First of all, let me send a shout out to all my Dominican Posse out
there, hoping that I do justice to our island. Take some time out to sign
my guestbook to let me know a brother has been here!! This page should also
serve as a nostalgia item for my abroad;never forget where you are from,
and be proud of who you are!! Big Up to all Dominicans and Caribbean crew!!!
Dominica, also know as the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean",
is an exotic island and just the vacation spot for you if you are wild about
nature. Situated between the twin French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique,
Dominica is the largest and highest of the windward islands. It is approximately
29 miles long by 16 miles wide, and covers an area of approximately 288
sq. miles(746 sq. km). The highest point is Morne Diablotin, which is 4,747
ft. above sea level.
Recognized as one of the Caribbean islands with the most fresh-water rivers,
Dominica is also know as "The Land of 365 Rivers", where you have
a river for each day. Wether or not this is true(as I have never gotten
the opportunity to check for myself), it is as close as possible to the
truth. Majestic water falls are one of the highlights of Dominica, along
with the lush green scenery.
Natural Beauty:
The mountains abound with rivers swiftly flowing to the sea, providing wonderful
fresh-water bathing, to be found no where else in the Caribbean. The profusion
of tropical fruits and vegetables, dense tropical forests, deeep valleys,
fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls, small geysers and hot springs,and wildlife,
attract botanists, ornithologists, nature-lovers, hikers, and mountain climbers.
The surrounding sea provides a fascinating underwater world for exploration
br scuba divers.
History:
Waitikibuli(the Carib name of the island), was the last settlement of the
Carib indians (who gave the Caribbean its name), and decendants still live
in a reseved part of the island known as The Carib Reserve(north-eastern
part of the island). The first European to see it was Christopher Columbus
in 1493. The island changed hands between the British and the French several
times until it finally became British possesion in 1805. Dominica gained
independence in 1978. The official language of Dominica is English, but
"patois" is also widely spoken, particularly by the elders. If
you can speak French, you should be able to understand and be understood
yourself to the islanders who don't speak English very well. English is
the business language, so don't fret if you have to go to the bank or to
the book store; they will speak perfectly to you! The island's culture exibits
strong French influence.
Climate:
Average temperatures vary between 24C and 29C all year round, and the main
rainy season is between June and October.
Beaches:
Most of the best beaches are on the west and north coast of the island,
ranging from black sand(Purple Turtle in PorthsMouth) to honey-coloured
sand(CastaWays is great!). The east coast is dangerous because of it high
winds and rocky coast and undertows, and bathing in rivers before or after
heavy rainfalls is not advisable due to dangers of flash floods.
The people of Dominica also offer themselves in service, as you will notice
if you go down to the famous market, situated in the country's capital,
Roseau. Here, there will offer you help, and at the market you will see
proof of the islands rich volcanic soil in the foods sold; the "dasheen",
"fig"(green bananas, also one of the main exports of Dominica),
"yam", "tanya", and all the others available.
Do you like what you read so far? Do you think this describes
your paradise? For more information about our Nature Isle, check out Dominica OnLine , a site with
extensive info about this paradise. Click here
if you want to view photos of Dominica to see what it's really like(photos
from Dominica Online. May take a while to load, so please be patient!).
Note: For now, please use the back button below to get back to the guessbook,
as this page is still under construction. Thank You!!