

Topic: Introduction
Background: 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 colonized the island in 1805. Independence came in 1978.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 colonized the island in 1805. Independence came in 1978.

Topic: 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

Topic: People and Society
Population: 74,629 (2022 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: 0.05% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Roseau
Executive branch: chief of state: President Charles A. SAVARIN (since 2 October 2013)

head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly (32 seats; 21 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 9 senators appointed by the president - 5 on the advice of the prime minister, and 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party, plus 2 ex-officio members - the house speaker and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms)

Topic: 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 programhighly 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): $710 million (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $9,900 (2020 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: $160 million (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 47%, Qatar 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, low-voltage protection equipment, tropical fruits, bandages (2019)
Imports: $430 million (2018 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)Page last updated: Monday, May 16, 2022