The Caribbean’s best-kept secret

History has it that when Christopher Columbus - having been unable to land on Dominica - was asked to describe the island upon his return to Spain, he scrunched up a piece of parchment in order to evoke the country’s undulating terrain of volcanoes, valleys and mountains. This certainly goes some way to explaining why despite being one of the largest islands in the Caribbean (754 sq. km) it remains one of the least populated (72,660). Indeed, although twice the size of Barbados it only has one fifth of its population.

Dominica is known as the “Nature Island” for its abundance of natural splendours: 365 rivers, the second largest boiling lake in the world, volcanoes, mountains (known as Mornes), waterfalls, hot springs, and black and white sand beaches. Much of the island is protected under national parks, one of which has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. With abundant flora and fauna on land as well as underwater, Dominica is a paradise for divers, hikers, birdwatchers and nature-lovers who seek excitement and inspiration. Indeed, many species that are extinct on neighbouring islands can still be found here.

A land of great beauty and contrasts, Dominica has so many stories to tell – come and discover the best-kept secret of the Caribbean.


Weather

Discover rainbows

The most northerly of the Windward Islands, the climate in Dominica is tropical with constant temperatures all year round (averaging 21°C - 28°C in winter and 23°C - 30°C in summer). With rain and sunshine alternating throughout the day - showers are often short and sharp - rainbows arching between the mountains are a common and magnificent sight. The rainiest months are July to November and rainfall, as one would expect, is much more frequent and heavier in the mountains than on the Caribbean coast.

History

A land where time stands still

Dominica was originally inhabited by the Caribs who called it "Wai'tu kubuli" meaning “Tall is her body” but was renamed by Christopher Columbus in 1493 who first spotted the island on a Sunday (Dominica in Latin). The French and British battled over it during the 17th and 18th Centuries - initially fairly half-heartedly - until it was handed to the British under the 1783 Treaty of Versailles. Despite a short period in the 19th Century when legislature in Dominica was under black control – it was not until after the First World War that the non-white population began to have a real voice in the running of the country. Dominica was governed by the British under the Windward Administration (and then, briefly – the West Indies Federation) until it took responsibility for its internal affairs in 1967 and eventually gained independence in 1978.

Dominica’s economy has traditionally been dominated by agriculture, in particular bananas, but in recent years there has been some attempt to diversify into other sectors such as offshore services and most notably eco-tourism.

Culture and People

Discover warmth

The Dominican population is mostly of African descent, with some Europeans, Syrians, Lebanese and Indians and about 3,000 Carib Amerindians (the Kalinago) who live in the Carib Territory on the East Coast. Dominica is one of the few islands in the Caribbean to have retained some of its pre-Colombian population. Dominica also has one of the highest number of centenarians (22 at last count – three times the average of developed countries). English is the official language but many people also speak a French-based Creole dialect.

Music is a very important part of Dominican culture – genres include Creole Music, “Jing-ping” and “Cadence”. Music and Dance festivals take place throughout the year culminating in the annual “Jump-Up” of Carnival in February or March and the increasingly-renowned World Creole Music Festival that coincides with Dominica’s Independence celebrations at the end of October. Food and cooking also play a major part in Dominican life and the bustling Saturday markets in the capital Roseau and second-largest town Portsmouth are both especially worth a visit.