The island of Dominica belongs to the group of the Lesser Antilles and is the territory of the state of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The western shores of the island are washed by the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern ones - by the Atlantic Ocean. Martinique is located to the east of Dominica, and Guadeloupe to the west. Dominica Island covers an area of approximately 754 sq. km. The tropical state has no land borders.
The population of the country exceeds 72,500 people. Roseau is considered the main city of the island. Dominica is of volcanic origin and mountainous terrain. There are volcanoes on land, the highest of which is Dyabloten. It reaches 1447 m. Volcanic activity is expressed in the activity of geysers, lakes and hot water springs. Dominica Island is famous for its beautiful beaches covered with yellow and black sand.
Historical background
The picturesque island in the Caribbean was first noticed by Christopher Columbus in 1493. He designated it in honor of Sunday, the day of the week when this piece of land was discovered. In Latin, Dominicus is Sunday. After visiting the island of Columbus, Dominica was forgotten by Europeans and existed in isolation for about 100 years. Further, the island was owned alternately by France and Great Britain. Dominica became a British colony in 1805.
Natural features
The island of Dominica is considered the youngest of the Lesser Antilles. It is covered with tropical forests and mountains. Rare birds and animals are found on its territory. Arid lands can be seen in the west of the island. Inland, humidity is higher. The economy of the Commonwealth of Dominica relies on agriculture and tourism. But there are still not so many vacationers here as on the neighboring islands. The coastal areas are rich in commercial fish. There is the Morne-Trois-Pitons National Park, created in 1975. There are iguanas, bats, birds, possums, boas, etc. A unique bird of the island is the Amazonian royal parrot that lives in the mountains.
Climatic conditions
The island has a tropical, humid climate. The air temperature varies slightly throughout the year. The hottest months are September and August, when the air temperature reaches +32 degrees. It is coolest in Dominica in winter. During this period, the daily average temperature is +27 degrees. At night, it drops to +22 degrees. The island is constantly influenced by the trade winds from the Atlantic. They make the climate milder, bringing freshness and coolness with them.
