections. However, Eugenia Charles's DFP had been pushed to within one seat of losing its majority in Parliament by the emergence of the UWP. It was, therefore, no great surprise when Eugenia Charles gave up political leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party in 1993 and did not contest the 1995 general election in any capacity. No longer benefiting from the veteran charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Eugenia Charles, the Dominica Freedom Party lost the 1995 election to the UWP, whose leader Edison James became prime minister.[19] James, former General Manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Company attempted to diversify the Dominican economy away from over-reliance on bananas. The crop was largely destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995.[19] Further James was unable to restore banana to its former selling price and prestige. Moreover, the James administration became embroiled in Opposition charges of official corruption.

In the 31 January 2000 general election, the UWP were defeated by a coalition of the DLP, led by left-leaning Roosevelt B. "Rosie" Douglas and the Dominica Freedom Party led by former trade union leader, Charles Savarin. Douglas became prime minister. One UWP member of the House of Assembly crossed the floor, joining the DLP-DFP coalition government. However, Douglas died on 1 October 2000 after only a few months.[19][35][36] Prime Minister Douglas was replaced by Pierre Charles, who also died in office on 6 January 2004.[19][37] Roosevelt Skerrit, also of the DLP, replaced Pierre Charles as prime minister, becoming the world's youngest head of government at the age of 31.[19] Under Skerrit's leadership, the DLP won elections in May 2005 that gave the party 12 seats in the 21-seat Parliament, to the UWP's 8 seats. An independent candidate affiliated with the DLP won a seat as well. Later, the independent candidate joined the government.[22][38] With his 2005 election win, Skerrit became only the second incumbent Prime Minister of seven to be popularly re-elected.

In the 2009 election, the DLP won 18 of 21 seats. The UWP claimed campaign improprieties and embarked on a wide range of protest actions, including boycott of Parliament. UWP's boycott lasted at least three unauthorized absences from Parliament for two of their three Elected Representatives in Parliament in violation of Parliamentary procedure, leading to their two seats being declared vacant and by-elections being called to fill them; by-elections were conducted for those two vacant seats in July 2010, and the UWP again won both seats.[39] The DLP under Skerrit went on to win the 2014 Dominican general election.[40]

On 17 September 2012 Eliud Thaddeus Williams was sworn in as President (a largely ceremonial role), replacing Dr. Nicholas Liverpool who was reportedly removed from office due to ill health. On 30 September 2013 former Trade Union leader and former Dominica Freedom Party leader Charles Savarin was elected president having only days before resigned as a Minister of Government. He is Dominica's eighth President.[41]

Damage in Roseau caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017

Tropical Storm Erika devastated the island in August 2015, killing 30 and causing severe environmental and economic damage.[19] Dominica was again struck on 18 September 2017, suffering a direct landfall from Category 5 Hurricane Maria.[19][42] Early estimates of damage suggested 90% of the buildings on the island had been destroyed, with infrastructure left in ruins.[43][44] The UK, France and the Netherlands set up shipping and air lifts to take aid to the island; the scale of destruction having left most people homeless.

Dominica won its first two Commonwealth Games medals in silver and bronze in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.[45]

President Charles Angelo Savarin was re-elected in 2018 for a new five-year term.[46]

The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit

In December 2019, incumbent Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit won his fourth consecutive general election eighteen seats to three, becoming the first Dominica Prime Minister ever to do so.[47]

Dominica received its first Olympic gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris when Thea LaFond won the women's triple jump with a length of 15.02 metres.

Geography and climate

[edit]
Dominica in the center, with Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south.
Map of Dominica.
Main article: Geography of Dominica

Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, the northernmost of the Windward Islands (though it is sometimes considered the southernmost of the Leeward Islands). The size of the country is about 289.5 square miles (750 km2) and it is about 29 miles (47 km) long and 16 miles (26 km) wide.[19][48]

Known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its lush scenery and varied flora and fauna, Dominica is largely covered by rainforest and is home to the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake.[48][49][50] Within its borders lie two ecoregions: Windward Islands moist forests and Windward Islands xeric scrub.[51] The most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters, the largest of these being (north-to-south) Morne aux Diables, Morne Diablotins (the highest on the island at 1,447 m),[48] Morne Trois Pitons and Morne Anglais. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a tropical forest blended with volcanic features;[52] it was recognised as a World Heritage Site on 4 April 1995, a distinction it shares with four other Caribbean islands.[53] The Calibishie area in the country's northeast has sandy beaches.[54] Some plants and animals thought to be extinct on surrounding islands can still be found in Dominica's forests.[55] The island has several protected areas, including Cabrits National Park, as well as 365 rivers. For a few years the government sought to encourage the island as an ecotourism destination, although the hurricane of 2017 has since changed these plans.[48] The country had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 1.06/10, ranking it 166th globally out of 172 countries.[56]

There are two primary population centres: the capital Roseau (with 14,725 inhabitants in 2011) and Portsmouth (with 4,167 inhabitants in 2011). The main centres tend to be located around the coast, with the mountainous interior sparsely populated.[48]

