|
Also
known as: |
Nature
Island of
the
Caribbean
(Source:
Caribbean
Islands
Handbook
(Footprint
Handbooks)
8th ed.)
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Motto: |
After the
Good Lord,
we Love the
Earth
|
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Location: |
The most
northerly
and largest
of the
Windward
Islands
situated
between
Guadeloupe
to the
north, and
Martinique
to the
south.
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History: |
Dominica was
occupied
first by the
Amerindians.
It was
sighted and
named by
Christopher
Columbus in
1493. The
island
changed
hands
several
times in the
18th
century, but
it finally
became
British in
1805. It was
joined to
the Leeward,
then the
Windward
Island, and
achieved
separate
status in
1960.
Dominica
became a
British
Associate
State in
1967, and
gained
independence
on November
3, 1978.
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Elections: |
Last
elections
were held in
2005. Next
election due
2010
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Ruling
Party: |
Dominica
Labour Party
(DLP)
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Major
Political
Parties: |
Dominica
Labour Party
(DLP),
United
Workers
Party (UWP),
Dominica
Freedom
Party (DFP)
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Airports: |
Canefield;
Melville
Hall
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Status: |
Independent
Republic - 3
November
1978
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Capital: |
Roseau
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Head of
State: |
H.E. Dr.
Nicholas
Joseph
Orville
Liverpool,
DAH,
President
|
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National
Holidays: |
New Year's
Day (01
January);
Carnival
(Monday and
Tuesday
before Ash
Wednesday);
Good Friday,
Easter
Monday;
Labour Day
(01 May);
Whit Monday
(50 days
after Easter
Sunday);
August
Monday
(First
Monday in
August);
Independence
Day (03
November);
Community
Day of
Service (04
November);
Christmas
Day (25
December);
Boxing Day
(26
December)
Holidays
that fall on
a Sunday are
observed the
following
Monday
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|
CARICOM
Membership: |
1
May 1974
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Highest
National
Award: |
Sisserou
Award of
Honour
|
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Favourite
Dishes: |
Mountain
Chicken;
Lobster
Dominic
|
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Web
Page: |
http://www.dominica.dm
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