(COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic. Two different countries.)

LOCATION:
Dominica is about 1,500 miles southeast of Miami and 1,763 miles east of Honduras, Central America. The Caribbean Sea is to the west. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east. The independent Commonwealth of Dominica is sandwiched between the French-aligned islands of Guadeloupe, to the north, and Martinique, to the south.

POPULATION:
Population about 80,000. Commonwealth of Dominica gained its independence from Britain in 1978, but still holds both French and Enlish influences. Also home to the only remaining community of Caribs, descended directly from original South American tribes. Their reservation, Carib Territory, covers 3,700 acres on the eastern coast, and their traditions are evident island-wide.

TERAINE & WEATHER:
Unlike the Caribbean stereotype of white sandy beaches, Dominica is mostly mountains and rainforests with few beaches. It is 290 square miles, 29 miles long and 16 miles wide. About 75 percent of the island is covered by thickly wooded mountains, and more than a quarter of it is protected as national parks or forest reserves. The average high temperature is 85°F in January/ 90°F in July, and the average low temperature is 68°F in January/ 72°F in July. The driest months are January through April. Roseau and the west coast receive about 85 inches of rain annually, while the mountainous interior rain forest gets more than 340 inches per year. Hurricane season is predominantly between August and mid-October.

LANGUAGE:
English is the official language of Dominica, however, many locals communicate in a hybrid language known to scholars as Lesser Antillean Creole French.

TIME ZONE:
Dominica is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time on Atlantic Standard Time. However, Dominica does not observe Daylight Savings.

POINTS OF INTEREST (underlined denotes places we've been):

• 4,747-foot Morne Diablotin, Dominica’s highest peak
  
• Emerald Pool, a hidden forest treasure at the foot of a 40-ft waterfall
  
• Trafalgar Falls, a waterfall that drops 200 feet into hot sulphur springs
  
• Boiling Lake and Valley of Desolation, an intense hike to the second largest boiling lake in the world
  
• Indian River, a mini-Amazon-like boat tour
• Carib Territory, a 3,700 acre reservation for the original inhabitants of Dominica and great place for crafts
• Freshwater Lake, Dominica's largest reservoir set in the mountains at an altitude of 2,800 feet
• Cabrits National Park, a 1,300 acre peninsula for hiking and home to Fort Shirley
• The red rocks of Pointe Baptiste and Calibishie, a beautiful village on the east coast and home of Calibishie Rock
  
• Scott’s Head, a point on the southern part of the island that is well known for its excellent scuba diving
• Sari Sari and Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls on the island
  
• Great island for hiking, scuba diving, and whale watching. Very nature-oriented island, not very commercial or touristy.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Whitchurch Travel handles ticketing for Dominica on several airlines, as well as tickets for air and sea travel to other islands from Dominica. Phone: 767-448-2181, fax: 767-448-5787, www.whitchurch.com
• Ross University School of Medicine website: www.rossmed.edu
  
• A Virtual Dominica Tour: www.avirtualdominica.com/home.htm
  
• The Official Website of Dominica: www.ndcdominica.dm
• Hunter Travel Guides Dominica & St. Lucia Alive! by Lynne M. Sullivan

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