Dominica is especially vulnerable to hurricanes as the island is located in what is referred to as the hurricane region.[48] In 1979, Hurricane David struck the island as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread and extreme damage. On 17 August 2007, Hurricane Dean, a Category 1 hurricane at the time, hit the island. A mother and her seven-year-old son died when a landslide caused by the heavy rains crushed their house.[57] In another incident two people were injured when a tree fell on their house.[58] Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit estimated that 100 to 125 homes were damaged, and that the agricultural sector was extensively damaged, in particular the banana crop.[59] In August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika caused extensive flooding and landslides across the island. Multiple communities were evacuated and upwards of 30 people were killed.[60] According to a Rapid Damage and Impact Assessment prepared for Dominica by the World Bank, the total damage and losses from the storm were US$484.82 million or 90% of Dominica's yearly GDP.[61] Category 5 Hurricane Maria struck the island in 2017 and caused losses of approximately US$930 million or 226% of GDP.[44]

Fauna

[edit]
Imperial Amazon

The Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis) is Dominica's national bird and is endemic to its mountain forests.[19] A related species, the Jaco or red-necked parrot (A. arausiaca), is also a Dominican endemic.[19] Both birds are rare and protected, though some forest is still threatened by logging in addition to the long-standing threat of hurricanes.

Dominica has recorded at least four species of snakes and 11 species of lizards. Dominica is the last major stronghold of the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima).[62]

Dominica is home to 195 species of birds. Because of the isolated location of Dominica, this number is lower than that of Trinidad, which is located closer to mainland South-America and has 472 bird species.

The Caribbean Sea offshore of the island of Dominica is home to many cetaceans. Most notably a group of sperm whales live in this area year-round. Other cetaceans commonly seen in the area include spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Less commonly seen animals include killer whales, false killer whales, pygmy sperm whales, dwarf sperm whales, Risso's dolphins, common dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, humpback whales and Bryde's whales. This makes Dominica a destination for tourists interested in whale-watching.

Territorial disputes

[edit]

The Commonwealth of Dominica is engaged in a long-running dispute with Venezuela over Venezuela's territorial claims to the sea surrounding Isla de Aves (literally Bird Island, but in fact called 'Bird Rock' by Dominican authorities),[48][63] a tiny islet located 140 miles (225 km) west of the island of Dominica.

Government

[edit]
Main article: Politics of Dominica
See also: Foreign relations of Dominica

Dominica is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations.[14] The capital is Roseau. The Commonwealth of Dominica is one of the Caribbean's few republics. The president is the head of state, while executive power rests with the cabinet, headed by the prime minister.[14] The unicameral parliament consists of the 30-member House of Assembly, which consists of 21 directly elected members and nine senators, who may either be appointed by the president or elected by the other members of the House of Assembly.[14]

Unlike other former British colonies in the region, Dominica was never a Commonwealth realm, instead becoming a republic on independence. Dominica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).[19]

Dominica is also a member of the International Criminal Court, with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection with the US military, as covered under Article 98. In January 2008, Dominica joined the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas.[19]

Human rights

[edit]

Both male and female same-sex sexual activity was criminalized in Dominica in the 19th century during the colonial era.[64][65] In April 2024, Cara Shillingford persuaded the High Court of Justice to overturn the ban on same-sex activity[66] since it violated LGBT individuals' constitutional rights.[67]

Administrative divisions

[edit]

Dominica is divided into 10 parishes, given below with their 2011 Census populations:

Economy

[edit]
Main article: Economy of Dominica

Dominica's currency is the East Caribbean Dollar. In 2008, Dominica had one of the lowest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rates of Eastern Caribbean states.[68][69] 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. Around this time the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the Government of Dominica for its successful macroeconomic reforms, but also pointed out remaining challenges, including the need for further reductions in public debt, increased financial sector regulation, and market diversification.[22]

Agriculture and especially bananas once dominated Dominica's economy,[48] and nearly one-third of the labour force worked in agriculture in the early 2000s. 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.[citation needed] In response to reduced European Union (EU) trade preferences for bananas from the former European colonies after the 2009 WTO decision,[70][71][72][73] 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,[citation needed] while the economy has become increasingly dependent on tourism.[48]

The expected increase of Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) fees has been suspended with no implementation date in sight, as announced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in the 2016 budget speech.[74]

International trade

[edit]

Dominica is 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).[22]

Financial services industry

[edit]

The Commonwealth of Dominica is becoming in recent years[when?] a major international financial centre. The largest sectors are "offshore banking, payment processing companies, and general corporate activities". Regulation and supervision of the financial services industry is the responsibility of the Financial Service Unit of the Commonwealth of Dominica (FSU) under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. There are a number of service providers. These include global financial institutions including Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada, Cathedral Investment Bank, First Caribbean International Bank, and The Interoceanic Bank of the Caribbean.

Starting in the mid-late 1990s, offshore financial centres, such as the Commonwealth of Dominica, came under increasing pressure from the OECD for their allegedly harmful tax regimes, where the OECD wished to prevent low-tax regimes from having an advantage in the global marketplace. The OECD threatened to place the Commonwealth of Dominica and other financial centres on a "black list" and impose sanctions against them. However, the Commonwealth of Dominica successfully avoided being placed on the OECD black list by committing to regulatory reform to improve transparency and begin information exchange with OECD member countries about their citizens.

