Regional Notes
Dominica
GOVERNMENT
Dominica is an independent republic of the British Commonwealth, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic which lies 500 miles away (but also in the Caribbean). The two ports of entry are Portsmouth at Prince Rupert Bay, and Roseau, the capital.
MONEY
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar; US dollars are accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm, Friday to 5pm.
COMMUNICATIONS
Dominica has card-phone call boxes. Cards can be purchased in shops and bars near the boxes. Calls can also be made in hotels.
HISTORY, LANGUAGE, CULTURE
Although the official language is English, the island is named after the day of the week - 'Sunday', in Spanish - when Christopher Columbus first set eyes on it. The name is pronounced 'domineeka', with stress on the last i. The culture and everyday language are French creole: English is spoken here with a strong French accent.
Carib resistance to colonising invaders was very strong here, and Dominica is the only island in the eastern Caribbean where a pre-colonial population remains. (The Caribs, themselves invaders from South America, had already expelled the indigenous Arawak people). There is a Carib territory with about 3000 people on the east coast ; visitors are currently welcome there to buy handicrafts and view traditional canoe building.
Transport is plentiful, with taxis and private-enterprise buses. There is also car rental, requiring a local licence. Driving is on the left.
Public Holidays
New Year (January 1 & 2), Carnival Monday & Tuesaday (40 days before Easter), Good Friday & Easter Monday, May Day (May 1), Whit Monday (seven weeks after Easter), August Monday (first Monday in August), Independence Day (November 3), Community Services Day (November 4), Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
HEALTH
Medical care is considered substandard by US criteria. Your insurance coverage should include repatriation in the event of serious illness. Some Pharmacies stay open until 10pm in Roseau.
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
British Consulate, c/o Courts (Dominica) Ltd, PO Box 2269, Roseau, Dominica, Tel 448 7655.
Canadian High Commission, Bishop's Court Hill, St Michael (PO Box 404) Bridgetown, BARBADOS, Tel (246) 429 3550.
U.S. Embassy, American Life Insurance (ALICO) building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, BARBADOS, Tel (246) 431 0225.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Dominica is relatively undeveloped. It lacks beaches, but is visited for its profuse wildlife, hiking terrain, and pristine diving waters. Ecotourism is now being encouraged. To protect the marine nature reserves, fishing is restricted to licence-holders, scuba diving must be through a dive shop, and anchorages are restricted to designated areas. These anchorage areas are currently Prince Rupert Bay (Purple Turtle Beach and Coconut Beach), and off the capital Roseau (Anchorage Hotel to Woodbridge Bay). More anchorages may be made available in the future.
Regional Links
The Locations
Served from http://www.delphis.dm/basics.htm