Places / North & Central America
Dominica
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At a glance
- Region
- Caribbean
- Capital
- Roseau
- Population
- 66,000 (2024)
- Area
- 751 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +1 767
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Before you go
Overview
The Commonwealth of Dominica is a Caribbean island country.
The country recorded a population of 71,625 in 2018 and covers an area of 750 km2.
The capital city is Roseau.
Its landmarks include the 18th century Creole architecture, Dominica Museum and Dominica Botanic Gardens.
The Capital, Roseau
History
Dominica was first colonized by France in 1690s, who brought in a lot of slaves from West Africa to work on their coffee plantations there.
Britain later took control of the country in 1763, following the Seven Years’ War, and gave a legislative assembly only to the whites but later extended it to the non-whites in 1831.
Slavery was abolished in the country in 1834.
The country gained a black-controlled legislature in 1838.
It became self-governing with a legislative council in 1960.
It received full independence in 1978.
Food & culture
The country’s culture is influenced by the British, French, Caribs and Africans who had been in the country as slaves.
The major crops grown are citrus fruits, coconuts, grapefruits, lemons, oranges, vegetables and limes.
The most popular dishes are mountain chicken, manicou, agouti, sancocho, callaloo soup, codfish sandwich and sorrel punch.
Wildlife
The most common wildlife animals in the country include iguanas, snakes, gecko, whistling frog, Dominican mountain chicken and anole lizards.
Festivals & events
The most popular events include Easter, Independence Day, Labor Day, Carnival, Emancipation Day, World Creole Festival and Dive Fest.
Things to see
Boiling Lake is filled with bubbling grey-blue water produced in a cloud of vapour.
The Morne Trois Pitons National Park established in 1975 is listed in the World Heritage Site.
Cabrits National Park is home to a rainforest, wetlands and coral reefs.
Other must-visit places are Titou Gorge, Trafalgar Falls, Champagne Reef and Dominica Botanic Gardens.
Interesting facts
The Boiling Lake in Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the world’s second-largest boiling lake after Frying Pan Lake.
The famous Pirates of the Caribbean show was filmed in Dominica.
The capital city is surrounded by sulfur springs and black sand beaches.
Neighbours
Dominica has no land borders with other countries.
My Bucket List goals in Dominica
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.