Dominica supposedly offers tax-free status to companies relocating 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 and hedge funds utilise Dominica for this reason. However, on 12 July 2012 Dominica signed an agreement with Poland to exchange tax information.[75]

Economic immigrants

[edit]
Main article: Dominica citizenship by investment programme

The Commonwealth of Dominica offers an official and legally mandated economic citizenship to those seeking a valid second citizenship. The nationality law of Dominica authorises the government to waive the normal requirement of seven years of legal residence to acquire citizenship in exchange for an investment into their country's economy. The required contribution for a main applicant starts at US$100,000 through the Economic Diversification Fund.[76] Alternatively, since 2014, applicants can make a US$200,000 minimum investment in pre-approved real estate from island exclusive resorts or global brands like Marriott, Kempinski or Hilton.[77] According to officials, the citizenship by investment (CBI) programme was an economic and fiscal "lifeline" in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017, and its new investment option had become the main source of Foreign Direct Investment into Dominica by early 2016.[78] Dominican citizens can travel without a visa, or obtain a visa upon entry, to nearly 140 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom and the Schengen Zone.[79] Applying for Dominica citizenship requires interacting with official Government Approved Economic Citizenship Agents as the first step in the application process.[80] This programme is valued at 16% of the government's total revenue as of 2018.[81]

The government's management of the economic citizenship programme and an initial perceived lack of transparency in the use of the revenues generated are a frequent topic of heated domestic political controversy. Referring to the opposition, Prime Minister Skerrit in 2016 stated that "If they can discredit the Citizenship by Investment Program and make Dominica an unattractive place to obtain citizenship, then revenues would fall and the government would not be able to rebuild the country. Or, the government would then have to increase taxes on the people; making itself unpopular in their sight."[82] Since then, the Government of Dominica has improved transparency of CBI funds. According to Prime Minister Skerrit's 2018–2019 Budget Address,[83] the island's CBI Programme has helped develop a National Health Insurance pilot that provides Dominican children in critical medical conditions with overseas treatment. Because many residents were displaced by Hurricane Maria's impact on the small Caribbean island, the government pledged to build 5,000 hurricane-proof homes, of which the first batch of 125 houses were scheduled for occupancy in February 2019.[84] The CBI Programme has also significantly helped to develop and create jobs in the island's ecotourism sector.[85] Furthermore, the Skerrit administration set aside EC$5m every month for the construction of a new airport.[86][87]

The Financial Times' Professional Wealth Management publication ranked Dominica as the world's best citizenship by investment programme in its annual CBI Index.[88][89] According to the report, investors choose Dominica's citizenship because it has the most affordable investment threshold, the application process is straightforward and streamlined,[90] while the security checks each applicant is subjected to remain very strict.[91]

Tourism

[edit]
Main article: Tourism in Dominica
Batalie Bay, Dominica

Dominica is mostly volcanic and has few beaches; therefore, tourism has developed more slowly than on neighbouring islands. Nevertheless, Dominica's mountains, rainforests, freshwater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots make it an attractive ecotourism destination. Cruise ship stopovers have increased following the development of modern docking and waterfront facilities in Roseau, the capital.[22] 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.[92] The volcanic nature of the island has attracted scuba divers.

Infrastructure

[edit]

Air

[edit]

There are two airports currently operating on the island. The primary airport, Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM), has direct flights from Miami on American Eagle. It is on the northeast coast and is about a 45-minute drive from Portsmouth (1 hour from Roseau). The second is Canefield Airport (DCF), about 15 minutes from Roseau on the southwest coast. Douglas-Charles Airport is suitable for limited use of commercial jets because of runway length. Douglas-Charles has regular service by Air Sunshine, Winair and Seaborne Airlines using twin turboprop aircraft like the ATR and Saab 340, as well as Conviasa and Amerijet, which, using Boeing 727 Freighters, is the only airline with jet service to the republic. A runway extension and service upgrade project began at Douglas-Charles Airport around 2006 and was finished in 2010. A third airport, Dominica International Airport, is currently under construction in Wesley and is expected to be completed in 2026.[93]

Roads

[edit]

Dominica's road network runs primarily along the coastline and along river valleys. Major roads are two-lane highways which connect the capital, Roseau, with Portsmouth (Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway) and the Douglas Charles Airport (Dr. Nicholas Liverpool Highway). It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Portsmouth to Roseau. Private minibuses form the major public transport system. These major roads were reconstructed from the early 2010s to 2015 with assistance from the People's Republic of China and the European Union.[94][95]

Due to Tropical Storm Erika of 2015 several road surfaces and bridges were damaged by flooding and landslides, including on the just completed E.O. LeBlanc Highway (Roseau to Portsmouth) and Dr. Nicholas Liverpool Highway (Pont Cassé to Douglas Charles Airport). To alleviate this, the government announced that it intended to install emergency bridges in Roseau Valley near the Trafalgar Falls to Wotten Waven and in Emshall.[96] Hurricane Maria of 2017 also damaged the road network.

Green energy

[edit]

Dominica's electricity sector includes power from hydroelectricity, solar energy, and geothermal energy.[97] Following on from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, the Dominican government claimed it would invest in geothermal energy. In early March 2018 Dominica signed an International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement, in an attempt to exploit solar energy to power the country with a source of renewable energy.[98]

Demographics

[edit]
Main article: Demographics of Dominica
Dominica
YearPop.±% p.a.
187127,178—    
188128,211+0.37%
189126,841−0.50%
190128,894+0.74%
191133,863+1.60%
192137,059+0.91%
194647,624+1.01%
196059,916+1.65%
197069,549+1.50%
198173,795+0.54%
199171,183−0.36%
200171,242+0.01%
201170,739−0.07%
Source: [6]

The vast majority of Dominicans are of African descent. There is a growing mixed population along with a small European origin minority (descendants of French and British colonists along with some people of Irish descent from indentured servants) and there are small numbers of Lebanese, Syrians and East Asians. Dominica is also the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Kalinago (previously called Caribs), who were exterminated or driven from neighbouring islands. As of 2014 there are more than 3,000 Kalinago remaining. They live in eight villages on the east coast of Dominica. This special Kalinago Territory (previously Carib Reserve) was granted by the British Crown in 1903.[99]

Scotts Head, Dominica

The population growth of Dominica is very slow, due primarily to emigration to other countries. In the early 21st century, emigrant numbers for the most popular countries are: the United States (8,560), the United Kingdom (6,739), Canada (605), and France (394).

