1. Background Information Capital: Roseau Population (2008): 72,000 Language: Dominica’s official language is English; however a large portion of the population speaks Kweyol. Currency - Dominica’s local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which trades at EC$2.67 to US$1.00. Dominica's legal system is based on English common law. More Americans visit Dominica than any other national group.

2. Background Information Dominica became an associated state of the United Kingdom in 1967 and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. On November 3, 1978, the Commonwealth of Dominica was granted independence by the United Kingdom. In the 2000s, the economy was hit by a spate of disasters, including the removal of the European preferential trade for bananas, the impact of Hurricane Dean, and the global financial meltdown

3. Tourism Dominica is mostly volcanic and has few beaches which is why tourism has developed more slowly than on neighboring islands. However, Dominica's high, rugged mountains, rainforests, freshwater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots make it an attractive eco-tourism destination. Cruise ship stopovers have increased following the development of modern docking and waterfront facilities in the capital.

4. Tourist Hot Spots Dive Fest -an annual event held every July focusing on raising awareness about Dominica’s unique and beautiful marine environment and educating the public about scuba diving. Events include – Underwater photo seminars, whale watching, and a “Best of the Week:” photo competition where prizes include cases of Kubuli. Morne Trois Pitons National Park - 16,980 acres of area, includes numerous attractions such as The Boiling Lake, The Valley of Destination, Boeri Lake, Titou Gorge, Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, and Middleham Falls

5. Tourist Hot Spots Hiking - Tourists can enjoy a gorgeous, scenic walk on a number of trails throughout Dominica with many of them leading to pools fit for swimming. Charles Warner Trail – A basic, easy trail which crosses the Pagua river and leads up to two pools. Tete Morne Trail – Medium difficulty hike, which leads to a village high above the island offering a great mountainous view. Boiling Lake Trail – Tough, 3-4 hour hike, leads to the famous and stunning Boiling Lake which contains bubbly greyish-blue water usually enveloped in a cloud of vapor.

6. Travel Advisories  Departure Tax: Visitors will need to pay an EC$55(US$22) departure tax when exiting the island. Children under 12 years of age are exempt.  Taxi: They are easily identified by the letters, H, HA or HB preceding the registration numbers on the number plates. There are standard fees from the city to both airports.  Road signs are limited outside of major towns  Vehicles are driven on the left.

7. Travel Advisories Cont. Seatbelt laws are not strictly enforced. Drivers should be alert for minibus (taxi) drivers, who often make sudden stops or pull out into traffic without warning or signaling Most roads are not lit during the evenings

8. U.S. Involvement in Dominica The United States supports the Dominican Government's efforts to expand its economic base and to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens. U.S. assistance is primarily channeled through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) The Peace Corps also provides technical assistance to Dominica, and has volunteers on the island working primarily in education, youth development, and health. The two largest private employers in Dominica are U.S. companies

9. U.S. Involvement in Dominica A large number of Americans attend Ross University, a U.S. medical school with a campus in Portsmouth. The United States and Dominica work together in the battle against illegal drugs. Dominica cooperates with U.S. agencies and participates in counternarcotics programs in an effort to curb drug trafficking and marijuana cultivation. In 1995, the Dominican Government signed a maritime law enforcement agreement with the United States to strengthen counternarcotics coordination.

10. References http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2295.htm http://www.dominica-weekly.com/traveling-to- dominicaten-things-youll-need-to-know/http://www.dominica-weekly.com/traveling-to- dominicaten-things-youll-need-to-know/ http://dominica-guide.info/ http://dominicawatersports.com/divefest.cfm