Facts & Details About Dominica
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Location: Dominica is about 1,400 miles southeast of Miami, 400 miles southeast of San Juan, 400 miles north of Venezuela and 1,500 miles west of Central America. The Caribbean Sea expands to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The island sits between the French islands of Guadeloupe, 30 miles to the north, and Martinique, 27 miles to the south.
Population: 70,000 Capital City: Roseau; 27,000 Money: East Caribbean Dollar (EC), $1 US = $2.68 EC
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time; Dominica does NOT observe Daylight Savings. Language: English, French patois English is the official language of Dominica, however, many locals communicate in a hybrid language known to scholars as Lesser Antillean Creole French. Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant and many others |
Entry Requirements: A valid passport is sufficient for a stay of up to one month. You may renew your stay for a further 3 months but you will need to show a return ticket. Visas are required for stays of over 21 days for travellers from Cuba, Haiti, Russia, The People's Republic of China and the Eastern European Countries. Please note that from January 23, 2007, US citizens will need a passport to re-enter the US. Vaccinations: ...are not required to enter Dominica Airports: Melville Hall (DMH) – International and Canefield (DCF) - local & small inter-island planes. NOTE that Melville Hall Airport, located very near the village of Marigot, is over an hour's drive to Roseau and 45 minutes to Portsmouth. Departure Tax: Reserve US $22 or EC$59 in cash for paying your departure tax at the airport. Cruise Ships: Ships arrive at Dominica's Roseau port weekly. During the peak season, November - May. 1-4 ships could be in port at any one time.Smaller cruise ships frequently visit the Portsmouth dock located at Cabrits. |
Geography
Dominica is approximately 29 miles long and 16 miles at its widest point; it area is 289.5 sq. miles. The island's coordinates are 15.20N, 61.19W Dominica is the dividing point of the Caribbean islands' Windward islands to the west and the Leeward islands to the east. The highest point is Morne Diablotin at 4,747ft. Dominica has some of the richest mountain rainforest in the Caribbean.
Dominica is approximately 29 miles long and 16 miles at its widest point; it area is 289.5 sq. miles. The island's coordinates are 15.20N, 61.19W Dominica is the dividing point of the Caribbean islands' Windward islands to the west and the Leeward islands to the east. The highest point is Morne Diablotin at 4,747ft. Dominica has some of the richest mountain rainforest in the Caribbean.
Terrain
The majority of the island is covered by densely wooded mountains and rain-forest. The overall terrain is very steep, and extremely rugged. Dominica’s beaches generally consist of shimmering black sand or rocks. There are few expansive beaches. The island has over 360 rivers. There are 9 volcanoes on the Dominica ...none display the distinct cone shape top generally associated with volcanoes. There have been few noticeable eruptions for centuries. Small tremors and earthquakes occasionally occur.
The majority of the island is covered by densely wooded mountains and rain-forest. The overall terrain is very steep, and extremely rugged. Dominica’s beaches generally consist of shimmering black sand or rocks. There are few expansive beaches. The island has over 360 rivers. There are 9 volcanoes on the Dominica ...none display the distinct cone shape top generally associated with volcanoes. There have been few noticeable eruptions for centuries. Small tremors and earthquakes occasionally occur.
Water: The water is safe to drink throughout the entire island. As well, bottled spring water is available everywhere. Dominica has an abundance of fresh, crystal clear, clean water.
GDP per Capita: U.S. $5,400 Literacy Percent: 94
Income Sources: Tourism, Farming, Fishing
Legal System: Based on British Common Law - ultimate right of Appeal to the Privy Council in London.
GDP per Capita: U.S. $5,400 Literacy Percent: 94
Income Sources: Tourism, Farming, Fishing
Legal System: Based on British Common Law - ultimate right of Appeal to the Privy Council in London.
Public Transport: Mini-buses (look for the number plate that starts with an 'H') serve routes from Roseau, Marrigot / Melville Hall airport, Ross University and other prominent island locations… and to all villages they are a cheap (often exciting) way to get around the island. Prices are fixed by the government.
Taxis: are readily available for reasonable prices and can either be arranged from your location of stay or from the street. Inquire about destination prices with someone before hailing a cab. Drivers most generally will take both US and EC dollars. If possible pay with EC. Riders will find most drivers very friendly and easy to visit with.
Car Rental: Automobiles can be obtained from a few locations. Inquire. If driving, a temporary license will be needed; there is a small fee. If one is not familiar with driving on the left or Dominica's tricky roads, don't try driving!
Driving: Dominican’s drive on the left! Visitors need a driving permit; a permit is available from your car rental company. NOTE that if you are not accustomed to or comfortable driving on the left it is strongly recommended that you hire or utilize public transport. Driving on Dominica’s roads can be very trying and treacherous. Besides being very steep road are very narrow and winding with multiple blind curves. (First time visitors might want to consider taking Dramamine to avoid car sickness before arriving.) Driving even a short distance on the island can take a long time. Roads are not marked with center or edge lines and harbor a moonscape of pot-holes and other obstacles including fallen rocks, pedestrians, goats and cattle. There are few places to pull off the road as road edges consist of serious cliff drop-offs, sheer cliff-faces and deep, narrow French ditches.