Dominica had a relatively large number of centenarians. In March 2007, there were 22 centenarians amongst the island's 70,000 inhabitants —three times the average incidence of centenarianism in developed countries. The reasons for this were studied at Ross University School of Medicine.[100]

Dominica was partially integrated into the federal colony of the Leeward Islands in 1832. In 1871, it became a full part of the Federation of the Leeward Islands. From the start it was a peculiar relationship, for previously Dominica had played no part in the political or cultural traditions of the other more Anglophone islands of the federation. As a Leeward Island, this much larger territory, with thousands of acres of forested unclaimed land, was open to the people of Montserrat and Antigua. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Rose's Company, which produced Rose's lime juice, saw demand for its product outgrow its ability to supply the product from Montserrat. Their response to the situation was to buy land on Dominica and encourage Montserrat farm labourers to relocate. As a result, there came to be two linguistic communities in Dominica, Wesley and Marigot.

Charlotteville, Dominica

In 1902, on 8 May, the Mount Pelée volcano on Martinique erupted destroying the city of Saint-Pierre. Refugees from Martinique arrived in boats to the southern villages of Dominica and some remained permanently on the island.

Languages

[edit]

English is the official language of Dominica, universally spoken and understood. In addition, Dominican Creole, a form of Antillean Creole based on French, is widely spoken. This is due to French migration to the island starting in 1690, a majority French Creole-speaking population that resided on the island,[101] and its location between the two French-speaking departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Since 1979, Dominica has been a member of La Francophonie. Dominican Creole is particularly used among the older generation, which also speaks a patois language. Because of a decline in the use of Creole by the younger generation, initiatives have begun to increase usage and promote this unique part of the nation's history and culture.

Along with Creole, a dialect known as Kokoy (or Cockoy) is spoken.[102] It is a type of pidgin English which is a mix of Leeward Island English Creole and Dominican Creole,[103] and is mainly spoken in the north-eastern villages of Marigot and Wesley, by the descendants of immigrants from Montserrat and Antigua. Over time there has been much intermarrying, but there are still traces of difference in origin.[104] As a result of this mixture of languages and heritage, Dominica is a member of both the French-speaking Francophonie and the English-speaking Commonwealth of Nations.

Island Carib, also known as Igneri (Iñeri, Igñeri, Inyeri), was an Arawakan language historically spoken by the Island Caribs of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. The Island Caribs lived throughout the southern Lesser Antilles such as Dominica, St Vincent and Trinidad, supposedly having conquered them from their previous inhabitants, the Igneri. Island Carib became extinct about 1920, but an offshoot survives as Garifuna, primarily in Central America.

Religion

[edit]
Main article: Religion in Dominica
Roseau Cathedral in Dominica

61.4% of the population is Roman Catholic,[48] though in recent years a number of Protestant churches have been established.[citation needed] About 10–12% of the population belongs to one of the Seventh-Day (Saturday) denominations, which includes Yahweh Congregation, Church of God (Seventh-Day), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[105]

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, in 2010 the World Christian Database reported that the largest non-Christian religious groups included: spiritualism followed by 2.6% of the population; Baháʼí followed by 1.7%; Agnosticism followed by 0.5%; Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, each followed by 0.1%; and Chinese folk religion, Neoreligions, and Atheism each followed by non-negligible proportions (i.e., <0.1%) of the population.[106] The second largest town on the island, Portsmouth, is home to Al-Ansaar Masjid, the first mosque to be built in Dominica. The mosque was constructed with the help of Muslim students from the since relocated Ross University School of Medicine.[107]

Education

[edit]
Main article: Education in Dominica

School in Dominica is mandatory up to secondary school. After pre-school, students attend primary school for six or seven years, and are admitted into secondary school on the basis of a Common Entrance Exam. After five years the students take the General Certificate of Education (GCE), widely replaced by the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate administered by the Caribbean Examination Council (a 15-member confederation of the Caribbean community (CARICOM)).[108] The more advanced version of this examination, CAPE, can be taken upon completion of two years of community college. The island has its own Dominica State College, formerly named Clifton Dupigny Community College.[109] Some Dominicans attend universities in Cuba on scholarships offered by its government; others go to the University of the West Indies or to universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, or other countries.

Archbold Tropical Research and Education Center, a biological field station owned by Clemson University, is located at Springfield Estate between Canefield and Pont Cassé.[110][111] In 2006 All Saints University School of Medicine opened in temporary facilities in Loubière,[112] it was later located in Roseau, Dominica. A marine biology institute in Mahaut, the Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology, closed in 2009.

