Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Dominica
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Dominica
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Dominica
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Dominica
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of Dominica
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.
Back to Top
Geography ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15 25 N, 61 20 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 751 sq km
country comparison to the world: 189
land: 751 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
148 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
rugged mountains of volcanic origin
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Morne Diablotins 1,447 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
timber, hydropower, arable land
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 6.67%
permanent crops: 21.33%
other: 72% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.02 cu km/yr
per capita: 213 cu m/yr (1996)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world
Back to Top
People and Society ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
English (official), French patois
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 61.4%, Protestant 20.6% (Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
73,126 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 22.6% (male 8,433/ female 8,077)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 25,177/ female 23,892)
65 years and over: 10.3% (male 3,282/ female 4,265) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 31.3 years
male: 30.8 years
female: 31.7 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.216% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.6 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-5.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 67% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ROSEAU (capital) 14,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12.38 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 131
male: 16.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 76.18 years
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 73.23 years
female: 79.29 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.06 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 110
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.5 physicians/1,000 population (1997)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 80% of population
rural: 84% of population
total: 81% of population
unimproved:
urban: 20% of population
rural: 16% of population
total: 19% of population
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.7% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 94%
male: 94%
female: 94% (2003 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 26%
country comparison to the world: 24
male: 26.2%
female: 25.4% (2001)
Back to Top
Government ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form: Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary democracy
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Roseau
geographic coordinates: 15 18 N, 61 24 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 November 1978 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 November 1978
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
common law based on the English model
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Eliud WILLIAMS (since 17 September 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 1 October 2003 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: WILLIAMS was elected president following the resignation of Nicholas LIVERPOOL
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral House of Assembly (32 seats; 9 members appointed, 21 elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 1 speaker elected from among persons who are not members of the House, responsible for the management and general administration of the House, and one ex-officio Clerk of the House)
elections: last held on 18 December 2009 (next to be held in 2015); note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five years of the last election, but technically it is five years from the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace period
election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 61.2%, UWP 34.9%, other 3.9%; seats by party - DLP 18, UWP 3
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Magistrates Court, a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Judith PESTAINA]; Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Hector JOHN]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, Commonwealth of Nations, ECCU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Hubert J. CHARLES
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791
consulate(s) general: New York
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a Sisserou parrot, unique to Dominica, encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes); green symbolizes the island's lush vegetation; the triple-colored cross represents the Christian Trinity; the yellow color denotes sunshine, the main agricultural products (citrus and bananas), and the native Carib Indians; black is for the rich soil and the African heritage of most citizens; white signifies rivers, waterfalls, and the purity of aspirations; the red disc stands for social justice
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Sisserou parrot
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Isle of Beauty"
lyrics/music: Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN
note: adopted 1967
Back to Top
Economy ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
The Dominican economy has been dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has been driven by tourism as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. In order to diversify the island's production base, the government also is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and has signed an agreement with the EU to develop geothermal energy resources. In 2003, the government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address an economic and financial crisis and to meet IMF requirements. This restructuring paved the way for an economic recovery and helped to reduce the debt burden, which remains at about 80% of GDP. Hurricane Dean struck the island in August 2007 causing damages equivalent to 20% of GDP. In 2009, the economy contracted as a result of the global recession and growth remains anemic.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.035 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
$1.03 billion (2011 est.)
$1.02 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$497 million (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
1% (2011 est.)
1.2% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$14,600 (2011 est.)
$14,400 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 13.4%
industry: 14.9%
services: 71.7% (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
25,000 (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 40%
industry: 32%
services: 28% (2002 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $148.1 million
expenditures: $185.2 million (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-7.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
78% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
85% of GDP (2006 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
2.8% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
8.88% (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$70.74 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$70.27 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$413.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$383 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$296.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$280.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bananas, citrus, mangos, root crops, coconuts, cocoa
note: forest and fishery potential not exploited
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$117.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
-$84.71 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$41 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
$33.04 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Japan 46.2%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.3%, Jamaica 7.3%, Guyana 7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.5% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$218.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
$192.6 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Japan 34.2%, US 15.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.9%, China 5.7%, Singapore 5.5% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$85 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$81.12 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$253.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$257.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2012 est.)
2.7 (2011 est.)
2.7 (2010 est.)
2.7 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 July - 30 June
Back to Top
Energy ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
85.5 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
79.52 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22,200 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
72.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
27% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
918 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
911.8 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
141,200 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Back to Top
Communications ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15,500 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 195
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
111,000 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 190
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: fully automatic network
domestic: fixed-line connections continued to decline slowly with the two active operators providing about 20 fixed-line connections per 100 persons; subscribership among the three mobile-cellular providers continued to increase with teledensity reaching 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-767; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cables providing connectivity to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
no terrestrial TV service available; subscription cable TV provider offers some locally produced programming plus channels from the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; state-operated radio broadcasts on 6 stations; privately-owned radio broadcasts on about 15 stations (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.dm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
723 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 183
Back to Top
Transportation ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 780 km
country comparison to the world: 188
paved: 393 km
unpaved: 387 km (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 43
country comparison to the world: 73
by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 22, chemical tanker 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 32 (Australia 1, Estonia 6, Germany 5, Greece 4, India 2, Latvia 2, Norway 1, Russia 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Syria 4, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Portsmouth, Roseau
Back to Top
Military ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 19,075 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 16,035
females age 16-49: 15,499 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 675
female: 636 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Dominica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Dominica is the only Caribbean state to challenge Venezuela's sovereignty claim over Aves Island and joins the other island nations in challenging whether the feature sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claims over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.