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General
Country name: Commonwealth of Dominica (DO).
Languages: English (official), French-based Creole patois.
Nationality: Dominican(s).
Capital: Roseau.
Population: 72,660 (July 2010 est.).
Coastline: 148 km.
Size: 24 km x 46 km (16 x 29 miles), 750 sq km
(290 sq miles).
Terrain: Rugged mountains of volcanic origin covered with dense
tropical forests.
Climate: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy
rainfall.
Geography
Coastline: 148 km.
Geographic coordinates: 15° 25' N, 61° 20' W.
Highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m.
Location: Dominica is located between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.
Size: 49 km long (29 miles) and 25 km (16 miles) at its widest,
751 sq km.
Terrain: Rugged mountains of volcanic origin.
Tourist Information
Accommodations:
Activities: diving, whale and dolphin watching, hiking. Dominica
is known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular,
lush,
and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural
park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic
peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest,
thermally active lake in the world.
Average tourist arrivals: 74,923 (2009).
Crime: Petty crimes are the most commonly reported incidents.
Theft of valuables, such as credit cards and cash, does occur. Dominica
is considered to be a minor producer of cannabis, and this and other illegal
drugs are grown and sold on the island. Drug related crime, even murder,
occurs.
Electricity: 220 / 240 volts / 50 cycles.
Entry Requirements: A valid passport and return ticket are required.
US and Canadian citizens may use proof of citizenship. French nationals
may visit for up to two weeks with a Carte Identite.
Sleep: In some areas noisy little frogs might keep you awake
at night.
Taxis: Taxis are not metered; rates are fixed and should be checked
in advance. Based on 1-4 passengers.
Telephone: The international: country code is 1-767.
Time: 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard US Time and 5 hours ahead
of Standard European Time.
Money
Cost of living: Moderate. Roseau is ranked number 220 of the
most expensive places in the world (Barbados 108, Tampa Fla 235). Acommodation
costs are relative high.
Credit cards: Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. The East Caribbean dollar
is converted at the fixed rate of $ 2.70 EC to $ 1.00 US.
Tipping: Most hotels include a 10 % service charge on the bill;
further tipping is by choice.
Air Transport
Airport: Melville Hall Airport (DOM ) near Marigot in the north
of the island. Canefield Airport, 15 min.north of Roseau (DCF). There are
currently no direct international flights to Dominica. However, connections
via regional Caribbean airlines are available from the following islands;
Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Puerto
Rico. Because Melville Hall Airport is far from Reseau, we suggest to fly
to Canefield if possible, or to take the ferry from Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Airlines: The main airlines serving Dominica are American Eagle,
LIAT and Winair. Major hubs in the region with flights to Dominica include
Antigua, San Juan, St. Lucia, St Martin and Barbados. The neighbouring
French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe are also convenient hubs for
flights from Europe to Dominica. If Dominica is your main target, we strongly
suggest this way.
Departure Tax: EC$ 59.00 per person. Children under 12 exempt.
Flight Times: Antigua 40 minutes, Guadeloupe 30 minutes, Martinique
25 minutes.
International Airlines: there are no direct flights to Dominica
from the mainland US or Europe.
Regional Airlines: Air Guadeloupe 448-2181, Liat 448-2421, American
Eagle 445-7204.
Toursit Office: P.O. Box 293, Old Street, Roseau, Domenica, Tel.:
448 20 45.
Water Transport
Ferry Service: The only ferry that operates in Curaçao
is a shuttle that makes regular trips between Willemstad's Punda and Otrobanda.
Travelers pay nothing for this short journey between shopping centers,
and the view from the boat is spectacular.
Ports and harbors: Portsmouth, Roseau.
Politics
Ethnic groups: Black, Carib Amerindian.
.
Government type: Parliamentary democracy.
Legal system: Based on English common law.
Literacy: 94 % of the total population (male: 94 %, female: 94
%).
Religions: Roman Catholic 61.4 %, Seventh Day Adventist 6 %,
Pentecostal 5.6 %, Baptist 4.1 %, Methodist 3.7 %, Church of God 1.2 %,
Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2 %, other Christian 7.7 %, Rastafarian 1.3 %, other
or unspecified 1.6 %, none 6.1 % (2001 census).
Economy
Agriculture products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts.
GDP per capita: US$ 10,200 (2009 est.).
Industries: Bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges.
Natural resources: Timber.
Unemployment rate: 23 % (2000 est.).
Radio frequencies
BBC World Service
| MHz |
17.71 |
15.22 |
6.195 |
5.975 |
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Voice of America:
| MHz |
13.74 |
9.775 |
6.130 |
5.995 |
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