Dominica, State of the Caribbean; 750 km2, 71,000 residents (2019).Dominica is part of the Small Antilles archipelago. The capital is Roseau (14,700 residents, 2012).
Country facts
- Commonwealth of Dominica / Commonwealth Dominica
- Country abbreviation: DM
- Area: 750 km2
- Population (2019): 71,000 residents
- Capital: Roseau
- Main languages: English, French, Creole
- State: Republic
- Head of State: Charles Savarin (President)
- Head of Government: Roosevelt Skerrit
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 7,031
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 7,210
- Currency unit: 1 East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: XCD
- Country number (telephony): 1
- Internet domain name: dm
- Time difference compared to Sweden: −5
- National Day: November 3 (Independence Day, 1978)
Nature
- Land use: forest (66%), agricultural land (23%), other (11%)
- Highest mountain: Diablotin (1,447 m above sea level)
Population
- Population density (2019): 95 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 0.4%; birth rate 12 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (22%), 15-64 (67%), 65- (11%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 73 years, women 78 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 20 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 100,000 residents
- HDI (2017): 0.715 (place 103 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 71%
- Most populous city (2012): Roseau (14,700 residents)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (22%), industry (13%), service (65%)
- Export (2017): US $ 28 million
- Main export product: bananas, soap
- Main exporting countries: Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica
- Imports (2017): US $ 207 million
- Main import products: machinery, food
- Main importing countries: USA, Trinidad and Tobago
- Railway network: nothing in operation
Dominica is a mountainous island of volcanic origin. The most prominent terrain feature is a north-south ridge that runs throughout the country except the middle part, where it is interrupted by a plain.
The country became an independent republic within the Commonwealth in 1978. Its president is elected by Parliament for a term of five years and can be re-elected once.
Dominica’s economy has been heavily dependent on banana exports for a long time. On several occasions, most recently in 2007, natural disasters have seriously damaged banana production. Otherwise, mainly coconuts, citrus fruits and avocados are grown. Unlike the neighboring islands of the Caribbean, the tourism industry has developed late, but in recent years the country has invested in ecotourism.