Ross University School of Medicine was located at Portsmouth. Ross had been operating in Dominica since the 1980s.[113] There used to be a thousand medical students arriving annually from the United States and Canada who studied at Ross University, but the campus was permanently relocated to Barbados at the beginning of the 2019 Spring semester due to extensive hurricane damage suffered at the Dominican campus.[114][115]

The Dominica Library and Information Service (DLIS) serves an integral role in the education of its citizens. The DLIS provides service for the population of Dominica through three components: public library services, documentation and research services, and archival services. Under the management of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, the institution was established in 1843 with the opening of reading rooms, the first public library in Dominica, Victoria Memorial.[116] DLIS serves an integral role in the education of the citizens of the country. The creation of a public library in Dominica did not come easily though the impetus was a noble one that would help "the coloured people... [improve] their lot as they moved along the path to complete freedom...” (Boromé, 203). The Dominican library began as a reading room that evolved into a free and public library that wasn't fully free: patrons were required to pay a subscription fee. Surviving religious and political discord, the great depression, and two world wars, the library finally came under the care of the government where funds were set aside for its upkeep. Ironically, the early stages of the library's history were dedicated to remove the "uncouth", and "barbarous patois", which is being preserved. However, it did achieve its goal of "diminishing the island’s very high percentage of illiteracy" (pg. 225).[117] The historical library was demolished in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018, and slated to be rebuilt with a more modern outlook.

Culture

[edit]
Main articles: Culture of Dominica and Music of Dominica
Dominica's east coast Carib Territory

Dominica was historically occupied by the Arawaks (Tainos) and Carib (Kalinago) tribes at the time European settlers reached the island. "Massacre" is a name of a river dedicated to the mass murder of the native villagers by English settlers on St. Kitts -the survivors were forced into exile on Dominica.[118] Both the French and British claimed the island and imported slaves from Africa for labour. The remaining Kalinago live on a 3,700-acre (15 km2) territory on the east coast of the island. They elect their own chief. This has produced the modern cultural mix.[original research?]

Music and dance are important facets of Dominican culture. The annual independence celebrations display a variety of traditional song and dance. Since 1997, there have also been weeks of Creole festivals, such as "Creole in the Park" and the "World Creole Music Festival".

Dominica gained prominence on the international music stage when in 1973, Gordon Henderson founded the group Exile One and an original musical genre, which he called "Cadence-lypso". This paved the way for modern Creole music. Other musical genres include "Jing ping" and "Cadence". Jing ping features the accordion and is native to the island. Dominica's music is a mélange of Haitian, Afro-Cuban, African and European traditions. Popular artists over the years included Chubby and the Midnight Groovers, Bells Combo, the Gaylords (Dominican band), WCK, and Triple Kay.

The 11th annual World Creole Music Festival was held in 2007, part of the island's celebration of independence from Great Britain on 3 November. A year-long reunion celebration began in January 2008, marking 30 years of independence.

Dominica is often seen as a society that is migrating from collectivism to individualism. The economy is a developing one that previously depended on agriculture. Signs of collectivism are evident in the small towns and villages which are spread across the island.[clarification needed]

The novelist Jean Rhys was born and raised in Dominica. The island is obliquely depicted in her best-known book, Wide Sargasso Sea. Rhys's friend, the political activist and writer Phyllis Shand Allfrey, set her 1954 novel, The Orchid House, in Dominica.

Much of the Walt Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (the second in the series, released in 2006), was shot on location on Dominica (though in the film it was known as "Pelegosto", a fictional island), along with some shooting for the third film in the series, At World's End (2007).

Cuisine

[edit]
Main article: Dominica cuisine

Dominica's cuisine is similar to that of other Caribbean islands, particularly Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Like other Commonwealth Caribbean islands, Dominicans have developed a distinct twist to their cuisine. Breakfast is an important daily meal, typically including saltfish, dried and salted codfish, and "bakes" (fried dough). Saltfish and bakes are combined for a fast food snack that can be eaten throughout the day; vendors on Dominica's streets sell these snacks to passersby, together with fried chicken, fish and fruit and yogurt "smoothies". Other breakfast meals include cornmeal porridge, which is made with fine cornmeal or polenta, milk or condensed milk, and sugar to sweeten. Traditional British-influenced dishes, such as eggs and toast, are also popular, as are fried fish and plantains.

Common vegetables include plantains, tannias (a root vegetable), sweet potatoes, potatoes, rice and peas. Meat and poultry typically eaten include chicken, beef and fish. These are often prepared in stews with onions, carrots, garlic, ginger and herbs. The vegetables and meat are browned to create a rich dark sauce. Popular meals include rice and peas, brown stew chicken, stew beef, fried and stewed fish, and many different types of hearty fish broths and soups. These are filled with dumplings, carrots and ground provisions.

Sports

[edit]

Cricket is a popular sport on the island, and Dominica competes in test cricket as part of the West Indies cricket team. In West Indies domestic first-class cricket, Dominica participates as part of the Windward Islands cricket team, although they are often considered a part of the Leeward Islands geographically. This is due to being part of the British Windward Islands colony from 1940 until independence; its cricket federation remains a part of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control.

On 24 October 2007, the 8,000-seat Windsor cricket stadium was completed with a donation of EC$33 million (US$17 million, €12 million) from the government of the People's Republic of China.

Netball, basketball, rugby, tennis and association football are gaining popularity.

