| Also known as: |
Nature Island of the Caribbean (Source:
Caribbean Islands Handbook (Footprint Handbooks) 8th ed.)
|
Motto: |
After the Good Lord, we Love the Earth
|
Location: |
The most northerly and largest of the Windward Islands
situated between Guadeloupe to the north, and Martinique to the south.
|
History: |
Dominica was occupied first by the Amerindians.
It was sighted and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The island
changed
hands several times in the 18th century, but it finally became British
in 1805. It was joined to the Leeward, then the Windward Island,
and achieved separate status in 1960. Dominica became
a British Associate State in 1967, and gained independence on November
3, 1978.
|
Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2010. Next
election due 2015
|
Ruling Party: |
Dominica Labour Party (DLP)
|
Major Political Parties: |
Dominica Labour Party (DLP), United Workers Party (UWP),
Dominica Freedom Party (DFP)
|
Economic Summary: |
Agriculture and fishing accounted
for 20.5 per
cent of GDP in 1997. Bananas are the main export crop. Copra,
produced from local coconuts, supports the main manufacturing industry,
soap. Eco-tourism is being promoted, with rainforests, volcanic scenery
and scuba diving as the main attractions. A deep-water harbour and a
cruise-ship terminal are two of the infra-structural development
efforts impacting on the national economy.
|
Airports: |
Canefield; Melville Hall
|
Status: |
Independent Republic - 3 November 1978
|
Capital: |
Roseau
|
Head of State: |
H.E. Dr. Nicholas Joseph Orville Liverpool, DAH, President
|
Head of Government: |
on. Roosevelt Skerrit,
Prime Minister
Date of Birth: 8 June 1972
Marital Status: Single
Education:
1990-1992: Clifton Dupigny
Community College (now The Dominica State College)
1994-1995: New Mexico
State University
1995-1997: B.A. Philosophy
and English, University of Mississippi
Professional/Political Career
2000 - Elected to House of Assembly;
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs
2005 -
Elected Prime Minister
2010 - Re-elected Prime Minister
|
Area: |
750 km2 (290 miles2)
|
Population: |
69,810 (2004)
|
GDP |
EC$771.0 Mn (2004)
|
GDP Per Capita (at current market prices):
|
EC$11,045 (2004) |
Total Exports: |
EC$111.3 Mn(2004)
|
Total Imports: |
EC$390.8 Mn(2004)
|
Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$68.4 Mn (2004)
|
Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$115.6 Mn (2004)
|
Business Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government:
8:00-14:00 hrs Monday to Friday
|
National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Carnival (Monday and Tuesday
before Ash Wednesday); Good Friday, Easter Monday; Labour Day (01 May);
Whit Monday (50 days after Easter Sunday); August Monday (First Monday
in August); Independence Day (03 November); Community Day of Service
(04 November); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December)
Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the
following Monday
|
Date of CARICOM Membership:
|
1 May 1974 |
National Anthem: |
Isle of Beauty
Isle of beauty,
isle of splendour,
Isle of all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder,
At thy gifts so rich and rare,
Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains,
All these gifts we do extol,
Healthy lands so like all fountains,
Giving cheer, that warms the soul.
Dominica God hath blest thee,
With a clime benign and bright,
Pastures green and flow'rs of beauty,
Filling all with pure delight,
And a people strong and healthy,
Full of Godly reverent fear,
May we ever seek to praise thee,
For these gifts so rich and rare.
Come ye forward, sons and daughters,
Of this Gem beyond compare,
Strive for honour sons and daughters,
Do the right be firm be fair.
Toil with hearts and hands and voices,
We must prosper! Sound the call,
In which everyone rejoices
"All for Each and Each for All!"
(Words by W.O.M. Pond, Music by L.M.
Christian)
|
Highest National Award:
|
Sisserou Award of Honour
|
Favourite Dishes:
|
Mountain Chicken; Lobster Dominic
|
Government web page:
|
|
| (February 2006) |
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