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Dominica is located in the Lesser Antilles or Windward Islands, part of the Caribbean chain of islands. It lies between the [[French]] islands of [[Martinique]] (to its south) and [[Guadeloupe]] (to its north]], and has a land area of 754 square kilopmetres. The capital city is Roseau.

Dominica is located in the Lesser Antilles or Windward Islands, part of the Caribbean chain of islands. It lies between the [[French]] islands of [[Martinique]] (to its south) and [[Guadeloupe]] (to its north]], and has a land area of 754 square kilopmetres. The capital city is Roseau.

*Area: 754 sq. km. (290 sq. mi.).

*Area: 754 sq. km. (290 sq. mi.).

*Cities: Capital--Roseau (population 14,500).  

*Cities: Capital—Roseau (population 14,500).  

*Terrain: Mountainous volcanic island with rainforest cover.  

*Terrain: Mountainous volcanic island with rainforest cover.  

*Climate: Tropical.

*Climate: Tropical.

==People==

==People==

Almost all Dominicans are descendants of enslaved Africans brought in by colonial planters in the 18th century. Dominica is the only island in the eastern Caribbean to retain some of its pre-Columbian population--the Carib Indians--about 3,000 of whom live on the island's east coast. The population growth rate is very low, due primarily to emigration to more prosperous Caribbean Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.  

Almost all Dominicans are descendants of enslaved Africans brought in by colonial planters in the 18th century. Dominica is the only island in the eastern Caribbean to retain some of its pre-Columbian population—the Carib Indians—about 3,000 of whom live on the island's east coast. The population growth rate is very low, due primarily to emigration to more prosperous Caribbean Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.  

English is the official language; however, because of historic French domination, the most widely spoken dialect is a French ''patois''. Nearly 80% of the population is Catholic. In recent years, a number of Protestant churches have been established.  

English is the official language; however, because of historic French domination, the most widely spoken dialect is a French ''patois''. Nearly 80% of the population is Catholic. In recent years, a number of Protestant churches have been established.  

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant (Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Baptist), Islam, Baha'I, Rastafarianism, Anglican, *Jehovah's Witnesses, Nazarene, Church of Christ, and Brethren Christian Churches.  

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant (Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Baptist), Islam, Baha'I, Rastafarianism, Anglican, *Jehovah's Witnesses, Nazarene, Church of Christ, and Brethren Christian Churches.  

*Languages: English (official); a French patois is widely spoken.  

*Languages: English (official); a French patois is widely spoken.  

*Education (2005): Adult literacy--94%.

*Education (2005): Adult literacy—94%.

*Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--13/1,000. Life expectancy--men 72 years; women 77.9 years.

*Health (2006): Infant mortality rate—13/1,000. Life expectancy—men 72 years; women 77.9 years.

*Work force (2005): 24,370.  

*Work force (2005): 24,370.  

*Unemployment (2005): 13.1%.  

*Unemployment (2005): 13.1%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

Dominica has a Westminster-style parliamentary government, and there are three political parties--the Dominica Labour Party (the majority party), the Dominica United Workers Party, and the Dominica Freedom Party. A president and prime minister make up the executive branch. Nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition party, the president is elected for a 5-year term by the parliament. The president appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the parliament and also appoints, on the prime minister's recommendation, members of the parliament from the ruling party as cabinet ministers. The prime minister and cabinet are responsible to the parliament and can be removed on a no-confidence vote.  

Dominica has a Westminster-style parliamentary government, and there are three political parties—the Dominica Labour Party (the majority party), the Dominica United Workers Party, and the Dominica Freedom Party. A president and prime minister make up the executive branch. Nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition party, the president is elected for a 5-year term by the parliament. The president appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the parliament and also appoints, on the prime minister's recommendation, members of the parliament from the ruling party as cabinet ministers. The prime minister and cabinet are responsible to the parliament and can be removed on a no-confidence vote.  

