| Motto:
|
After
the Good Lord, we Love the Earth |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Carib Wood, Bois Caraibe, Sabinea
Carinalis)
|
Flag |
|
| Location: |
The most northerly and largest of the Windward
Islands situated between Guadeloupe to the north,
and Martinique to the south. |
| History: |
Dominica was occupied first by the Amerindians.
It was sighted and named by Christopher Columbus
in 1493. The island changed hands several times
in the 18th century, but it finally became British
in 1805. It was joined to the Leeward, then the
Windward Island, and achieved separate status
in 1960. Dominica became a British Associate State
in 1967, and gained independence on November 3,
1978. |
| Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2000. Next election
due 2005 |
| Ruling
Party: |
Dominica Labour Party (DLP) |
| Major
Political Parties: |
Dominica
Labour Party (DLP), United Workers Party (UWP),
Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) |
| Head
of State: |
H.E.
Dr. Nicholas Joseph Orville Liverpool, DAH, President |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
Hon.
Roosevelt Skerritt
Prime Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 8 June 1972
MARITAL
STATUS: Single
EDUCATION:
- 1995-1997:
B.A. Philosophy and English, University of
Mississippi
- 1994-1995:
New Mexico State University
- 1990-1992:
Clifton Dupigny Community College (now The
Dominica State College)
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 2000
- Elected to House of Assembly
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs
- 2004
- Prime Minister
|
| Economic
Summary: |
Agriculture
and fishing accounted for 20.5 per cent of GDP
in 1997. Bananas are the main export crop. Copra,
produced from local coconuts, supports the main
manufacturing industry, soap.
Eco-tourism is being promoted, with rainforests,
volcanic scenery and scuba diving as the main
attractions.
A
deep-water harbour and a cruise-ship terminal
are tow of the infra-structural development
efforts impacting on the national economy.
|
| Airport: |
Canefield; Melville Hall |
| Status: |
Independent Republic - 3 November 1978 |
| Capital: |
Roseau |
| Area: |
750
km2 (290 miles2) |
| Population: |
71,443 (mid-200 est.) |
| Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$9,495.7
million (1999)
|
| Total
Exports: |
EC$146.0 million (2000) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$397.7 million(2000) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$83.8
million (1999) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$107.4 million (1999) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
8:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-14:00 hrs Monday
to Friday
|
| National
Holidays: |
New
Year's Day (01 January); Carnival (Monday and
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); Good Friday, Easter
Monday; Labour Day (01 May); Whit Monday (50 days
after Easter Sunday); August Monday (First Monday
in August); Independence Day (03 November); Community
Day of Service (04 November); Christmas Day (25
December); Boxing Day (26 December) |
| National
Anthem: |
Isle
of Beauty
Isle of beauty, isle of splendour,
Isle
of all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder,
At thy gifts so rich and rare,
Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains,
All these gifts we we extol,
Healthy lands so like all fountains,
Giving cheer, that warms the soul.
Dominica
God hath blest thee,
With a clime benign and bright,
Pastures green and flow'rs of beauty,
Filling all with pure delight,
And a people strong and healthy,
Full of Godly reverent fear,
May we ever seek to praise thee,
For these gifts so rich and rare.
Come
ye forward, sons and daughters,
Of this Gem beyond compare,
Strive for honour sons and daughters,
Do the right be firm be fair.
Toil with hearts and hands and voices,
We must prosper! Sound the call,
In which everyone rejoices
"All for Each and Each for All!"
(Words
by W.O.M. Pond, Music by L.M. Christian)
|
| Highest
National Award: |
Sisserou Award of Honour |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Mountain
Chicken; Lobster Dominic |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.dominica.dm
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