 An introduction to and essentials about our beautiful island of Dominica. Introduction | Around
Roseau |
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Description Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") is an island of volcanic origins located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, at approximately 15 degrees North latitude and 61 degrees West longitude.
It
has several peaks of over 3,000', the tallest of which are Morne
Diablotin (4,747') and Morne Trois Pitons (4,600'). |
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Dominica is famous for its tropical rainforest, and the many rivers and waterfalls which result from the high rainfall in the interior. In addition, its volcanic origins manifest themselves most noticably in the Boiling Lake (one of the largest of its kind in the world) and many other smaller fumaroles around the island (including at least one underwater). Moreover, it is widely acknowledged to be both one of the best dive sites and a prime whale watching location in the region (if not world).
The Northern Forest Reserve is another fine example of oceanic rainforest and is also famous as the home of Dominica's national bird, the rare Sisserou Parrot. The Cabrits National Park, just north of Portsmouth, is home to the partly-restored Fort Shirley. It is also a marine reserve, as is the area around Scott's Head/Soufriere at the south-western tip of the island. Dominica's population is around 69,625 (2001 census), of which about 14,500 live in the capital city, Roseau (pronounced 'Ro-zo'), which is located on the south-west coast. Roseau was named after the French name for the reeds that grow by the river (interestingly, there is a Roseau in Minnesota named for the same reason). The second largest city is Portsmouth in the north-west. Other towns of note include Marigot in the north-east, and Grand Bay in the south. English is the official language but a French-based Creole (kwéyòl) is widely spoken, especially in outlying villages. This reflects an often turbulent history in which the island would be assigned to Britain by a treaty with the French, who would promptly break it and try to regain control of Dominica. Throughout and to the present day the original inhabitants, the Caribs, tried to coexist. In 1903 they were assigned a 3,700 acre Territory in the north-east where around 3,000 live today. The original Carib name for Dominica is Waitikubuli, and many of the villages still retain (or at least know) their Carib name. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (of which there are 2.7169 to the US$). Office/Shop and banking hours are generally 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday; shops close at 1pm on a Saturday. Dominica's
cuisine is based on our local wildlife which includes agouti,
crabs, crayfish, crapaud ('Mountain Chicken') and manicou, but
there is a Closed Season for game and freshwater fish from March
1 through August 31.
Visitors
to tourism sites around the island are required to purchase
entry tickets in order to support the parks service. Tickets are available from Cruise Agents, Tour Operators,
Car Hire Agencies and at various other locations around
the island.
(NOTE: There is no longer a 'Day Pass.) Around Roseau
The 'crushed bus' in the Botanical Gardens is a silent testimony to the force of the winds of Hurricane David (1979), and also the the regenerative power of nature (the tree is still growing, on top of the bus). A small Aviary in the Gardens has some of Dominica's rare parrots.
Leaving
the Gardens via the west gate, go straight and you'll soon pass
Tropicrafts (look in to see the mats being made) and see the Roman
Catholic Cathedral on your left. Around The NorthDominica's second city is Portsmouth, situated in the north-west of the island on Prince Rupert Bay.
Also
of note near Portsmouth is the Indian River, where you
can take a boat ride up through the mangroves for about a mile.
Portsmouth is also home to Ross University Medical School. Around The SouthOn your way to the south of the island, about a mile south of the fishing village of Pointe Michel, where the road leaves the coast and goes up into the hills, is a track down to a pebbly beach. At the end of this beach and starting a few feet into the water, is Champagne, a large area where volcanic activity causes thousands of bubbles to come from the rocks beneath the water. At the end of the island, the villages of Soufriere and Scott's Head are both on the same beautiful bay. Scott's Head is at the end of a short isthmus and affords a brilliant view of the bay, north along the coast, and south to Martinique if the weather is good. On the Head are the ruins of Fort Cachacou which was an important defence post and involved in action between the British and French in 1778 and 1805.
How to get HereDominica's
main airport is Melville Hall (DOM, 4,900') in the north-east
(38 miles from Roseau). Smaller is Canefield (DCF, with
a runway of 2,600') in the south-west just 3 miles from Roseau.
From the US, American Eagle flies direct into Melville Hall from San Juan. American Airlines also flies via San Juan into Antigua . From Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia the regional carrier LIAT offer connections to Melville Hall. British Airways also flies into Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. Air France connects via Martinique and Gualeloupe. Tip: To get the best view of the island as you fly in:- flying north into Canefield Airport (from for example, St. Lucia), sit on the right of the aircraft. Flying south (from Antigua), sit on the left. Sit on the opposite side if flying into Melville Hall Airport. This tip will give you superb views of the island! There are three main sea ports. Woodbridge Bay is one mile north of Roseau; both the Roseau Ferry Terminal and the Cruise Ship Berth are located on the Bayfront of Roseau itself, within close proximity to the business and shopping areas of the capital. Cruise ships sometimes stop at the Cabrits near Portsmouth. L'Express Des Iles is a ferry service connecting Dominica to both the neighbouring French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinque, as well as St. Lucia.
Entry RequirementsA valid passport and onward/return ticket are required for stays of up to 21 days. NEW: Effective January 1, 2006
the United States has instituted a new passport regulation that
will require US citizens visiting the Caribbean to be in possession
of a valid US passport to re-enter the US. WeatherAnnual rainfall in Dominica varies considerably, from 50 inches along the coast, to over 300 inches in the interior. There is generally a dry season between January and June, with the wettest months being August to October. The peak of hurricane season is late August/early September.
MiscellaneousElectricity
is 220/240 volts, 50 cycles.
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