Dominica
Commonwealth of Dominica
parliamentary democracyIndependence 3 November 1978 (from UK)
Dominica as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 84 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the | North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to | Trinidad and Tobago
14 fieldsLand useshare of 750 sq km
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Terrain
rugged mountains of volcanic origin
- lowest point:
- Caribbean Sea 0 m
- highest point:
- Morne Diablatins 1,447 m
Environment
- current issues:
- NA
- natural hazards:
- flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 28% (male 11,986; female 11,521)
- 15-64 years:
- 64% (male 27,206; female 25,841)
- 65 years and over:
- 8% (male 2,608; female 3,764) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.69 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy; President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Assembly; Prime Minister Edison C. JAMES (since 12 June 1995)
20 fieldsAdministrative divisions
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) was elected for a five-year term by the House of Assembly;
- election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998);
- results - percent of vote NA
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Edison C. JAMES (since 12 June 1995); prime minister is appointed by the president
- cabinet:
- Cabinet was appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
House of Assembly
- elections last held 12 June 1995 (next to be held by October 2000);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) UWP 11, DLP 5, DFP 5
Judicial branch
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (located in Santa Lucia), one of the six judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders
- Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian ALLEYNE;
- Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS;
- United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US
Dominica does not have an embassy in the US; consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation
the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the Ambassador to Dominica resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
Flag
- green with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white - the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white;
- superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow;
- the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Economy
The economy is dependent on agriculture and | thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions.
21 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 7,000 kW
Economic overview
The economy is dependent on agriculture and thus is highly vulnerable to climatic conditions. Agriculture accounts for 26% of GDP and employs 40% of the labor force. Development of the tourist industry remains difficult because of the rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport.
Hurricane Luis devastated the country's banana crop in September 1995; tropical storms had wiped out one-quarter of the crop in 1994 as well. The newly elected government is attempting to develop an offshore financial industry in order to diversify the island's production base.
Agriculture
bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited
Exports
$48.3 million (f.o.b., 1993)
- commodities:
- bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges
- partners:
- UK 55%, Caricom countries, Italy, US
Imports
$98.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)
- commodities:
- manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals
- partners:
- US 25%, Caricom, UK, Japan, Canada
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 2 in all
Networkskm
Communications
Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Special | Service Unit, Coast Guard)
9 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- fully automatic network
- international:
- microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Dominica.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/dominica/1996.