Dominica is located on an island of volcanic origin in the Lesser Antilles archipelago, in the Caribbean Sea, consisting of very mountainous territory. First, the country was a Spanish colony, and its name was given by Christopher Columbus, who landed on the island on a Sunday, which is why the country received this name.
During the Spanish occupation, the indigenous population was practically exterminated. Currently, there are about 500 descendants of the native population, who live in reservations. The colonizers destroyed the original vegetation to make way for the plantation of sugar cane, cultivated by the labor of African slaves.
In the 18th century, the French occupied the Domina and started to cultivate coffee and cotton. However, in the beginning of the 19th century, the island became the possession of the British, and it was only on November 3, 1978 that the country gained its independence.
The majority of the population is made up of descendants of African slaves. The country's economy is extremely linked to agriculture. Banana is the main product cultivated in the country, with the production of tobacco and coconut oil standing out as well. Dominica has high rates of unemployment (23%) and poverty (30%).
Coat of arms
Dominica Data:
Territorial extension: 751 km².
Location: Central America.
Capital: Roseau.
Tropical weather.
Government: Parliamentary Republic.
Administrative division: 10 parishes, local governments in Roseau and the Caribbean Indian Reservation.
English language.
Religion: Christianity 94.8% (Catholic 79%, Protestant 15.8%), other 5%, no religion and atheism 0.2%.
Population: 70,382 inhabitants. (Men: 35,472; Women: 34,910).
Ethnic Composition: African Americans 91%, Euramerindians 6%, Amerindians 1.5%, Southern Europeans 0.5%, other 1%.
Demographic density: 93.7 inhab/km².
Average annual population growth rate: -0.2%.
Population residing in urban areas: 74.28%.
Population residing in rural areas: 25.72%.
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): US$326 million.
GDP per capita: 4,838 US$.
External relations: World Bank, Caricom, Commonwealth, IMF, OAS, WTO, UN.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
countries - geography - Brazil School
