Discover Fascinating Dominica Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Dominica.

Dominica

Background

๐ŸŒด Dominica: A Remarkable Journey Through History! ๐ŸŒด
Did you know that Dominica was the last Caribbean island to be colonized by Europeans? It was all thanks to the brave native Caribs who fiercely resisted invasion! ๐Ÿ’ช
In 1763, France surrendered possession of Dominica to Britain. The island then became a British colony and remained under British rule until it gained independence in 1978, marking a significant moment in its history! ๐ŸŽ‰

Year Dominica Gained Independence

1978

Year France Ceded Possession to Britain

1763

Dominica as a British Colony

1805-1978

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒŽ Dominica has a diverse range of exports! Some key commodities include:

  • Power equipment ๐Ÿ”Œ
  • Soap ๐Ÿงผ
  • Raw iron bars ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Natural gas โ›ฝ
  • Tropical fruits ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒ

These goods showcase the unique products that Dominica brings to the global market!

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Dominica's exports are shared among several partners, each playing a key role in its economy. Check out the percentages of Dominica's exports by partner country for 2022:

  • Bahamas, The: 12%
  • Guyana: 8%
  • Antigua and Barbuda: 7%
  • Dominican Republic: 7%
  • Barbados: 6%

Together, these countries make up all of Dominica's exports! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's take a look at these partners in a pie chart to understand how the shares break down!

Total percentage accounted for

100%

Dominica's Export Partners (2022)

Capital

๐ŸŒ† The capital of Dominica is Roseau! This lively city is not only the political center of the country, but it's also filled with beautiful sights and rich culture. With charming streets and warm people, Roseau is the heart of Dominica. ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Imports - commodities

In Dominica, the country imports various important commodities. Here are some of the key imports that keep the economy moving and help meet the needs of its people:

  • Refined Petroleum ๐Ÿš—
  • Natural Gas ๐Ÿ’จ
  • Crude Petroleum ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Plastic Products ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
  • Cars ๐Ÿš™

These imports play a vital role in Dominicaโ€™s day-to-day activities and overall development.

Climate

๐ŸŒด Dominica enjoys a tropical climate, which means it's warm and inviting all year round! The island's weather is nicely tempered by the northeast trade winds, bringing a pleasant breeze that makes the island feel cozy. โ˜€๏ธ But beware, it also experiences heavy rainfall, ensuring that the lush greenery flourishes. Rain or shine, Dominica is a paradise for nature lovers! ๐ŸŒง๏ธ

Executive branch

In Dominica, the key leaders of the government bring energy and enthusiasm to their roles! ๐ŸŒŸ The chief of state is President Sylvanie BURTON, who has been in charge since 2 October 2023. On the other hand, we have the Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT, who has been steering the ship since 8 January 2004. This shows a blend of fresh leadership alongside experienced governance! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Current President since

2 October 2023

Current Prime Minister since

8 January 2004

Legislative branch

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฒ Dominica has a unique unicameral legislative system called the House of Assembly! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ It consists of 32 seats that represent the voices of the people in the government. Each member plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and decisions that affect everyone's lives. ๐ŸŒŸ

Total seats in the House of Assembly

32

Natural resources

๐ŸŒฟ Let's explore the natural resources of Dominica! This beautiful island is blessed with various resources that support its lush environment and economy. Here are the key resources:

  1. Timber: Dominica's forests are rich in valuable timber, making it possible for sustainable forestry practices. ๐ŸŒณ
  2. Hydropower: The island utilizes its many rivers and streams to generate hydropower! This is a clean and renewable energy source that helps power the country while protecting the environment. โšก
  3. Arable land: The land in Dominica is perfect for agriculture! With rich soil, farmers can grow crops and produce food for the nation and beyond. ๐ŸŒพ

Dominica truly cherishes its natural resources, contributing to both ecological balance and economic sustainability!

Key Natural Resources

Timber, Hydropower, Arable Land

Economic overview

๐ŸŒด Welcome to the beautiful island of Dominica! ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฒ This Eastern Caribbean nation has a vibrant economy that's mostly centered around agriculture! ๐ŸŒพ Here's what makes their economy tick:

  • Highly Agrarian: Dominica's economy heavily relies on farming and agriculture. Itโ€™s the backbone of their livelihoods!
  • ECCU-Member State: Dominica is part of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) which strengthens its economic ties with other nations.
  • Large Banana Exporter: The island is known for its big banana export business! ๐ŸŒ They grow and sell lots of bananas to other countries.
  • Investment Opportunities: Thereโ€™s been an improvement in how Dominica oversees its citizenship-by-investment program, making it a popular choice for investors! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Emerging Industries: Dominica is exploring exciting new industries like ecotourism, information and communications, and education. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“š

With such a diverse economic landscape, Dominica is stepping into new opportunities while keeping its agricultural roots strong!

