KEY FACTS
Joined Commonwealth: 1978
Population: 72,000 (2012)
GDP p.c. growth: 1.8% p.a. 1990–2012
UN HDI 2012: world ranking 72
Official language: English
Time: GMT minus 4hr
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$)
Geography
Area: 750 sq km
Coastline: 148 km
Capital: Roseau
The Commonwealth of Dominica is one of the Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, lying between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south.
Main towns:
Roseau (capital, pop. 13,400 in 2010), Canefield (3,400), Portsmouth (3,300), Marigot (2,700), Salisbury (2,600), Atkinson (2,200), Berekua (2,000), St Joseph (1,900), Castle Bruce(1,900), Wesley (1,600) and Mahaut (1,200).
Society
KEY FACTS 2012
Population per sq km: 96
Life expectancy: 76 years (est.)
Net primary enrolment: 92% (2010)
Population:
72,000 (2012); 67 per cent of people live in urban areas; growth 0.0 per cent p.a. 1990–2012, due mainly to the emigration of young people; birth rate 16 per 1,000 people (est.26 in 1970); life expectancy 76 years (est.) The population is mostly of African and mixed African/European descent, with European, Syrian and Carib (2.9 per cent in 2001 census) minorities. There is a Carib reserve on part of the east of the island, referred to as the Carib Territory.
Language:
The official language is English; a French-based Creole is spoken by most of the population.
Education:
Public spending on education was four per cent of GDP in 2010. There are 12 years of compulsory education starting at the age of five. Primary school comprises seven years and secondary five. Some 91 per cent of pupils complete primary school (2010). The school year starts in September. Further education is provided at a teacher-training college; a nursing school; and at the regional University of the West Indies, which has a branch in Dominica and main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Dominica State College, a publicly funded institution, offers programmes leading to GCE ALevel, certificates, and associate degrees; and a large and diverse programme of continuing education for mature students.
