The largest and most
mountainous of the Windward Islands, with
volcanic peaks, mountain streams and rivers,
beaches of both black (volcanic) and golden sands, dense
forests, quiet
lakes,
waterfalls,
geysers and boiling volcanic pools,
Dominica is potentially a major tourist destination.
It has a relatively
low crime rate for the Caribbean and although it is among the poorest countries in the region, disparities in wealth are not as marked as in the larger Caribbean islands. However, poor infrastructure and the absence of a large
airport has impeded the growth of tourism. Proposals to build an airport capable of taking large jet aircraft have yet to materialize as there is concern that an increase in tourist arrivals, even with the promotion of
ecotourism, would damage the island’s finely balanced environment.
The island, which was originally occupied by Carib Indians (some of whose descendants remain), was
discovered by Columbus in 1493 and colonized by the French in the 1600s. In 1805, the island became a
British possession and remained under British rule until 1967, when internal self-government was granted, followed by full
independence in 1978. Post-independence politics have been somewhat stormy, with two coup attempts by leftist members of the island’s defense force during the early 1980s.
GeographyDominica is a large and mountainous island, geographically part of the Leeward Islands, though historically for administrative purposes it has been grouped with the Windward Islands. It boasts volcanic peaks, mountain streams and rivers, dense forests, quiet lakes, waterfalls, geysers and boiling volcanic pools. There are beaches of both black (volcanic) and golden sands, while orchids and untamed subtropical vegetation grow in the valleys. Guadeloupe lies to the north and Martinique to the south.
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