International footballer Julian Wade, Dominica's all-time top goal scorer as of 2021, plays for Brechin City F.C. in Scotland.[119]

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, a husband and wife team of Gary di Silvestri and Angela Morrone di Silvestri spent US$175,000 to register as Dominican citizens and enter the 15 km men's and 10 km women's cross-country skiing events, respectively. Angela did not start her race, and Gary pulled out several hundred meters into his race. As of 2022, they are Dominica's only Winter Olympic athletes.[120]

Athlete Jérôme Romain won the bronze medal at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics triple jump competition. He also qualified for the finals at the 1996 Olympic Games; even though he had to pull out due to injury, until 2024 his 12th position was the best ever performance of a Dominican at the Olympics.[121]

Sprinter Olympian Chris Lloyd won the bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games over 400m.[122]

Triple Jump Olympian Thea LaFond became the first athlete to win a medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games[123] and an Olympic medal, earning gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[124]

Media

[edit]

Dominica has two major newspapers, The Sun[125] and The Chronicle, and two national television stations. Radio stations include the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation and independent stations come and go. Digicel and LIME operate mobile phone services. Dominica's wireless customers. Historical newspapers include The Dominican, The Dominica Guardian,Archived 29 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine, and the Dominica Colonist, available for free in the Digital Library of the Caribbean.

