Welcome to Dominica, the land of the Sisserou Parrot!

Ecotourism

Did you know- One of the most attractive natural wonders for visitors to the Island is the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to being home to abundant tropical forests and wildlife, this park boasts the second largest boiling lake on Earth. However, the island has other amazing landscapes: for example, amazing beaches, waterfalls, rivers, old towns and spectacular mountains. Dominica’s coastline is also rich in marine life. Finally, about 70 percent of the island consists of protected tropical forests, one of the highest of the world’s developing countries, along with Suriname and Gabon.

Democracy

Did you know- The Island has more than 30 years of democratic governance, a great example in the Third World, where there are few democratic states. Meanwhile, it also has one of the most peaceful societies in the Western Hemisphere.

Geography

Did you know- The island of Dominica, shaped like a tobacco leaf, is located in the eastern Caribbean (Americas). The Commonwealth of Dominica covers an area of ​​300 square miles (754 km2), making it the 188th largest country on the planet (between the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of Tonga). This English-speaking country is made up mostly of mountains and rainforests, while much of the rest of the island is covered in spectacular beaches. There are many lakes and rivers. Finally, Dominica should not be confused with the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean.

Rosseau

Did you know- Rosseau is the capital city of the Caribbean island. Most of the population of Dominica lives in the capital.

wild birds

Did you know- The island is home to one of the largest varieties of birds on the continent, including Planes, Grey-Tyrants, Red-necked Warblers, Frigatebirds, Whistlers, Barn Owls, Brown Pelicans, Yellow Warblers and Plumed Warblers. The Sisserou Parrot, the national bird of Dominica, is one of several exotic bird species that can be found on the small island of Dominica. This exotic bird is one of the largest parrots on the planet.

Human development

Did you know- The year 1997 was a great year for Dominica. Why? For its exemplary democratic system and its education and social welfare, this English-speaking island ranked 41st out of 175 countries and territories on the United Nations Human Development Index. Since then, it has been a great victory for developing countries, especially those in the Caribbean.

Jerome Romain – A National Hero

Did you know- In the mid-1990s, surprisingly, the Dominican athlete Jerome Romain won the triple jump bronze medal – with a fantastic jump of 17.59 meters – at the IAFF World Championships in Sweden (Gothenburg). He also won a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

International organizations

Did you know- At the end of 1978, the Island entered the United Nations. Additionally, Dominica is one of the 53 Commonwealth countries. On the other hand, it also belongs to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Population

Did you know- The Commonwealth of Dominica has an estimated total population of 72,660 people (as of July 2009).

The Margaret Thatcher of the Caribbean!

Did you know- In the early 1980s, Mary Eugenia Charles made international headlines when she became the first woman to be elected Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, at a time when women could not hope to win democratic elections in the third World. During this time period, there were only four female leaders on Earth: Iceland (Vigdis Finnbogadottir), India (Indira Gandhi), Margaret Thatcher (Great Britain), and Dominica. At the same time, she was the first black woman to win a democratic election in the world (in the mid-1970s, Madame Elisabeth Domitien had been appointed Prime Minister by Central African dictator Jean-Bedell Bokassa). Under her leadership, Dominica became a democratic state in the Caribbean, a region that has been plagued by dictatorships. For most of the next decade, she was an environmental activist in Dominica. Historically, the Island’s Prime Minister, Charles, was one of the most influential leaders in the Caribbean. Since Charles became leader, more than five women have been elected leaders in the Caribbean: Barbados (Nita Barrow, 1991-95), Bermuda (Jennifer Smith, 1998-2003), Haiti (Ertha Pascal Trouillot, 1990-91 ), Jamaica (Portia Simpson-Miller, 2006-07), Netherlands Antilles (Maria Liberia Peters, 1984-86 and 1988-94) and Puerto Rico (Sila Calderón, 2001-2005).