Dominica Facts & Worksheets

Dominica is a Lesser Antilles island republic in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is between Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante in the north and Martinique in the south. 

See the fact file below for more information on Dominica, or you can download our 29-page Dominica worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• The earliest colonists (1632) were French, but the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) decided to recognize the island as neutral territory and leave it to the Caribs. Dominica was divided between France and Britain from that time until 1805. 
• Furthermore, French colonists continued to settle in Dominica until 1759, when the British conquered the island. In 1763, it was formally handed to Britain.
• Dominica was seized by French forces from Martinique in 1778. In 1783, the British reclaimed the island. The French, who had arrived from Guadeloupe, failed to reclaim the island in 1795. 
• Dominica was established as a separate colony in 1771 after being managed as a portion of the Leeward Islands. It was administratively reunited with the Leewards in 1883 and remained so until 1940, when it was transferred as a separate colony to the Windward Islands.
• Dominica joined the West Indies Federation in 1958. Following the dissolution of that organization in 1962, proposals for alternate types of federation were initiated. These difficulties were resolved when the British government enacted the West Indies Act in 1967, which granted Dominica the status of an associate member of the United Kingdom. The island gained full internal self-government under the 1967 constitution.
• Dominica gained complete independence on November 3, 1978, with Patrick Roland John as its first prime minister. As a result of the cabinet crisis, Oliver Seraphine became Prime Minister in May 1979.
• In August 1979, Hurricane David devastated the island. The storm not only wrecked the island’s economic staple, the banana crop, but it also took away most of its topsoil and effectively wiped off the country’s agricultural basis.
• Eugenia Charles, the declared winner of the 1980 elections, became the Caribbean’s first female prime minister. She founded the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) to protest legislation restricting journalistic freedom.
• The Dominica United Workers’ Party (UWP) and the Labour Party of Dominica, a left-wing coalition created in 1985 by the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and two minor left-of-center organizations, narrowly defeated the DFP in the 1990 elections.
• Furthermore, Hurricane Luis devastated nearly all of the island’s banana fields in September 1995. The subsequent five-year banana industry crisis harmed the James administration’s popularity. In January 2000, the DLP gained 10 of the House of Assembly’s 21 seats, creating an alliance with the DFP, which won two seats.
• In a December 2000 by-election, Douglas’s former parliamentary seat was taken by his nephew; Ian Douglas, and the DLP preserved its majority.
• Tropical Storm Erika devastated Dominica in late August 2015, and Hurricane Maria became the most powerful storm on record in September 2017. Flooding and landslides were caused by powerful winds and heavy rains, destroying structures and killing people. 

LAND: RELIEF, DRAINAGE, SOILS

• The island was formed by volcanic activity. Dominica features several active volcanoes. However, eruptions are uncommon. Boiling Lake is 2,300 feet (700 meters) above sea level in the south, and its waters are frequently forced 3 feet (1 meter) beyond normal by the pressure of releasing gases.
• The soils of the island are rich in alluvial and volcanic deposits. There are multiple rivers, all of which are impassable. A chain of high forest-clad mountains extends north to south, with a plain in the center drained by the Layou River, which flows west; the highest peaks are Mount Diablotins & Mount Trois Pitons.
• On the other hand, Dominica benefits from an enjoyable climate, especially during the milder months of December to March. Summer temperatures average 90°F. Winter temperatures are not significantly lower, with average highs ranging from 84 to 86°F. The dry season lasts from February to May, and the rainy season lasts from June to October, when hurricanes are most likely.
• Rainfall varies, with the hilly interior receiving the most. The typical annual rainfall along the coast ranges from around 60 inches (1,500 mm) to 145 inches (3,700 mm), while in the highlands, it can exceed 250 inches (6,350 mm).

PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE

• Dominica is the Lesser Antilles’ most densely forested island. A wide range of birds and animals can be found in the forest. Dominica is home to two parrots: the imperial parrot, or sisserou (Amazona imperialis), and the lesser red-necked parrot (Amazona arausiaca). Moreover, the blue-headed hummingbird (Cyanophaia bicolor) can only be found in Dominica and the neighboring island of Martinique. The enormous frog known as crapaud or mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax), one of the island’s four amphibian species (and a national dish), has long been an iconic feature of Dominica’s wildlife. It has become critically endangered due to a fungal illness.