The unicameral parliament, called the House of Assembly, is composed of 21 regional representatives and nine senators. The regional representatives are elected by universal suffrage and, in turn, decide whether senators are to be elected or appointed. If appointed, five are chosen by the president with the advice of the prime minister and four with the advice of the opposition leader. If elected, it is by vote of the regional representatives. Elections for representatives and senators must be held at least every 5 years, although the prime minister can call elections any time. The last election was held in May 2005.  

The unicameral parliament, called the House of Assembly, is composed of 21 regional representatives and nine senators. The regional representatives are elected by universal suffrage and, in turn, decide whether senators are to be elected or appointed. If appointed, five are chosen by the president with the advice of the prime minister and four with the advice of the opposition leader. If elected, it is by vote of the regional representatives. Elections for representatives and senators must be held at least every 5 years, although the prime minister can call elections any time. The last election was held in May 2005.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*President--Eliud Williams

*President—Eliud Williams

*Prime Minister--Roosevelt Skerrit  

*Prime Minister—Roosevelt Skerrit  

*Minister for Foreign Affairs--Roosevelt Skerrit

*Minister for Foreign Affairs—Roosevelt Skerrit

*Ambassador to the United States and Organization of American States--Chargé Judith-Anne Rolle

*Ambassador to the United States and Organization of American States—Chargé Judith-Anne Rolle

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Crispin Gregoire

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Crispin Gregoire

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Inflation of consumer prices (2006): 2.4%.  

*Inflation of consumer prices (2006): 2.4%.  

*Natural resources: timber, water (hydropower), copper.

*Natural resources: timber, water (hydropower), copper.

*Agriculture (10% of GDP in 2005): Products--bananas, citrus, coconuts, cocoa, herbal oils and extracts.  

*Agriculture (10% of GDP in 2005): Products—bananas, citrus, coconuts, cocoa, herbal oils and extracts.  

*Manufacturing (3% of GDP in 2005): Types--agricultural processing, soap and other coconut-based products, apparel.  

*Manufacturing (3% of GDP in 2005): Types—agricultural processing, soap and other coconut-based products, apparel.  

*Trade (2005): Exports--$39.0 million (merchandise) and $82.0 million (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (27.8%), Jamaica (12.7%), Antigua and Barbuda (11.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (9.0%), and Saint Lucia (6.8%). Imports--$165 million (merchandise) and $49 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (36.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (20.5%), China (19.4%), European Union (13.4%), and Japan (4.6%).  

*Trade (2005): Exports--$39.0 million (merchandise) and $82.0 million (commercial services). Major markets—European Union (27.8%), Jamaica (12.7%), Antigua and Barbuda (11.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (9.0%), and Saint Lucia (6.8%). Imports--$165 million (merchandise) and $49 million (commercial services). Major suppliers—United States (36.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (20.5%), China (19.4%), European Union (13.4%), and Japan (4.6%).  

Bananas and other agriculture dominate Dominica's economy, and nearly one-third of the labor force works in agriculture. This sector, however, is highly vulnerable to weather conditions and to external events affecting commodity prices. In 2007, Hurricane Dean caused significant damage to the agricultural sector as well as the country's infrastructure, especially roads. In response to reduced European Union (EU) banana trade preferences, the government has diversified the agricultural sector by introducing coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, cut flowers, and exotic fruits such as mangoes, guavas, and papayas. Dominica has had some success in increasing its manufactured exports, primarily soap.  

Bananas and other agriculture dominate Dominica's economy, and nearly one-third of the labor force works in agriculture. This sector, however, is highly vulnerable to weather conditions and to external events affecting commodity prices. In 2007, Hurricane Dean caused significant damage to the agricultural sector as well as the country's infrastructure, especially roads. In response to reduced European Union (EU) banana trade preferences, the government has diversified the agricultural sector by introducing coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, cut flowers, and exotic fruits such as mangoes, guavas, and papayas. Dominica has had some success in increasing its manufactured exports, primarily soap.