Overview

The island, which was originally occupied by Carib Indians (some of whose descendants remain), was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and colonised by the French in the 1600s. In 1805, the island became a British possession and remained under British rule until 1967, when internal self-government was granted, followed by full independence in 1978. Post-independence politics have been somewhat stormy, with two coup attempts by leftist members of the island’s Defence Force during the early 1980s.

The largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, with volcanic peaks, mountain streams and rivers, beaches of both black (volcanic) and golden sands, dense forests, quiet lakes, waterfalls, geysers and boiling volcanic pools, Dominica is potentially a major tourist destination. It has a relatively low crime rate for the Caribbean and although it is among the poorest countries in the region, disparities in wealth are not as marked as in the larger Caribbean islands. However, poor infrastructure and the absence of a large airport has impeded the growth of tourism. Proposals to build an airport capable of taking large jet aircraft have yet to materialise as there is concern that an increase in tourist arrivals, even with the promotion of eco-tourism, would damage the island's finely balanced environment.

General Information

Location

Caribbean, Leeward Islands

Time

GMT - 4

Area

754 sq km (290 sq miles)

Population

69,029 (2005)

Population Density

91.5 per sq km.

Capital

Roseau

Population: 14,500 (UN estimate 2005)

Geography

Dominica is a large and mountainous island, geographically part of the Leeward Islands, though historically for administrative purposes it has been grouped with the Windward Islands. It boasts volcanic peaks, mountain streams and rivers, dense forests, quiet lakes, waterfalls, geysers and boiling volcanic pools. There are beaches of both black (volcanic) and golden sands, while orchids and untamed subtropical vegetation grow in the valleys. Guadeloupe lies to the north and Martinique to the south.

Government

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1978. Head of State: Nicholas Liverpool since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit since 2004. Recent history: Roosevelt Skerrit, who was 31 when he took office, was sworn in as Dominica's youngest Prime Minister two days after the sudden death of his predecessor, Pierre Charles, in January 2004. Mr Skerrit pledged to boost Dominica's sluggish economy, which relies heavily on tourism and the export of bananas. In 2004, Mr Skerrit's Government cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of ties with mainland China, which had agreed to give more than US$100 million in aid to Dominica.

Language

The official language is English, but Creole French, the national language, is spoken by most of the population.

Religion

Almost entirely Christian, with Roman Catholic majority.

Electricity

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin European-style plugs are usual.

Social Conventions

Casual dress is normal. Evening clothes are informal but conservative. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant social influences. Photography: Visitors should ask before taking photographs of local people.

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of Canada and the USA holding proof of citizenship bearing a photograph and return or onward tickets.
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.php.
(b) 2. nationals of France holding National Identity Cards (Carte d’Identité) for stays of up to two weeks.

Note: A certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas (excludes children under one year and transit passengers not leaving the airport).

Visas

Not required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) 3. nationals of the UK, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France (stay limited to two weeks when entering with a National Identity Card), Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luzembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the USA for stays of up to six months;
(b) 4. nationals of Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia for tourist stays of up to 21 days, provided they have a return ticket and satisfy the immigration officer that they do not wish to stay for longer. For an extension, visitors should apply to the Immigration Department at the Police Headquarters in Roseau, Dominica;
(c) all transit passengers provided holding return tickets for stays of up to 21 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Special visa arrangements will apply from 15 January to 15 May (during the Cricket World Cup 2007) in order to ease travel between CARICOM countries. These apply to all visitors for any purpose. See www.caricom.org/jsp/cwc_2007/caricom_special_visa.jsp?menu=cwc for more information.

Currency

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD; symbol EC$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also legal tender.

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is tied at a fixed rate to the US Dollar.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change.

Credit / Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard (limited) and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. ATMs are located around the island.

