Dominica

Background: Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia Charles, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. Area: Total: 754 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 148 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall. Terrain: Rugged mountains of volcanic origin. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m, highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m. Natural resources: Timber, hydropower, arable land. Land use: Arable land: 9%, permanent crops: 13%, forests and woodland: 67%.
People: Population: 70,786. Ethnic groups: Black, Carib Amerindian. Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% Languages: English (official), French patois.
Government: Government type: Parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth. Capital: Roseau.
Economy overview: The economy depends on agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions, notably tropical storms. Agriculture, primarily bananas, accounts for 21% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the lack of an international airport. Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. GDP - composition by sector: Agriculture: 21%, industry: 16%, services: 63%. Labor force - by occupation: Agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28%
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 19,000. Telephones - mobile cellular: 461. Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 10. Radios: 46,000. One cable television company. Televisions: 6,000. Internet users: 2,000. Highways: Total: 750 km, paved: 375 km. Airports with paved runways: 2.