47 Facts About Dominica

Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" for its natural environment.

The Sisserou parrot, known as the Imperial amazon and found only on Dominica, is the island's national bird and featured on the national flag, making it one of the only two sovereign nations whose official flag features the color purple.

Dominica's name is locally pronounced with emphasis on the third syllable, following the Spanish pronunciation of its name given to it by Christopher Columbus.

Dominica first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene era approximately 26 million years ago, making it one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity.

In 1761, during the Seven Years' War in Europe, a British expedition against Dominica led by Andrew Rollo conquered the island, along with several other Caribbean islands.

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In 1838, Dominica became the first colony of the British West Indies to have an elected legislature controlled by an ethnic African majority.

In 1940, administration of Dominica was transferred from the British Leeward Islands to the British Windward Islands.

Until 1958, Dominica was governed as part of the British Windward Islands.

Caribbean islands sought independence from 1958 to 1962, and Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation in 1958.

On 3 November 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica was granted independence as a republic, led by Prime Minister Patrick John.

The first was led by Frederick Newton, commander of the Military of Dominica, who organised an attack on the police headquarters in Roseau which resulted in the death of a police officer.

The continuing downturn in the economy and the tight grip by Eugenia Charles on Dominica politics gave rise to a self-titled "Third Force" political formation in 1988, which disrupted the traditional two-party arrangement of governing DFP and opposition DLP.

Dominica was again struck on 18 September 2017, suffering a direct landfall from Category 5 Hurricane Maria.

Dominica won its first two Commonwealth Games medals in silver and bronze in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

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

Dominica is especially vulnerable to hurricanes as the island is located in what is referred to as the hurricane region.

Dominica has recorded at least four species of snakes and 11 species of lizards.

Dominica is the last major stronghold of the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana.

Dominica is home to 195 species of birds, because of the isolated location of Dominica this is a lesser number compared to Trinidad which is located closer to mainland South-America with 472 bird species.

Dominica is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations.

Unlike other former British colonies in the region, Dominica was never a Commonwealth realm, instead becoming a republic on independence.

Dominica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Dominica is a member of the International Criminal Court, with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection with the US military, as covered under Article 98.

In January 2008, Dominica joined the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas.

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

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In 2008, Dominica had one of the lowest per capita gross domestic product rates of Eastern Caribbean states.

Dominica is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods.

Dominica belongs to the predominantly English-speaking Caribbean Community, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Commonwealth of Dominica is becoming in recent years a major international financial centre.

However, the Commonwealth of Dominica successfully avoided being placed on the OECD black list by committing to regulatory reform to improve transparency and begin information exchange with OECD member countries about their citizens.

Dominica supposedly offers tax-free status to companies relocating from abroad.

However, on 12 July 2012 Dominica signed an agreement with Poland to exchange tax information.

Commonwealth of Dominica offers an official and legally mandated economic citizenship to those seeking a valid second citizenship.

Dominica is mostly volcanic and has few beaches; therefore, tourism has developed more slowly than on neighbouring islands.

In early March 2018 Dominica signed an International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement, in an attempt to exploit solar energy to power the country with a source of renewable energy.

Dominica is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Kalinago, who were exterminated or driven from neighbouring islands.

Population growth rate of Dominica is very low, due primarily to emigration to other countries.

Dominica was partially integrated into the federal colony of the Leeward Islands in 1832.

The creation of a public library in Dominica did not come easily though the impetus was a noble one that would help "the coloured people.

Dominica gained prominence on the international music stage when in 1973, Gordon Henderson founded the group Exile One and an original musical genre, which he coined "Cadence-lypso".

Dominica's music is a melange of Haitian, Afro-Cuban, African and European traditions.

Dominica is often seen as a society that is migrating from collectivism to that of individualism.

Dominica's cuisine is similar to that of other Caribbean islands, particularly Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Saltfish and bakes are combined for a fast food snack that can be eaten throughout the day; vendors on Dominica's streets sell these snacks to passersby, together with fried chicken, fish and fruit and yogurt "smoothies".

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

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In West Indies domestic first-class cricket, Dominica participates as part of the Windward Islands cricket team, although they are often considered a part of the Leeward Islands geographically.

Dominica has two major newspapers, The Sun and The Chronicle.