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Coat of Arms – Government of the State of Dominica". www.dominica.gov.dm. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  2. ^ "DOMINICA NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 2000 ROUND OF POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS SUB-PROJECT" (PDF). Caricomstats.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Religions in Dominica | PEW-GRF". Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "World Population Prospects 2022". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  5. ^ "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "2011 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS" (PDF). Dominica.gov.dm. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d "Dominica". International Monetary Fund. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Human Development Report 2023/24" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  9. ^ "11 Facts About Dominica That Will Surprise You". Discover Dominica. Ministry of Tourism. 24 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. ^ a b Monkey (12 November 2014). "One woman's fight to get David Dimbleby to correctly pronounce Dominica". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Learn about Dominica". A Virtual Dominica. n.d. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Dominica - pronunciation of Dominica". Macmillan Dictionary. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Dominica | Pronunciation in English". Cambridge Dictionary. b. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  14. ^ a b c d "Dominica's Constitution of 1978 with Amendments through 1984". Constitute. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  15. ^ P. C. Evans & L. Honychurch, Dominica: Nature Island of the Caribbean Archived 24 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Hansib (1989).
  16. ^ "Country Flags With Purple". World Atlas. 18 December 2018. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  17. ^ "The Real Reason Purple Isn't Used on Many National Flags". TipHero. 20 November 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Discover Dominica: an introduction to our Caribbean island". Dominica.dm. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Encyclopedia Britannica - Dominica". Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  20. ^ Whitley, David (29 January 2016). "The 22 places you're probably pronouncing incorrectly". Stuff. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  21. ^ Dian Rolle (4 May 2021). "COMMENTARY: It's time for a new identity". Dominica News Online. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Background note: Dominica". U.S. Department of State (July 2008). Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  23. ^ P.C. Emmer & BW Highman, (1999) General History of the Caribbean: Methodology and Historiography of the Caribbean, volume 6, p. 637
  24. ^ "Important Dates in Dominica's History". Lennox Honychurch. 5 July 1990. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Janus: Dominica Estate documents". janus.lib.cam.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  26. ^ London Society for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Dominions (1831). Anti-Slavery Monthly Reporter, volume 3. London Society for the Mitigation and Abolition of Slavery in the British Dominions. p. 211.
  27. ^ "Slavery Abolition Act 1833; Section LXIV". 28 August 1833. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  28. ^ "The Dominica Termination of Association Order 1978". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  29. ^ Lawrence, Miles (1979). "Hurricane David Preliminary Report, Page 3". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  30. ^ Goldman, Lawrence (2013). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2005–2008. Oxford University Press. p. 210. ISBN 9780199671540.
  31. ^ a b "Ex-Commander Hanged For Dominica Coup Role". The New York Times. 9 August 1986. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  32. ^ "Caribbean Islands – Regional Security Threats, 1970–81". Country-data.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  33. ^ Stewart Bell, Bayou of Pigs Archived 11 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, presents the story of the planned coup.
  34. ^ Woodward, Bob, Veil: the Secret Wars of the CIA 1981-1987, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987, pp. 290, 300.
  35. ^ "www.mathaba.net". www.mathaba.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  36. ^ Ellsworth Carter, "Dominica Leader Douglas Dies", Mathaba.net.
  37. ^ "When Prime Minister Pierre Charles died". The Sun. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  38. ^ "IFES Election Guide | Elections: Dominica Parliamentary May 5, 2005". www.electionguide.org. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  39. ^ "U.S. Department of State Background Note on Dominica". State.gov. 7 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  40. ^ General Election Results - 8 December 2014 Archived 1 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine Caribbean Elections
  41. ^ "Charles Angelo Savarin sworn in as Dominica's 8th President - GIS Dominica". news.gov.dm. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  42. ^ "Hurricane Maria 'devastates' Dominica: PM". BBC News. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  43. ^ "Dominica devastation emerges with fatalities and '90% of buildings destroyed'". WIC News. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  44. ^ a b Handy, Gemma (25 September 2017). "Dominica grieves after Hurricane Maria". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  45. ^ "DOC President Billy Doctrove says he is pleased with the National Team Commonwealth Games performance". Q95FM. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  46. ^ "DOMINICA-Savarin re-elected President, opposition stages walkout". Antigua News Room. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  47. ^ Sorhaindo, Rupert (10 December 2019). "Reflections on Dominica 2019 general election results". Caribbean News Global. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The World Factbook - Dominica". CIA.gov. 22 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  49. ^ "Between Two Reunions: Boiling Lake, 1988 to 2008 |". The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica's Official Website. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  50. ^ Thompson, Keith (2010). Life in the Caribbean. New Africa Press. p. 288. ISBN 978-9987160150. ASIN 9987160158. p.173.
  51. ^ Dinerstein, Eric; Olson, David; Joshi, Anup; Vynne, Carly; Burgess, Neil D.; Wikramanayake, Eric; Hahn, Nathan; Palminteri, Suzanne; Hedao, Prashant; Noss, Reed; Hansen, Matt; Locke, Harvey; Ellis, Erle C; Jones, Benjamin; Barber, Charles Victor; Hayes, Randy; Kormos, Cyril; Martin, Vance; Crist, Eileen; Sechrest, Wes; Price, Lori; Baillie, Jonathan E. M.; Weeden, Don; Suckling, Kierán; Davis, Crystal; Sizer, Nigel; Moore, Rebecca; Thau, David; Birch, Tanya; Potapov, Peter; Turubanova, Svetlana; Tyukavina, Alexandra; de Souza, Nadia; Pintea, Lilian; Brito, José C.; Llewellyn, Othman A.; Miller, Anthony G.; Patzelt, Annette; Ghazanfar, Shahina A.; Timberlake, Jonathan; Klöser, Heinz; Shennan-Farpón, Yara; Kindt, Roeland; Lillesø, Jens-Peter Barnekow; van Breugel, Paulo; Graudal, Lars; Voge, Maianna; Al-Shammari, Khalaf F.; Saleem, Muhammad (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
  52. ^ "Morne Trois Pitons National Park by World Heritage Sites". Whc.unesco.org. 7 December 1997. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  53. ^ St. Lucia (2004), Saint Kitts (1999), Hispaniola (Dominican Republic [1990]/Haiti [1982]) and Cuba (multiple).
  54. ^ "A Photo Tour of the Calibishie Coast". Calibishiecoast.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  55. ^ Stephen Durand and Bertrand Jno. Baptiste, "Dominica" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division).
  56. ^ Grantham, H. S.; Duncan, A.; Evans, T. D.; Jones, K. R.; Beyer, H. L.; Schuster, R.; Walston, J.; Ray, J. C.; Robinson, J. G.; Callow, M.; Clements, T.; Costa, H. M.; DeGemmis, A.; Elsen, P. R.; Ervin, J.; Franco, P.; Goldman, E.; Goetz, S.; Hansen, A.; Hofsvang, E.; Jantz, P.; Jupiter, S.; Kang, A.; Langhammer, P.; Laurance, W. F.; Lieberman, S.; Linkie, M.; Malhi, Y.; Maxwell, S.; Mendez, M.; Mittermeier, R.; Murray, N. J.; Possingham, H.; Radachowsky, J.; Saatchi, S.; Samper, C.; Silverman, J.; Shapiro, A.; Strassburg, B.; Stevens, T.; Stokes, E.; Taylor, R.; Tear, T.; Tizard, R.; Venter, O.; Visconti, P.; Wang, S.; Watson, J. E. M. (2020). "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5978. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5978G. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7723057. PMID 33293507.
  57. ^ Jonathan Katz (18 August 2007). "Hurricane Dean Gains Caribbean Strength". Forbes. Associated Press. Retrieved 18 August 2007.[dead link]
