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Dominica |
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Motto: |
After the Good Lord we Love the
Earth |
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Location: |
The most northerly and largest of the
Windward Islands situated between Guadeloupe to the north, and
Martinique to the south.
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Geographic
coordinates: |
15 25 N, 61 20 W |
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History: |
Dominica was occupied first by the
Amerindians. It was sighted and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
The island changed hands several times in the 18th century, but it
finally became British in 1805. It was joined to the Leeward, then the
Windward Island, achieved a separate status in 1960, became a British
Associate in 1967, and gained independence on November 3, 1978. 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 |
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Chief
of State:
Head of Government:
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President
Vernon Lordon SHAW (since 6 October 1998)
PRIME MINISTER Roosevelt Skerrit, was chosen by The Dominica Labor Party, the country's main political party and was sworn in Thursday, January 8, 2004 as the Caribbean's island's new
PRIME MINISTER
to replace Pierre Charles who collapsed and died Tuesday January 6, 2004 of
a heart attack.
Roosevelt Skerritt was the Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister in the Pierre Charles
Government.
Prime Minister Skerritt at 31 years old is the youngest person even to hold the office of Prime Minister in the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Skerritt is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He also holds a postgraduate certificate in Education.
The Cabinet is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister.
President elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term;
election last held 6 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003); the
prime minister is appointed by the president.
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Major Political Parties: |
United Workers Party
(UWP), Dominica
Freedom Party (DFP), Democratic Labour Party (DLP) |
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Economic Summary: |
Agriculture is the main feature of the
economy, with bananas, citrus and coconuts being the main focus. Tourism
and Light manufacturing are developing. Dominica is an open
pro-investment economy. Corporate tax is 30%, personal tax 20-40%, and
withholding tax or estate duty; 3% sales tax, 20% consumption tax and
15% surcharge tax are applied to consumer items. |
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Airport: |
Canefield/Melville Hall |
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Status: |
Independent Republic (3 November 1978) |
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Capital: |
Roseau |
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Head of Government: |
Hon. Pierre Charles, Prime Minister |
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Head of State: |
Vernon Shaw |
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Area: |
750 square kilometers
(290 square miles) |
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Population: |
76,000 (mid-1997) |
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GDP Per Capita (at current market prices): |
EC$8,684 (1997) |
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Total Exports: |
EC$125.5m (1998) |
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Total Imports: |
EC$363.3m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$98.3m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$93.6m (1998) |
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Business Hours: |
Commercial: 8:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-14:00 hrs Monday to
Friday
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National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Carnival
(Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); Good Friday, Easter Monday; Labor
Day (01 May); Whit Monday (50 days after Easter Sunday); August
Monday (First Monday in August); Independence Day (03 November);
Community Day of Service (04 November); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December) |
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Date of CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
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National Anthem: |
Isle of Beauty
Isle of beauty, isle of splendor,
Isle of all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder,
At thy gifts so rich and rare,
Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains,
All these gifts we we extol,
Healthy lands so like all fountains,
Giving cheer, that warms the soul.
Dominica God hath blest thee,
With a clime benign and bright,
Pastures green and flowers of beauty,
Filling all with pure delight,
And a people strong and healthy,
Full of Godly reverent fear,
May we ever seek to praise thee,
For these gifts so rich and rare.
Come ye forward, sons and daughters,
Of this Gem beyond compare,
Strive for honor sons and daughters,
Do the right be firm be fair.
Toil with hearts and hands and voices,
We must prosper! Sound the call,
In which everyone rejoices
"All for Each and Each for All!"
(Words by W.O.M. Pond, Music by L.M.
Christian)
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Highest National Award: |
Sisserou Award of Honour |
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Favourite Dishes: |
Mountain Chicken; Lobster Dominic |
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Last Updated: January
2004
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