KEY FACTS depicted on the national flag, various species of doves and the mountain whistler. There Joined Commonwealth: 1978 are three distinct vegetation and habitat Population: 72,000 (2013) zones determined by rainfall and elevation at GDP p.c. growth: 1.8% p.a. 1990–2013 defined levels around the mountains. The country has two marine reserves and several UN HDI 2014: World ranking 93 hectares of forest reserve. Official language: English Main towns: (capital, pop. 14,725 in Time: GMT minus 4 hrs 2011), Portsmouth (4,167), Canefield (3,324), Currency: Eastern dollar (EC$) Marigot (2,411), Salisbury (2,147), Berekua (2,134), Mahaut (2,113), St Joseph (1,746), Geography Wesley (1,362) and Castle Bruce (1,087). Area: 750 sq km Transport: There are 1,510 km of roads, 50 per cent paved. A round-island network was Coastline: 148 km completed in the late 1980s, despite the Capital: Roseau technical difficulties presented by Dominica’s mountainous terrain and friable volcanic rock. The Commonwealth of Dominica is one of 2001 census) minorities. There is a Carib the Windward Islands in the Eastern Banana boats and tourist cruiseships call at reserve on part of the east of the island, Caribbean, lying between Guadeloupe to the Roseau, at the deep-water harbour in referred to as the Carib Territory. north and to the south. Woodbridge Bay, and in Prince Rupert’s Bay, Language: The official language is English; a Portsmouth. Topography: A volcanic island 46 km in French-based Creole is spoken by most of the length, Dominica has a central mountain The airports at Melville Hall, 64 km north-east population. ridge running from Cape Melville in the north of Roseau, and Canefield, 5 km north of Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics to the cliffs in the south. Morne Diablotin Roseau, can accommodate only turbo-prop 61 per cent, Seventh Day Adventists six per rises to 1,447 metres. There are numerous passenger aircraft. Tourists flying into cent, Pentecostals six per cent, Baptists four per mountain streams and rivers, none of them Dominica must therefore generally come via cent, Methodists four per cent; 2001 census). navigable. The scenery is outstandingly the nearby island of Antigua. beautiful, with waterfalls and luxuriantly Health: Public spending on health was four wooded mountains. Most beaches are of Society per cent of GDP in 2012. The health system black volcanic sand, with some of golden operates through local clinics, larger health sand. KEY FACTS 2013 centres, a polyclinic in Roseau, and the Climate: The climate is subtropical and hot, Population per sq km: 96 national referral hospital, the Princess but cooled by sea breezes, with a rainy Life expectancy: 76 years (est.) Margaret Hospital. There is a smaller hospital season in June–October, when hurricanes at Portsmouth, and cottage hospitals at Net primary enrolment: 92% (2010) may occur. Rainfall is heavy, especially in Marigot and Grand Bay. Infant mortality was mountain areas. Population: 72,000 (2013); 69 per cent of ten per 1,000 live births in 2013. people live in urban areas; growth 0.0 per Environment: The most significant Education: Public spending on education cent p.a. 1990–2013, due mainly to the environmental issues are shortage of drinking was four per cent of GDP in 2010. There emigration of young people; birth rate 16 per water; deforestation; soil erosion; pollution of are 12 years of compulsory education 1,000 people (est. 26 in 1970); life the coastal zone by chemicals used in starting at the age of five. Primary school expectancy 76 years (est.) farming and factories, and untreated sewage. comprises seven years and secondary five. The population is mostly of African and Some 91 per cent of pupils complete Vegetation: Dominica is known as the mixed African/European descent, with primary school (2010). The school year nature island of the Caribbean. Dense forest European, Syrian and Carib (2.9 per cent in starts in September. and woodland cover 59 per cent of the land area, with subtropical vegetation and orchids in the valleys. Tree ferns are indigenous to the Dominica on the international stage island. Arable and cropped land extends to The popular Caribbean band Midnight Groovers, who have a back catalogue of 40 albums, some 32 per cent of the total land area. The originate from the island. Patricia Janet Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, British peer island has fertile volcanic soil. and former Attorney-General of England and Wales, was born in Dominica in 1955. Wildlife: The forests have a wide range of Dominica was the first state in the Americas to have a female prime minister – Dame bird species (at least three of them rare and served from 1980 to 1995. At his appointment in 2004 the current Prime endangered, 2014), including the brilliant Minister, , was the youngest head of government in the world, aged 31. Dominica parrot, or Sisserou, which is

The CommonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Dominica

Further education is provided at a teacher- Real growth in GDP 200–300 Russians were granted economic training college; a nursing school; and at the citizenship. % 1.2 regional University of the West Indies, which % The government also encouraged has a branch in Dominica and main campuses 0.9 development of an offshore financial-services in , , and Trinidad and 0.6 sector, including company and bank Tobago. The Dominica State College, a 0.3 registration and internet gambling. publicly funded institution, offers 0.0 From thge mid -199 0 s, there was a period of programmes leading to GCE A-Level, -0.3 certificates, and associate degrees; and a modest econ o mic g rowth, but by 1999 the -0.6 large and diverse programme of continuing economy had stalle d, moving into recession -0.9 education for mature students. in 2000, and shrank by some nine per cent in -1.2 2001–03. The IMF agreed to financial support Media: The Chronicle (founded in 1909), The -1.5 tied to tax increases and cuts in public 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Sun , The Times and The Tropical Star are all expenditure and good growth resumed in weekly. 2004–05, driven by tourism, recovery in banana production and a booming The Dominica Broadcasting Corporation Inflation provides a public radio service, competing construction sector. This growth continued % with several commercial or faith stations. 3.5 through 2007, when Hurricane Dean caused There is no national TV service on the island 3.0 widespread devastation, until 2009 when the but a private cable network covers part of the 2.5 impact of the global recession was keenly country. felt, causing the economy to stall again in 2.0 2010–13, before returning to growth of at Communications: Country code 1 767; 1.5 least one per cent in 2014. internet domain ‘.dm’. The main post office is 1.0 in Roseau. 0.5 History For every 1,000 people there are 238 landlines, 1,300 mobile phone subscriptions 0.0 Throughout its history the fertile island of and 590 internet users (2013). -0.5 Dominica has attracted settlers and 20092010 2011 2012 2013 colonisers and has been the subject of Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Labour Day military, and often bloody, squabbles of (first Monday in May), August Monday (first and co coa ) to new crops (such as citrus, European powers. At the time of Columbus’s Monday in August), National Day (3 melons, pineapples and mangoes), and visit on a Sunday ( dies dominica ) in November), Community Service Day (4 developing export-oriented small industries November 1493, the island was a stronghold November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (notably garments and electronics of the Caribs from South America who were Religious festivals whose dates vary from year assembly), taking advantage of such driving out t he Ar a waks. In 1627 the English to year include Carnival (two days in preferences as the Caribbean Basin Initiative took theoretic al po ssession without settling,

February/March), Good Friday, Easter Monday (CBI), which allows access to the US but by 1632 the island had become a de and Whit Monday. market. facto French colony; it remained so until They have also encouraged development of 1759 when the English captured it. In 1660 Economy tourism and especially eco-tourism. The key the English and French agreed to leave the Caribs in undisturbed possession, but in fact KEY FACTS 2013 to expansion of tourism was seen in the 1990s as the construction of a new airport French settlers went on arriving, bringing GNI: US$493m enslaved Africans with them. Dominica with a runway long enough for long-haul jets changed hands between the two European GNI p.c.: US$6,760 from North America and Europe, but it powers, passing back to France (1778) and GDP growth: –0.5% p.a. 2009–13 proved impossible to secure financial backing again to England (1783). The French for the project. Inflation: 1.4% p.a. 2009–13 attempted to invade in 1795 and 1805 Between 1991 and 1997, Dominica received Dominica’s economy is vulnerable. Much of before eventually withdrawing, leaving about US$15 million in investment and the island is mountainous and less than 25 Britain in possession. acquired some 750 new citizens – mainly per cent of the country is under cultivation. In 1833 the island was linked to Antigua and non-resident Taiwanese – under its ‘economic Its location exposes it to tropical storms and the other Leeward Islands under a Governor- citizenship programme’ which allowed people hurricanes, which have caused severe General at Antigua, but subsequently to become citizens in return for a substantial damage to the crops making up the became part of the Federation of the investment in Dominica. In the latter 1990s, country’s economic base, particularly to Leeward Islands Colony (1871–1939) before bananas. There were three severe becoming a unit of the Windward Islands hurricanes in the 1980s, and in 1995 GDP by sector (2013) group (1940–60). Dominica joined the West Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn caused severe Indies Federation at its foundation in 1958 damage. The country is also vulnerable in and remained a member until differences Agriculture its dependence on banana exports to the among larger members led to its dissolution 16.9% EU. in 1962. Industry Since the 1980s, successive governments 13.8% Within Dominica, the formation of the have therefore introduced measures to (DLP) from the Services diversify the economy, encouraging a shift 69.3% People’s National Movement and other from traditional crops (such as sugar, coffee groups in the early 1960s spurred local

The CommonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Dominica

demand for greater autonomy in internal President, five on the advice of the Prime In October 2003 Dr was affairs. Edward LeBlanc became Chief Minister, four on the advice of the Leader of elected President by the House of Assembly Minister in 1961. Under his leadership, in the Opposition. Elections are held at least for a five-year term. In January 2004 Charles 1967 Dominica became one of the West every five years, with universal suffrage for died suddenly and Roosevelt Skerrit was Indies Associated States, with full internal adults. sworn in as Prime Minister. self-government, while the UK remained The President is nominated by the Prime In the general election in May 2005, the DLP responsible for foreign policy and defence. At Minister and Leader of the Opposition and took 12 seats, the UWP eight and LeBlanc’s retirement in 1974, elected by the House of Assembly for not independents one. DFP failed to win any succeeded as DLP leader and Premier. After more than two terms of five years. He or she seats and was unable to continue as coalition winning a large majority at the 1975 appoints the Prime Minister, who consults the partner with DLP in government. elections, John pursued the course agreed by President in appointing other ministers. The the Associated States to seek independence In December 2009, in an election that was separately. President may dismiss the Prime Minister in called early, the DLP won 18 seats – with 61.2 the event of a no-confidence vote in the per cent of the vote – and the UWP the On 3 November 1978, Dominica achieved House of Assembly. Individual rights are balance of three (34.9 per cent). In early independence as a republic within the guaranteed under the constitution. January 2010 Skerrit announced his new Commonwealth, and took the name of cabinet, in which he was Finance and Foreign Commonwealth of Dominica. John became Roseau (the capital) and the Carib Territory Affairs Minister. its first Prime Minister, and Frederick Degazon have a measure of self-government. The the non-executive President. Caribs elect their chief. Following the resignation of President Nicholas Liverpool, the House of Assembly In 1979 the DLP government collapsed and elected Eliud Williams as his successor on 17 Oliver Seraphine of the Committee for Politics September 2012. National Salvation (CNS) was invited to form Last elections: 8 December 2014 an interim government and prepare the way On 30 September 2013 was Next elections: 2019 for elections within six months. The elections elected President by the House of Assembly in were won by the Dominica Head of state: President Charles Savarin for a five-year term. Freedom Party (DFP) led by Eugenia Charles (2013–) Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the DLP (who became the first woman Prime Head of government: Prime Minister were returned to power in the general Minister in the region), winning 17 of the 21 Roosevelt Skerrit election on 8 December 2014, winning 15 seats. Patrick John, who had led the country Ruling party: Dominica Labour Party seats. The UWP secured the remaining six to independence, and Seraphine lost their elective seats. seats. Women MPs: 22% There were two coup attempts early in the The economy continued to dominate the International relations 1980s allegedly organised by factions of the political agenda. The government’s top priority Defence Force sympathetic to the John in the run-up to the 2000 elections had been Dominica is a member of the African, regime. In 1985, John was himself convicted to secure financial backing for its new airport Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of involvement in one such attempt, and project – the key to expansion of the tourism Association of Caribbean States, Caribbean sentenced to 12 years imprisonment; the industry, which was set to become crucial as, Community, Non-Aligned Movement, following year the former commander of inevitably, the international banana market Organisation internationale de la the Defence Force was hanged for became more competitive. Francophonie, Organisation of Eastern murdering a police officer during a coup Caribbean States, Organization of American In the January 2000 general election, the attempt. States, United Nations and World Trade Dominica Labour Party (DLP – ten seats) Organization. Eugenia Charles led the DFP to victory in the narrowly defeated the United Workers Party 1990 general election, but, in June 1995, (UWP) (nine seats). The DLP formed a shortly after her retirement from politics, the coalition with the Dominica Freedom Party Traveller information DFP lost its majority. The United Workers (DFP – two seats) and Roosevelt (Rosie) Immigration and customs: Passports must Party (UWP) emerged as election victor with Douglas became Prime Minister. Following his be valid for at least six months from the date 11 seats; the DFP and the DLP each won sudden death in October 2000, he was of departure. Visas are not generally five. , leader of the UWP, was succeeded by Communications and Works required by Commonwealth nationals. invited by the President to form a Minister Pierre Charles. Prohibited imports include certain plant government. Further information Constitution Status: Republic Dominica government: www.dominica.gov.dm Electoral Office: electoraloffice.gov.dm Legislature: House of Assembly House of Assembly: ouseofassembly.gov.dm Independence: 3 November 1978 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank: www.eccb-centralbank.org Discover Dominica Authority: www.dominica.dm Dominica is a republic with a non-executive Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org presidency and parliamentary democracy. It Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/ has a unicameral House of Assembly with 30 country/Dominica members plus the Speaker and Attorney- Media General. There are 21 directly elected Dominica Broadcasting Corporation: news.dbcradio.net members and nine senators appointed by the

The CommonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Dominica

material including avocados, bananas, licence can be used to obtain a temporary Travel health: Prevalent diseases where coconuts and coffee, as well as animal visitor’s permit for drivers between the ages appropriate precautionary measures are products. of 25 and 65. recommended include dengue fever, Travel within the country: Driving is on the Bus services connect towns and villages. Taxi typhoid and hepatitis B. left. An international driving permit is rates are set by law and drivers do not expect recommended, though a foreign driving to be tipped. There were 78,000 tourist arrivals in 2013.

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The CommonwealTh Yearbook 2015