COUNTRY PROFILE

GENERAL

Official Name

Commonwealth of Dominica

Short Name

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka)

Indigenous Kalinago

Name Wai’tukubuli meaning ‘Tall is Her Body’

Capital City

Roseau

Languages

Main: English, Widely spoken: Creole - a French-based Patois (pronounced Kwéyòl)

Time Zone

Dominica Time is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-4), which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.

Population Total

74,308 (2018 census)

Indigenous Population

3,000 Kalinagos (originally called Caribs by Europeans)

Indigenous Reserve

Kalinago (Carib) Territory

Religions

Predominantly Christian, a few other faiths

Political System

Independent Republic; Parliamentary Democracy, Political Independence: November 3, 1978 (from the United Kingdom), Member of the British Commonwealth

Economy

Agriculture & Tourism

Tourism Brand

The Nature Island based on three pillars: Nature, Culture & Adventure with an overall theme: Wellness

Electrical

Dominica's electrical services use 220/240 volts. American appliances are quite popular, but require transformers for voltage conversion. Many accommodations offer both outlets, but it would be wise to receive confirmation from the specific establishment.

Currency

The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which trades at EC$2.67 to US$1.00. Banks will offer EC$2.68 for a US$1.00 traveler's cheque. Everywhere on the island, businesses accept United States Dollars, British Pounds, and Euros.

 

GEOGRAPHY

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Region

Eastern Caribbean between the French islands of Guadeloupe (north) and Martinique (south)

Climate

Visitors to Dominica should expect plenty of sunshine interjected by intermittent rainfall. The island's annual temperature averages at 27 C. Frequent rainfall cools the tropical heat, nourishes the island's extensive rainforest, and feeds its rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. On the coast, average rainfall registers 1,780 mm, but in the interior that figure is triple.