About Dominica

Located between Guadeloupe and Martinique, the total area of the Commonwealth of Dominica is 751 sq km with a population of 69.278. The official language is English, but throughout the island the French patois is frequently spoken. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (2.7169 to the US$).

Known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular and varied flora and fauna, Dominica is the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles. The volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world. The dense Rainforest is another main attraction and releases hundreds of pure rivers cascading over magnificent waterfalls.

Due to the fierce resistance of the native Carib Indians, Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans. Some 3,000 Carib Indians are still living on Dominica. They are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the Eastern Caribbean. The original Carib name for Dominica is "Waitikubuli", and many of the villages still retain their Carib name.

The capital Roseau was founded and named by French settlers in the early 1700s, but the city we know today is based mainly on the grid layout planned and built by the British in 1768. When taking a walk through the small streets, the visitor still finds remaining examples of Victorian architecture with a Creole flavour.

Roseau is also the birthplace of the reputable writer Jean Rhys. To name only one of her remarkable works: the novel "Wide Sargasso Sea", published in 1966.

In its entirety, Dominica is definitely a remarkable place to visit and experience the serene beauty as well as the adventure waiting for you around every corner.