Dominica

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Commonwealth of Dominica

(In Detail)
National motto: After God is the Earth
Official language	English
Capital	Roseau
President	Nicholas Liverpool
Prime Minister	Roosevelt Skerrit
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 221th 754 km² 1,6%
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 212th 70,000 139,5/km²
Currency	East Caribbean Dollar
Time zone	UTC -4
Independence	From UK November 3, 1978
National anthem	Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
Internet TLD	.dm
Calling Code	1-767

The Commonwealth of Dominica is a Caribbean island nation, a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth. Unlike other former British colonies in the region, Dominica was never a Commonwealth realm with the British monarch as head of state, as it instead became a republic on independence.

It is not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, another Caribbean nation. The name is pronounced "Dom-in-EEK-a," with the accent on the third syllable.

History

Main article: History of Dominica The island was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia Charles, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Dominica The President is head of state, while executive power rests with the Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister. The unicameral parliament consists of the 30-member House of Assembly, which consists of twenty-one directly elected members and nine Senators, who may either be appointed by the President or elected by the other members of the House.

Parishes

Main article: Parishes of Dominica

Geography

Main article: Geography of Dominica Commonly referred to as "The Nature Island", Dominica is largely covered by lush rainforest, and is home to the world's second-largest boiling lake.

The capital is Roseau.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Dominica

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Dominica

Culture

Main article: Culture of Dominica

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Dominica
• Transportation in Dominica
• Military of Dominica
• Foreign relations of Dominica