Where is Dominica located?

What countries border Dominica?

Dominica Weather

What is the current weather in Dominica?

Find more about Weather in Roseau, DO
Click for weather forecast

Dominica Facts and Culture

What is Dominica famous for?

  • Family: Dominicans have formal marriages, common-law relationships (men and women living together) and visiting unions (man and women live apart). Women... More
  • Personal Apperance: Dominicans wear Western style clothing. On holidays women might wear a traditional costume. A bright colored jupe (skirt with lace... More
  • Recreation: The most popular sports are cricket and football (soccer). Other sports include volleyball and squash. Men enjoy playing dominoes. More
  • Food and Recipes: Basic staples include fish, yams, cassava bread and other vegetables.  ti-ti-ri is a white fish found in the rivers that... More

Dominica Facts

What is the capital of Dominica?

Capital Roseau
Government Type Parliamentary Republic
Currency East Caribbean dollars (XCD)
Total Area 290 Square Miles
751 Square Kilometers
Location Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
Language English (official), French patois
GDP - real growth rate 1.5%
GDP - per capita (PPP) $11,400.00 (USD)

Dominica Demographics

What is the population of Dominica?

Ethnic Groups Black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian
Nationality Noun Dominican(s)
Population 74,243
Population Growth Rate 0.22%
Population in Major Urban Areas ROSEAU (capital) 14,000
Urban Population 67.100000

Dominica Government

What type of government does Dominica have?

Executive Branch Chief of state: President Sylvanie BURTON (since 2 October 2023)

Head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Elections/appointments: president nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition party and elected by the House of Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 September 2023 (next to be held in October 2028); prime minister appointed by the president

Election results: 2023: parliament elects Sylvanie BURTON (DLP) with 20 votes for and five against
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship Citizenship by birth: yes

Citizenship by descent only: yes

Dual citizenship recognized: yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
National Holiday Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Constitution History: previous 1967 (preindependence); latest presented 25 July 1978, entered into force 3 November 1978

Amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as fundamental rights and freedoms, the government structure, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by three fourths of the Assembly membership in the final reading of the amendment bill, approval by simple majority in a referendum, and assent of the president; amended several times, last in 2015
Independence 3 November 1978 (from the UK)

Dominica Video

Matador Network- YouTube We call it Dominica

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Dominica Geography

What environmental issues does Dominica have?

Climate Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Environment - Current Issues NA
Environment - International Agreements Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Terrain Rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Dominica Economy

How big is the Dominica economy?

Economic Overview The Dominican economy was dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has been driven by tourism, as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. However, Hurricane Maria, which passed through the island in September 2017, destroyed much of the country’s agricultural sector and caused damage to all of the country’s transportation and physical infrastructure. Before Hurricane Maria, the government had attempted to foster an offshore financial industry and planned to sign agreements with the private sector to develop geothermal energy resources. At a time when government finances are fragile, the government’s focus has been to get the country back in shape to service cruise ships. The economy contracted in 2015 and recovered to positive growth in 2016 due to a recovery of agriculture and tourism. Dominica suffers from high debt levels, which increased from 67% of GDP in 2010 to 77% in 2016. Dominica is one of five countries in the East Caribbean that have citizenship by investment programs whereby foreigners can obtain passports for a fee and revenue from this contribute to government budgets.
Industries Soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
Currency Name and Code East Caribbean dollars (XCD)
Export Partners Japan 38.1%, Jamaica 19%, Antigua and Barbuda 10.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.2%, St. Lucia 4.8%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.2%
Import Partners Japan 42%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, US 11.9%, China 6%

Dominica News and Current Events

What current events are happening in Dominica?
Source: Google News

Dominica Travel Information

What makes Dominica a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Dominica is an English-speaking developing Caribbean island nation. The tourism industry is in the early stages of development; first-class tourist facilities are limited, but medium-range facilities are widely available.

Crime

Street crime, including armed robbery, occurs in Dominica. Valuables left unattended, especially on beaches, are vulnerable to theft. If renting a private property on Dominica, be certain to request proof of insurance from the property owner. Rented villas are sometimes robbed, especially those in the Calibishie area, and if the owner has no insurance for theft you will be unable to recoup your losses.

Take some time before travel to learn how to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Dominica, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Dominica, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Dominica’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Dominicaare severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in Dominica, authorities of Dominica are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care is limited. The major hospital is Princess Margaret Hospital (telephone (767) 448-2231/5720). In addition, there is one other hospital in Dominica and several clinics. There is an operational hyperbaric chamber at the main hospital. The private hospital and clinics will take emergency cases. There is limited ambulance service on most of the island, and a sea rescue service is available at the North end of the island. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Dominica, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Vehicles are driven on the left in Dominica. Seatbelt laws are not strictly enforced. Roads are narrow with steep inclines throughout the island. There are few guardrails in areas that have precipitous drop-offs from the road. Be especially careful on the two hour trip from the airport to the capital, Roseau, that winds through the mountainous interior. Serious accidents involving tourist vehicles occur periodically. Road signs are limited outside of the major towns. Drivers should be alert for minibus (taxi) drivers, who often make sudden stops or pull out into traffic without warning or signaling. A local temporary driver’s license is required. These can be purchased at all car rental offices and from the Traffic Department in Roseau.

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