Fact 1. The Commonwealth of Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic, a popular tourist destination. In reality, these two countries have far more differences than similarities. For example, the official language of Dominica is English, not Spanish.
Fact 2. Dominica covers an area of only 748 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 75,000 people. This is several times smaller than the population of Norilsk, one of the northernmost and coldest cities in the world.
Fact 3. Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit Dominica. However, the island did not attract significant interest from the Spanish. France later took control of it, and afterward, the island became a British colony, remaining under British rule until 1978. Interestingly, unlike many former British colonies, the British monarch is not the nominal head of state of Dominica.
Fact 4. Today, Dominica remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in the Caribbean region. The country's economy has been weak for many years. Moreover, in 2015, Dominica was severely affected by Tropical Storm Erika. At the time, the Prime Minister stated that the destruction caused by the storm had set the country's development back by approximately 20 years.
Fact 5. Approximately 15,000 people live in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, accounting for about one-fifth of the country's population. The city covers just over 0.3 square kilometres, making it one of the smallest capitals in the world.
Fact 6. Dominica's natural environment is unique, and the country is rightfully known as the "Nature Island of the Caribbean." Despite limited financial resources, the government places great importance on environmental protection and strives to generate electricity using clean and renewable energy sources. The country has numerous solar panels and wind power facilities.
Fact 7. For many years, the government of Dominica has offered citizenship through its Citizenship by Investment Programme. This programme is one of the country's important sources of state revenue. Individuals who make a qualifying investment can obtain Dominican citizenship and a passport.
Fact 8. Dominica's tourism industry is not as developed as that of many other Caribbean nations. Tourists generally seek clean beaches, high-quality hotels, and well-developed tourism infrastructure. In Dominica, however, the number of beaches is limited, the selection of high-end hotels is relatively small, and some areas may experience security concerns, particularly at night.
Fact 9. Dominica is home to a large number of volcanoes. Fortunately, most of them are currently inactive. Due to the island's volcanic origin, the sand on some beaches is not yellow but grey or black. The island's numerous geysers and hot springs are reminders that volcanic processes are still active beneath the Earth's surface.
Fact 10. Despite its high birth rate, Dominica's population has remained almost unchanged for decades. The main reason is that many young and working-age citizens leave the country in search of better living conditions and employment opportunities. As a result, the level of emigration almost offsets the country's natural population growth.