Travellers Cheque Advice

Accepted by most hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. If holding a credit card, export is limited to EC$2500 and any currency in excess of this will require proof of conversion.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0800-1500, Fri 0800-1700.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1-2 Jan New Year.
19-20 Feb Carnival.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
7 May Bank Holiday.
28 May Whit Monday.
6 Aug August Monday.
3 Nov Independence Day.
4 Nov Community Service Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2008
1-2 Jan New Year.
4-5 Feb Carnival.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
5 May Bank Holiday.
12 May Whit Monday.
4 Aug August Monday.
3 Nov Independence Day.
4 Nov Community Service Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Getting There by Air

The main airline to serve Dominica is LIAT (LI) (website: www.liatairline.com.) Other airlines serving Dominica include American Eagle (website: www.aa.com), and Caribbean Star (website: www.flycaribbeanstar.com). There are currently no direct, non-stop flights from Europe or the USA, mostly because the two airports are too small for jets. Popular routes from Europe are via Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique or Puerto Rico, then a local flight to Dominica.

Main Airports

(turbo-prop only): Melville Hall (DOM), the older of the two airports, is approximately 64km (40 miles) northeast of Roseau.
Canefield (DCF) is approximately 5km (3 miles) north of Roseau. Facilities: Snack bars, tourist information office, shops, left luggage and car hire (Avis and Budget.) To/from the airport: Taxis are widely available, but look for the uniformed taxi drivers who are trained and authorised. Buses are available from Roseau, and travel to all the major towns.

Departure Tax

US$17 for Dominican residents and US$21 for non-residents. Transit passengers continuing their journey on the same day and children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Flight Times

From Roseau to London via Antigua is approximately 10 hours (depending on length of stopover), to Los Angeles is 10 hours and to New York is seven hours.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Woodbridge Bay, Roseau and Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth. Geest and several other island-hopping freight lines stop in Dominica. Generally, passenger accommodation is comfortable but numbers are limited, so book well in advance. L’Express des Îles, a scheduled ferry service, connects Dominica with Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Martinique on a 300-seat catamaran. Caribbean Ferries also operate regular services between Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique. There is an EC$20 departure tax. Cruise liners stop at Woodbridge Bay, 5km (3 miles) outside Roseau. There is a cruise ship jetty at Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth.

Flight Times

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Roseau to other places in Dominica.

Getting Around by Road

There are more than 700km (450 miles) of well-maintained roads on the island and there is little traffic outside Roseau. Traffic drives on the left. There is a 32kmph (20mph) speed limit in towns and villages. Bus: Services connect all towns and villages. Taxis are efficient. Car hire: Available (see Travel – International section) but some roads can be difficult. Visiting drivers must be between 25 and 65 years old and have had at least two years' driving experience in order to apply for a local driver's permit; permits cost US$12 or EC$30 for three months. Jeep and minibus tours operated by local firms offer the best means of sightseeing; all vehicles chartered for this purpose must be hired for at least three hours; Reservation is advisable for better rates; Speed limits are 20mph on most roads. Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended. A valid foreign licence can be used to get a Temporary Visitor’s Permit.

Communications

Telephone

IDD available. Country code: 1 767.

Mobile Telephone

TDMA network. Unregistered roaming is available – visitors with TDMA handsets can make calls without registering, provided they can give a credit card number. Handsets can be hired.

Internet

Access is available at the offices of Cable & Wireless in Roseau, at an Internet cafe and in some hotels.

Post

There are no Poste Restante facilities. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600; smaller branches: 1500-1700. The main post office is located at Bayfront, Roseau. Mail takes one to three weeks to arrive in Europe and the USA.

Media

There are no daily newspapers in Dominica. There is no national television service, but a private cable TV network covers part of the island. There is a mix of public and private radio stations. All media are free from Government interference.

Press

Newspapers are in English. These include The Chronicle, The Sun and the The Tropical Star,

Television

Marpin Telecom and Broadcasting is a cable TV provider.

Radio

DBS Radio is operated by state broadcaster Dominica Broadcasting Corporation; Q95 FM is a commercial station; Kairi FM is operated by Island Communication Corporation; Voice of Life Radio-ZGBC is a religious station.

Climate

Hot, subtropical climate throughout the year. The main rainy season is between June and October, when it is hottest.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens. Waterproofing is advisable throughout most of the year.

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