Taxis: are readily available for reasonable prices and can either be arranged from your location of stay or from the street. Inquire about destination prices with someone before hailing a cab. Drivers most generally will take both US and EC dollars. If possible pay with EC. Riders will find most drivers very friendly and easy to visit with.
Car Rental: Automobiles can be obtained from a few locations. Inquire. If driving, a temporary license will be needed; there is a small fee. If one is not familiar with driving on the left or Dominica's tricky roads, don't try driving!
Driving: Dominican’s drive on the left! Visitors need a driving permit; a permit is available from your car rental company. NOTE that if you are not accustomed to or comfortable driving on the left it is strongly recommended that you hire or utilize public transport. Driving on Dominica’s roads can be very trying and treacherous. Besides being very steep road are very narrow and winding with multiple blind curves. (First time visitors might want to consider taking Dramamine to avoid car sickness before arriving.) Driving even a short distance on the island can take a long time. Roads are not marked with center or edge lines and harbor a moonscape of pot-holes and other obstacles including fallen rocks, pedestrians, goats and cattle. There are few places to pull off the road as road edges consist of serious cliff drop-offs, sheer cliff-faces and deep, narrow French ditches.
Weather: The average high temperature is 85°F in January / 90°F in July; average low temperature is 68°F in January / 72°F in July. Dry season generally occurs January - May, rainy season from June - October . The south and the west coasts receive about 85 inches of rain annually, while the mountainous interior rain forest gets more than 340 inches per year. Light to moderate showers occur everywhere year round. Hurricane season is predominantly between August and mid-October.
Clothing: Lightweight shorts and casual shirts. Jeans or slacks are frequently worn for all occasions. Light sweater or long sleeved shirts for cool nights in the mountains could be preferred by some. Pocket or tote sized umbrellas are always a welcome accessory for both sun and rain. Don't swim or sunbathe topless on Dominica. It's not considered good taste, nor should you wear swimsuits on the street or in public areas off the beach. When hiking, walking shoes and raincoats or anoraks are recommended, though tennis shoes and sandals can suffice for most occasions.
Etiquette: Dominican's are very friendly and polite people; they comfortably greet or acknowledge everyone with: "Good morning," and "Good day." However, "Good night," is generally said in place of "Good evening." One will also hear locals replying or acknowledging at practically any opportunity or greeting with "OK!" or "Alright!)
Electricity: The electricity system is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles. Power outlets are 3-prong English style. Some hotels, rentals and homes have 110v; consider bringing a small travel transformer. Or transformers are readily and affordably available at many locations
Telephones: The international dialing code for Dominica is 1-767 followed by seven digits. On the island, use the seven digits alone. Dominica has very dependable cell phone service. Companies providing land-lines include Cable & Wireless, Marpin Telecoms and Orange. Three companies provide cellular services including LIME, Cingular/AT&T and Orange. Phone can be purchased for reasonable amounts with phone card chips moveable from phone to phone. Need more minutes? Users can "top up" at numerous locations around the island for very reasonable cost.
Internet: High speed cable and wireless service is available in practically all hotels, bed & breakfasts, etc. Internet cafes can be located in Roseau and Portsmouth. Some eating establishments also offer free service. Most generally, internet service is very dependable
Clothing: Lightweight shorts and casual shirts. Jeans or slacks are frequently worn for all occasions. Light sweater or long sleeved shirts for cool nights in the mountains could be preferred by some. Pocket or tote sized umbrellas are always a welcome accessory for both sun and rain. Don't swim or sunbathe topless on Dominica. It's not considered good taste, nor should you wear swimsuits on the street or in public areas off the beach. When hiking, walking shoes and raincoats or anoraks are recommended, though tennis shoes and sandals can suffice for most occasions.
Etiquette: Dominican's are very friendly and polite people; they comfortably greet or acknowledge everyone with: "Good morning," and "Good day." However, "Good night," is generally said in place of "Good evening." One will also hear locals replying or acknowledging at practically any opportunity or greeting with "OK!" or "Alright!)
Electricity: The electricity system is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles. Power outlets are 3-prong English style. Some hotels, rentals and homes have 110v; consider bringing a small travel transformer. Or transformers are readily and affordably available at many locations
Telephones: The international dialing code for Dominica is 1-767 followed by seven digits. On the island, use the seven digits alone. Dominica has very dependable cell phone service. Companies providing land-lines include Cable & Wireless, Marpin Telecoms and Orange. Three companies provide cellular services including LIME, Cingular/AT&T and Orange. Phone can be purchased for reasonable amounts with phone card chips moveable from phone to phone. Need more minutes? Users can "top up" at numerous locations around the island for very reasonable cost.
Internet: High speed cable and wireless service is available in practically all hotels, bed & breakfasts, etc. Internet cafes can be located in Roseau and Portsmouth. Some eating establishments also offer free service. Most generally, internet service is very dependable
