Dominica
Dominica first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene Epoch approximately 27 million years ago. It stands as one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity. The island remains geologically active today, evidenced by the world's second-largest hot spring known as Boiling Lake. This feature sits within Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a tropical forest blended with volcanic features recognized as a World Heritage Site on the 4th of April 1995. The highest point on the island is Morne Diablotins at an elevation of 1,447 meters. Dominica is the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, with peaks that are cones of lava craters including Morne aux Diables and Morne Anglais. Heavy rainfall occurs inland while dry shrubland areas exist in some western coastal regions. The island has several protected areas including Cabrits National Park and boasts 365 rivers flowing through its terrain.
The Kalinago displaced the Arawak people by the 15th century after arriving from South America in the fifth century. Christopher Columbus passed the island on Sunday the 3rd of November 1493 naming it Dominica after the Latin term for Sunday. French missionaries like Raymond Breton became the first regular European visitors between 1642 and 1650. In 1690 the French established their first permanent settlements bringing enslaved Africans from West Africa to work on coffee plantations. Great Britain took possession in 1763 after the Seven Years' War following a British expedition led by Andrew Rollo. The same year France lost the war and ceded the island under the Treaty of Paris. In 1778 the French began re-capturing Dominica with active cooperation from the population ending in 1783 by the second Treaty of Paris which returned control to Britain. The island population especially those considered free colored resisted British restrictions throughout French invasions in 1795 and 1805 during the Haitian Revolution period.
Hillsborough Estate stands as the best documented slave plantation on the island holding 71 male and 68 female slaves. In January 1814 twenty slaves absconded from Hillsborough only to be recaptured and punished with one hundred lashes applied to males and fifty for females. They reportedly believed a person had died in the plantation hospital and suspected poisoning. The Brown Privilege Bill of 1831 conferred political and social rights on free blacks mostly people of mixed race with African and European ancestry. With the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 Britain ended slavery throughout its empire except India. In 1835 the first three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica. By 1838 Dominica became the first colony of the British West Indies to have an elected legislature controlled by an ethnic African majority. Most legislators had been free people of colour and smallholders or merchants before abolition. Many slaves from neighboring French colonial islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique fled to Dominica seeking freedom.
Dominica gained independence as a republic on the 3rd of November 1978 led by Prime Minister Patrick John. Political discontent climaxed in mid-1979 causing a civilian coup that collapsed his administration. An Interim Government formed under Oliver Seraphin prepared the country for fresh elections due in 1980. Hurricane David struck in 1980 killing 56 people and causing untold damage across the island. Eugenia Charles won the 1980 election becoming the Caribbean's first female prime minister. Two attempted coups threatened her government in 1981. Frederick Newton commander of the Military of Dominica organized an attack on police headquarters resulting in one death. Newton was executed in 1986 while five accomplices received life sentences. A second takeover attempt involved mercenaries Mike Perdue and Wolfgang Droege in Operation Red Dog but failed when the FBI tipped off authorities. The ship hired to transport them never left dock. White supremacist Don Black faced jail time for violating US neutrality laws. Roosevelt Skerrit became world's youngest head of government at age 31 replacing Pierre Charles who died in office the 6th of January 2004.
The sisserou parrot also known as imperial amazon is critically endangered and found only on Dominica. It serves as the national bird featured on the flag making Dominica one of two sovereign nations with purple on its official banner. Related species like the jaco or red-necked parrot are also endemic and protected. The island hosts 195 species of birds though fewer than Trinidad which has 472 due to isolation. At least four snake species and eleven lizard species inhabit the forests including the critically endangered Lesser Antillean iguana. Sperm whales live year-round in surrounding waters alongside spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Other cetaceans include killer whales humpback whales and Bryde's whales making it a whale-watching destination. Morne Trois Pitons National Park blends tropical forest with volcanic features recognized as World Heritage Site the 4th of April 1995. The country had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 1.06 out of 10 ranking 166th globally out of 172 countries.
Tropical Storm Erika devastated the island in August 2015 killing 30 people and causing severe environmental damage. Category 5 Hurricane Maria struck the 18th of September 2017 destroying 90% of buildings leaving infrastructure in ruins. Early estimates suggested losses of approximately US$930 million representing 226% of GDP. The UK France and Netherlands set up shipping and air lifts taking aid to the island where most people became homeless. In response the government introduced Citizenship by Investment fees starting at US$100,000 through Economic Diversification Fund. Applicants could alternatively make US$200,000 minimum investment in pre-approved real estate from resorts like Marriott Kempinski or Hilton. Officials called the program an economic lifeline after Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria becoming main source of Foreign Direct Investment by early 2016. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit pledged building 5,000 hurricane-proof homes with first batch of 125 scheduled for occupancy February 2019. The CBI Programme helped develop national health insurance pilot providing overseas treatment for children in critical medical conditions. It also created jobs in ecotourism sector while setting aside EC$5m monthly for new airport construction.
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Common questions
When was Dominica formed geologically?
Dominica first emerged from the sea during the Oligocene Epoch approximately 27 million years ago. It stands as one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity.
Who named Dominica and when did Christopher Columbus pass the island?
Christopher Columbus passed the island on Sunday the 3rd of November 1493 naming it Dominica after the Latin term for Sunday. The Kalinago displaced the Arawak people by the 15th century after arriving from South America in the fifth century.
What is the highest point on Dominica and what is its elevation?
The highest point on the island is Morne Diablotins at an elevation of 1,447 meters. Dominica is the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles with peaks that are cones of lava craters including Morne aux Diables and Morne Anglais.
When did Dominica gain independence and who led the country initially?
Dominica gained independence as a republic on the 3rd of November 1978 led by Prime Minister Patrick John. Political discontent climaxed in mid-1979 causing a civilian coup that collapsed his administration.
Which bird species is found only on Dominica and serves as the national bird?
The sisserou parrot also known as imperial amazon is critically endangered and found only on Dominica. It serves as the national bird featured on the flag making Dominica one of two sovereign nations with purple on its official banner.
How much damage did Hurricane Maria cause to Dominica buildings and infrastructure?
Category 5 Hurricane Maria struck the 18th of September 2017 destroying 90% of buildings leaving infrastructure in ruins. Early estimates suggested losses of approximately US$930 million representing 226% of GDP.