Dominica is a small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles and has a total area of about 750 square kilometers. The island is known for its rugged terrain, tropical rainforests, and hot springs.

The population of Dominica is around 72,000 people, and the official language is English. The country gained independence from Britain in 1978 and has since become a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.

Dominica's economy is primarily based on agriculture, with bananas being the primary crop. The country also relies on tourism, with its natural beauty and hot springs attracting visitors from around the world.

The government of Dominica is a parliamentary democracy with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The country has a relatively stable political climate and is known for its efforts to protect the environment, including its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dominica is also a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Telephone Code
1

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Currency (Code)
Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): D, G

Major Languages
English, French patois

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 29.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Boiling Lake; Morne Trois Pitons National Park; Titou Gorge

Major Sports
Cricket, soccer

Cultural Practices
Drawing air through the teeth to make a sucking sound is used to express anger or annoyance.

Tipping Guidelines
Tips of 10% are expected at restaurants unless service charges are added. It is appropriate to tip a housekeeper $1-2 (USD) per night for good service.

Souvenirs
Grass and reed rugs and bags, Carib baskets, herbs and spices, pottery, jewelry, coconut items, rum

Traditional Cuisine
Mountain Chicken (historical dish) — snares of the legs of the now endangered Crapaud frog; more recently Calalloo Soup – a soup made from the leaves of the dasheen plant, other vegetables, and meat

Geography
Area
total: 751 sq km
land: 751 sq km

Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Natural resources
timber, hydropower, arable land

People and Society
Population
74,656 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
African descent 84.5%, mixed 9%, Indigenous 3.8%, other 2.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Languages
English (official), French patois

Religions
Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 29.7% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 6.7%, Pentecostal 6.1%, Baptist 5.2%, Christian Union Church 3.9%, Methodist 2.6%, Gospel Mission 2.1%, other Protestant 3.1%), Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 4.3%, none 9.4%, unspecified 1.4% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
0.02% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Roseau

Economy
Economic overview
highly agrarian OECS island economy; ECCU-member state; large banana exporter; COVID-19- and Hurricane Maria-related public debt increases; improving government oversight of its very cheap citizenship-by-investment program

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$787.7 million (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$10,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
bananas, yams, grapefruit, taro, milk, coconuts, oranges, yautia, plantains, sugar cane

Industries
soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

Exports
$104.959 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Saudi Arabia 47%, Qatar 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, low-voltage protection equipment, tropical fruits, bandages (2019)

Imports
$302 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 57%, Nigeria 11%, China 6%, Italy 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, recreational boats, cars (2019)