PEOPLE

• The majority of the population is of African heritage, with some Europeans, Indian subcontinent residents, and Caribs. Dominica is the only island having a sizable and distinct population of Carib Indians, ancestors of the people who lived on the island prior to European colonization. The majority of Dominica’s remaining Caribs, a small number of whom are complete of Carib heritage, live in the Carib Territory in the island’s east and are among the poorest citizens.
• Although English is the official language, a French patois is widely spoken, and the native Carib language can be seen in several place names. The Roman Catholic faith predominates, yet there are also Methodists, Pentecostals, and Seventh-day Adventists.

ECONOMY: AGRICULTURE, TRADE, AND SERVICES

• Agriculture continues to be the most significant component of the economy in terms of labor supply and contribution to GDP. Bananas, citrus fruits, and coconuts are the principal crops. Bananas accounted for approximately half of Dominica’s export revenues in the 1980s, but hurricanes frequently destroyed banana plantations in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
• Dominica produces its fruits and vegetables and ships them to Guadeloupe. The woodlands may contain marketable timber. Hurricane David destroyed nearly all of the island’s fishing boats in 1979. Moreover, a new fishing port and market were erected at Roseau with Japanese financial assistance.
• Tourism grew significantly in the late twentieth century, despite the island’s insufficient transportation infrastructure and relative lack of hotel amenities and appealing beaches. The island has tried to establish reserves for its unique flora and fauna, and it bills itself as the Caribbean’s “nature island.”
• Melville Hall, located on the northeast coast, is the principal airport. Canefield, near Roseau, has a second airport. Larger ships use the deepwater port at Woodbridge Bay near Roseau, but Portsmouth is still the primary banana-shipping port.

GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY: HEALTH AND EDUCATION

• The legislature elects the president, and the president appoints the prime minister chosen among the elected members of the House of Assembly. 
• The prime minister leads a cabinet appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives, with a maximum of three cabinet members being senators. The terms of office are five years.
• Dominica is a Commonwealth, United Nations, Organization of American States, Caribbean Community, and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dominica utilizes the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), the OECS’s single currency.
• There are several major hospitals. Health centers located throughout the island meet local medical requirements. Dominica’s largest health issues are digestive illnesses, diabetes, anemia, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections.
• In government-run schools, primary education is both compulsory and free. Several secondary schools, a teacher-training college, a medical school, a nursing school, and a campus of the University of the West Indies are available. Literacy is expected to be about 90%.

CULTURAL LIFE

• Carib material culture is still visible in manufacturing and using dugout boats and intricately woven baskets. With the creation of a cultural center in Roseau and rising visitor interest in Carib art and traditions in the 1990s, the Carib community experienced a cultural revival. The government’s cultural organizations have fostered the revival of nearly extinct slave-era traditions such as Afro-French dances, theatre, music, and costumes. Because of its linguistic legacy and closeness to Martinique and Guadeloupe, France maintains a cultural influence on Dominica. Moreover, Dominica’s French-influenced Creole was resurrected in the 1980s and 1990s with the printing of a dictionary and other literature. 
• In Roseau, the Dominica Museum has displays about the island’s natural history, economy, culture, and history. Furthermore, Jean Rhys was best known for Wide Sargasso Sea, a broodingly atmospheric novel set on a distinctly Dominican island.

Dominica Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Dominica across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Dominica. Dominica is a Lesser Antilles island republic in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is between Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante in the north and Martinique in the south. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Dominica Facts 
2. Money Down
3. Match Me!
4. What About Dominica?
5. #Dominica_Card
6. Dominica Influences
7. Tour Tips
8. Best Among The Rest!
9. Let’s Read More!
10. Write Your Story
11. Bon Voyage!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dominica located?

Dominica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Lesser Antilles and is situated between the French overseas regions of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

What is the capital city of Dominica?

The capital city of Dominica is Roseau. It is located on the western coast of the island and serves as the country’s administrative, cultural, and commercial center.

What is the official language of Dominica?

The official language of Dominica is English. However, a French-based Creole language called Dominican Creole is also widely spoken by the local population.

What is the major industry in Dominica?

The major industry in Dominica is agriculture. The country is known for its production of bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts, and other tropical crops. Tourism is also an important sector of the economy.

Is Dominica prone to natural disasters?

Yes, Dominica is prone to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes. It is located in a region that is frequently affected by tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically runs from June to November. The island has experienced significant damage from past hurricanes, including Hurricane Maria in 2017.

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