kids encyclopedia robot

Dominica facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Commonwealth of Dominica

Coat of arms of Dominica
Coat of arms
Motto: "Après Bondie, C'est La Ter"  (Antillean Creole)
"After God is the Earth"
"Après le Bon Dieu, c'est la Terre"
Anthem: Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
Location of Dominica
Capital
and largest city
Roseau
15°18′N 61°23′W / 15.300°N 61.383°W / 15.300; -61.383
Official languages English
Recognised national languages
Ethnic groups
(2001)
Black 86.8%
Mixed 8.9%
Carib Amerindian 2.9%
White 0.8%
Other 0.7%
Demonym(s) Dominican
Government Parliamentary republic
• President
Charles Savarin
Roosevelt Skerrit
Independence
• from the United Kingdom
3 November 1978
Area
• Total
790 km2 (310 sq mi) (184th)
• Water (%)
1.6
Population
• July 2009 estimate
72,660 (195th)
• 2011 census
71,293
• Density
105/km2 (271.9/sq mi) (95th)
GDP (PPP) 2011 estimate
• Total
$977 million
• Per capita
$13,815
GDP (nominal) 2011 estimate
• Total
$489 million
• Per capita
$6,909
HDI (2007) Increase 0.724
high · 73rd
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Time zone UTC–4 (Eastern Caribbean)
Driving side left
Calling code +1-767
ISO 3166 code DM
Internet TLD .dm
  1. Rank based on 2005 UN estimate.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. It is an English-speaking country. It is between the French-speaking territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The island is 751 km² (290 mi²) in area. Roseau is its capital. Portsmouth is another main town. Almost 70,000 people live on the island.

The currency of the island is the East Caribbean dollar.

The island's name comes from the Latin for Sunday, Dies Dominica. It is not the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic in the Greater Antilles.

The country is nicknamed the Nature Island of the Caribbean.

Dominica is most famously depicted in Jean Rhys' classic prequel to Jane Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea.

History

The indigenous Carib people lived in Dominca before it was found by Europeans. They called it Wai‘tu kubuli, which means "Tall is her body."

Christopher Columbus came to Dominica in 1493. In 1763, it became a territory of the United Kingdom from which its independence was received on 3 November 1978.

In August 1979, Hurricane David, wiped out its entire infrastructure. On 21 November 2004, the island was hit by its most destructive earthquake in history; Portsmouth and the northern area were deeply affected.

On 18 September 2018, Hurricane Maria, the most powerful storm to hit the island, severely damaged its infrastructure and cut off all its communications to the outside world. The Assessment Capacities Project estimates that the hurricane has caused $1.37 billion in losses across the island, which is equal to 226 percent of its 2016 GDP. As of April 12, there are 65 fatalities confirmed across the island, including 34 who are missing and presumed to be dead.

In 1980, Dame Eugenia Charles became its prime minister, the first female government leader in the West Indies.

Geography

Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. It is the northernmost of the Windward Islands.

Dominica is largely covered by rainforest. It is home to the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a tropical forest with scenic volcanic features. It was recognised as a World Heritage Site on 4 April 1995.

Administrative divisions

Dominica is divided into 10 parishes, given below with their 2011 Census populations:

Sports

Cricket is a popular sport on the island. Dominica competes in test cricket as part of the West Indies cricket team.

Netball, basketball, rugby, tennis and association football are gaining popularity as well.

Gallery

Related pages




Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Dominica para niños

kids search engine
Dominica Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.