  58. ^ "Hurricane claims one life in St. Lucia and possibly two in Dominica". CBC. 17 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  59. ^ "Dominica Badly Affected". CBC. 17 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  60. ^ "Dominica pleads for help as storm death toll tops 30". Yahoo News. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  61. ^ "Rapid Damage and Impact Assessment: Tropical Storm Erika" (PDF). Government of Dominica. 25 September 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  62. ^ van den Burg, Matthijs P.; Brisbane, Jeanelle L. K.; Knapp, Charles R. (14 October 2019). "Post-hurricane relief facilitates invasion and establishment of two invasive alien vertebrate species in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies". Biological Invasions. 22 (2): 195–203. doi:10.1007/s10530-019-02107-5. eISSN 1573-1464. ISSN 1387-3547. S2CID 204460134.
  63. ^ Carlyle L. Mitchell; Edgar Gold; Dalhousie Ocean Studies Programme (1983). Fisheries Development in Dominica: An Assessment of the New Law of the Sea Implications and Strategies. Dalhousie Ocean Studies Programme, Dalhousie University. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7703-0280-1.
  64. ^ Avery, Daniel (4 April 2019). "71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  65. ^ "State-Sponsored Homophobia". International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  66. ^ Stewart, Colin (22 April 2024). "Dominica court overturns anti-sodomy law". Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  67. ^ Davis, Alys (23 April 2024). "Dominica High Court overturns ban on same-sex relations". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  68. ^ "Dominica". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  69. ^ "World Bank 'At A Glance'" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  70. ^ Barkham, Patrick (5 March 1999). "The banana wars explained". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
  71. ^ "Banana war ends after 20 years". BBC News. 8 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  72. ^ Schwartz, Elaine (26 June 2018). "How the EU and the U.S. Fought a Banana Trade War". Econlife. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  73. ^ "Ending the banana wars: Who wins and who loses? | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. 24 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  74. ^ No Fee Increase for Dominica CIP Archived 17 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. ntltrust.com (2016-7-28)
  75. ^ "Ministerstwo Finansów". Mf.gov.pl. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  76. ^ "Economic Diversification Fund - Dominica". Dominica. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  77. ^ "Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit". Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  78. ^ "Dominica's Citizenship Programme 'Main Source of FDI', Officials Say" Archived 13 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Dominica News Online, 16 February 2016.
  79. ^ "Dominica Passport Visa Free Travel - Dominica Visa Free Countries". www.goccp.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  80. ^ "Authorised CBIU Agents – Government Approved CBIU Agents". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  81. ^ "Selling citizenship is big business—and controversial". The Economist. 29 September 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  82. ^ "Full speech of PM Skerrit at DLP meeting in St. Joseph" Archived 16 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Dominica News Online, 3 February 2016.
  83. ^ "Full budget speech of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit – Dominica News Online". dominicanewsonline.com. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  84. ^ "First phase of CBI-funded housing projects ready for occupation in February 2019 – Dominica News Online". dominicanewsonline.com. 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  85. ^ "How Dominica's CBI is Changing the Lives of its Citizens". Dominica. 6 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  86. ^ "Land acquisition begins for international airport – PM Skerrit – Dominica News Online". dominicanewsonline.com. 16 October 2018. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  87. ^ "Getting over Hurricane Maria". The Economist. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  88. ^ "CBI Index | Rankings of the Best Programmes". cbiindex.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  89. ^ "Dominica named best country for 2nd citizenship". www.tradearabia.com. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  90. ^ CBI Index Research Team (20 August 2018). "The CBI Index: key findings - Caribbean continues to dominate". www.pwmnet.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  91. ^ Gunning, Heyrick Bond (20 August 2018). "The CBI Index: the due diligence process in the Caribbean". www.pwmnet.com. Retrieved 30 November 2018.[permanent dead link]
  92. ^ DeLollis, Barbara; Hansen, Barbara (19 January 2009). "Bookings started to fall along with stock market". USA Today.
  93. ^ Partners, CS Global (7 September 2023). "Dominica International Project Employs Over 200". CS Global Partners Limited. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  94. ^ "Completion ceremony of Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway Friday". Dominica News Online. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  95. ^ "Dr Nicholas Liverpool Highway Officially Commissioned". Dominica Government Information Service. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  96. ^ "Emergency bridges being developed PM says". Dominica News Online. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  97. ^ "Emergency Bridges Being Developed PM Says". Dominica News Online. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  98. ^ Caribbean, Renewable Energy (24 August 2018). "Dominica cementing its position as a renewable energy trailblazer". Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  99. ^ "The Carib Indians". Avirtualdominica.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  100. ^ Pickford, John, From Our Own Correspondent, BBC Radio 4. First broadcast 31 March 2007. Dominica report 17'49" – 22'55".
  101. ^ Honychurch, Lennox (1995). The Dominica story : a history of the island (3rd ed.). London: Macmillan. pp. 49–60. ISBN 978-0333627761.
  102. ^ Schreier, D; et al. (2010). Lesser-known varieties of English. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521710169. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  103. ^ "Creole for Beginners". Avirtualdominica.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  104. ^ Honychurch, Lennox (14 November 2003). "Inter-Island Migration and Cultural Change: The Impact of Montserratians on Dominica". Lennoxhonychurch.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  105. ^ "Tropical Islam". Arabwashingtonian.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  106. ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives | National Profiles". www.thearda.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  107. ^ "home". Muslim Community of Dominica. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  108. ^ "Dominica Education System". www.scholaro.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  109. ^ "About Us". Dominica State College. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  110. ^ "Clemson University ATREC". 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  111. ^ "Clemson University". Clemson.edu. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  112. ^ "All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica". Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  113. ^ "Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica". Rossu.edu. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  114. ^ "Medical school relocates to Barbados after hurricane". washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  115. ^ "Adtalem Global Education Announces Barbados as New Location for Ross University School of Medicine". Adtalem Global Education. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  116. ^ "About DLIS". dlis.gov.dm. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  117. ^ Boromé, Joseph A. (1970). "Origin and Growth of the Public Libraries of Dominica". The Journal of Library History. 5 (3): 200–236. ISSN 0022-2259. JSTOR 25540240.
  118. ^ Hubbard, Vincent (2002). A History of St. Kitts. Macmillan Caribbean. p. 17. ISBN 9780333747605.
  119. ^ Smith, Ewan (12 August 2021). "Dominica international striker Julian Wade gives up Caribbean sunshine to hit Brechin City goal trail". The Courier. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  120. ^ McKenna, Dave (24 February 2014). "Dominica's Fake Ski Team Scammed The Olympics and the Press". Deadspin. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  121. ^ "World bronze medallist Romain reflects on Dominica's Olympic debut". trackalerts.com. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  122. ^ "Dominica's Participation at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games". dominicaweekly. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  123. ^ "Thea Lafond Records World Leading Jump". dominicaathleticsassociation.org. 24 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  124. ^ Reid, Helen (3 August 2024). "LaFond wins triple jump gold to bring Dominica first ever Olympic medal". Reuters. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  125. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
[edit]

Reference

Government

Geography

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dominica&oldid=1257797250"