Discover Fascinating Dominica Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Dominica.
Dominica
Background
๐ด Dominica: A Remarkable Journey Through History! ๐ด
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! ๐ช
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! ๐
Year Dominica Gained Independence
1978
Year France Ceded Possession to Britain
1763
Dominica as a British Colony
1805-1978
Exports - commodities
๐ Dominica has a diverse range of exports! Some key commodities include:
- Power equipment ๐
- Soap ๐งผ
- Raw iron bars ๐๏ธ
- Natural gas โฝ
- Tropical fruits ๐๐
These goods showcase the unique products that Dominica brings to the global market!
Exports - partners
๐ 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! ๐ 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
๐ 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. ๐๏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 ๐
- Natural Gas ๐จ
- Crude Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Plastic Products ๐๏ธ
- Cars ๐
These imports play a vital role in Dominicaโs day-to-day activities and overall development.
Climate
๐ด 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! ๐ง๏ธ
Executive branch
In Dominica, the key leaders of the government bring energy and enthusiasm to their roles! ๐ 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! ๐๏ธ
Current President since
2 October 2023
Current Prime Minister since
8 January 2004
Legislative branch
๐ฉ๐ฒ Dominica has a unique unicameral legislative system called the House of Assembly! ๐๏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. ๐
Total seats in the House of Assembly
32
Natural resources
๐ฟ 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:
- Timber: Dominica's forests are rich in valuable timber, making it possible for sustainable forestry practices. ๐ณ
- 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. โก
- 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. ๐พ
Dominica truly cherishes its natural resources, contributing to both ecological balance and economic sustainability!
Key Natural Resources
Timber, Hydropower, Arable Land
Economic overview
๐ด Welcome to the beautiful island of Dominica! ๐ฉ๐ฒ This Eastern Caribbean nation has a vibrant economy that's mostly centered around agriculture! ๐พ Here's what makes their economy tick:
- Highly Agrarian: Dominica's economy heavily relies on farming and agriculture. Itโs 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! ๐ They grow and sell lots of bananas to other countries.
- Investment Opportunities: Thereโs been an improvement in how Dominica oversees its citizenship-by-investment program, making it a popular choice for investors! ๐ฐ
- Emerging Industries: Dominica is exploring exciting new industries like ecotourism, information and communications, and education. ๐๐ป๐
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
๐ฉ๐ด 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! ๐๏ธ
Ethnic groups
In beautiful Dominica, the ethnic mix is quite diverse! ๐ 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! ๐ฐ
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
๐ 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. ๐ 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% โจ
- Rastafarian: 1.1% โ๏ธ
- Other religions: 4.3% ๐๏ธ
- No religion: 9.4% ๐
- Unspecified: 1.4%
This diverse mix of beliefs presents an opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich culture of Dominica! ๐ฉ๐ฒ
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
๐ In Dominica, the official language is English! ๐ 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. ๐ด Are you ready to learn some new phrases? ๐
Official Language
English
Other Language Spoken
French patois
Imports - partners
๐ Let's Explore Dominica's Import Partners! ๐ In 2022, Dominica's imports were heavily influenced by a few key global players. Here's how it breaks down:
- United States: 51% ๐
- China: 9% ๐จ๐ณ
- Indonesia: 4% ๐ฎ๐ฉ
- Trinidad and Tobago: 4% ๐น๐น
- Italy: 3% ๐ฎ๐น
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? ๐ค
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
๐ 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! ๐
Total Population
74,661
Area
๐ Dominica is a beautiful island nation with a total area of 751 sq km! ๐๏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)
๐ 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! ๐ฐ
- In 2022, it was $1.106 billion.
- And in 2021, it stood at $1.048 billion.
It's exciting to see this growth! ๐
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
๐ด 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. ๐ฐ 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! ๐
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
๐ 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. ๐ 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! ๐
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
๐ 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! ๐
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
๐ Population Growth Rate in Dominica ๐
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! ๐
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%