Agriculture Dominance

Highly agrarian economy

ECCU Membership

ECCU-member state

Banana Export

Large banana exporter

Investment Program Oversight

Improved oversight of citizenship-by-investment

Emerging Industries

Ecotourism, information and communications, and education industries

Government type

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ด Dominica operates as a parliamentary republic! This means that the country has a representative form of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature (parliament) and is directly accountable to it. In simpler terms, the Prime Minister is the leader of the country, chosen from the elected members of parliament. This system can lead to a more collaborative approach in governance! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Ethnic groups

In beautiful Dominica, the ethnic mix is quite diverse! ๐ŸŒˆ Here's how the population identifies:

  • African descent: 84.5%
  • Mixed: 9%
  • Indigenous: 3.8%
  • Other: 2.1%
  • Unspecified: 0.6%

These percentages add up to 100%, so we can visualize this data in a fun pie chart! ๐Ÿฐ

Total Population Identifying as African Descendants

84.5%

Total Population Identifying as Mixed

9%

Total Population Identifying as Indigenous

3.8%

Total Population Identifying as Other

2.1%

Total Unspecified Population

0.6%

Ethnic Distribution in Dominica

Religions

๐ŸŒ In Dominica, the rainbow of religions showcases a vibrant tapestry of beliefs! The largest group is the Roman Catholics, making up a significant 52.7% of the population. ๐ŸŒˆ Protestant followers are next, accounting for 29.7%. This group includes various denominations:

  • 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%

Additionally, we have:

  • Jehovah's Witness: 1.3% โœจ
  • Rastafarian: 1.1% โœŒ๏ธ
  • Other religions: 4.3% ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ
  • No religion: 9.4% ๐Ÿ™
  • Unspecified: 1.4%

This diverse mix of beliefs presents an opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich culture of Dominica! ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฒ

Percentage of Roman Catholics

52.7%

Percentage of Protestants

29.7%

Percentage of those with no religion

9.4%

Percentage of Jehovah's Witnesses

1.3%

Percentage of Rastafarians

1.1%

Percentage of unspecified religions

1.4%

Religious Distribution in Dominica

Languages

๐ŸŒ In Dominica, the official language is English! ๐Ÿ“š But that's not all - many people also speak French patois. This beautiful mix of languages reflects the rich culture and history of the island. ๐ŸŒด Are you ready to learn some new phrases? ๐Ÿ˜Š

Official Language

English

Other Language Spoken

French patois

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's Explore Dominica's Import Partners! ๐ŸŒ In 2022, Dominica's imports were heavily influenced by a few key global players. Here's how it breaks down:

  • United States: 51% ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • China: 9% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Indonesia: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ
  • Trinidad and Tobago: 4% ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡น
  • Italy: 3% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

These diverse partners play a crucial role in supplying Dominica with the goods it needs. Isn't it interesting how one country can dominate imports? ๐Ÿค”

Percentage of imports from the US

51%

Percentage of imports from China

9%

Percentage of imports from Indonesia

4%

Percentage of imports from Trinidad and Tobago

4%

Percentage of imports from Italy

3%

Dominica's Import Partners (2022)

Population

๐ŸŒ Population of Dominica: As of the latest data, the total population is 74,661 people! That's like filling a large stadium with cheering fans! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Population

74,661

Area

๐ŸŒ Dominica is a beautiful island nation with a total area of 751 sq km! ๐Ÿ๏ธ Interestingly, all of this area is land, making it a perfect picturesque spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Total Area of Dominica

751 sq km

Land Area of Dominica

751 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the Real GDP of the beautiful island nation of Dominica! This number helps us understand how much money the country earns in a way that considers the cost of living compared to other places. Here's what we found:

  • In 2023, Dominica's estimated Real GDP is $1.159 billion! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • In 2022, it was $1.106 billion.
  • And in 2021, it stood at $1.048 billion.

It's exciting to see this growth! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

2023 Estimated Real GDP

$1.159 billion

2022 Estimated Real GDP

$1.106 billion

2021 Estimated Real GDP

$1.048 billion

Real GDP Growth in Dominica

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒด Let's take a look at how much money each person in Dominica makes on average! This is known as Real GDP per capita, and it gives us a good idea of how rich or poor the people are in the country. ๐Ÿ’ฐ Here are the numbers for the last three years:

  • In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $14,500.
  • In 2022, it increased to $15,200.
  • And in 2023, it's estimated to rise even more to $15,900!

This trend shows that Dominica's economy has been doing better, with more money per person each year! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Real GDP per capita in 2021

14,500

Real GDP per capita in 2022

15,200

Real GDP per capita in 2023

15,900

Real GDP per Capita in Dominica (2021-2023)

Imports

๐ŸŒ Dominica's imports are an important part of its economy! Let's take a look at how they have changed in the last few years. In 2023, Dominica imported $414.13 million worth of goods. ๐Ÿ“ˆ That's an increase from $350.982 million in 2022 and $313.729 million in 2021. It seems like Dominica is increasing its imports every year! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Imports in 2023

$414.13 million

Total Imports in 2022

$350.982 million

Total Imports in 2021

$313.729 million

Dominica's Imports Over the Years

Exports

๐ŸŒ Let's dive into the exports of Dominica! Over the last few years, Dominica has seen some interesting changes in its export numbers. Here's how the exports have evolved:

  • 2021: $117.709 million
  • 2022: $174.041 million
  • 2023: $185.062 million

This shows a steady increase in exports, which is awesome news for the economy! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Total Exports in 2023

$185.062 million

Total Exports in 2022

$174.041 million

Total Exports in 2021

$117.709 million

Dominica's Exports Over Time

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Population Growth Rate in Dominica ๐ŸŒ

The population growth rate in Dominica is projected to be -0.01% in 2024. This means that the number of people living in Dominica might slightly decrease over this period. Population growth rates can tell us a lot about how a country is changing and evolving! ๐Ÿ“‰

Let's keep an eye on these numbers as they can help us understand the future of Dominica's population and what it means for its society and economy.

Projected Population Growth Rate (2024)

-0.01%