Dominica (/ˌdɒmɪˈniːkə/ dom-i-NEE-kə; French: Dominique; Island Carib: Wai‘tu kubuli), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island republic. The capital, Roseau, is located on the leeward side of the island. It is part of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The island is bordered by France to both the northwest and south-southeast. Its area is 750 km2 (290 sq mi), and the highest point is Morne Diablotins, at 1,447 m (4,747 ft) in elevation.
Dominica is vulnerable to a wide range of natural hazards. The most common and historically most significant are tropical storms and hurricanes.
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes: Dominica is located in the Caribbean, one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Fifteen Caribbean islands are among the top 25 countries affected by tropical cyclone disasters. The probability of a hurricane hitting seven of them, including Dominica, is above 10% in any given year (IMF 20/07/2016). Most of Dominica’s population and infrastructure is located on the coast, making them particularly vulnerable to strong winds and high seas (ODI 09/2001). The yearly hurricane season officially starts June 1 and ends on November 30. This represents the period when most cyclones form in the Atlantic Basin; however, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time (DOWASCO).
Population: 71,200 (2011); 67% of people live in urban areas; growth 0% per annum 1990–2012, due mainly to the emigration of young people; birth rate 16 per 1,000 people (est. 26 in 1970); life expectancy 77 years (The Commonwealth). The population is mostly of African and mixed African/European descent, with European, Syrian and Carib (2.9% in 2001 census) minorities. There is a Carib reserve on part of the east of the island, referred to as the Kalinago Territory (The Commonwealth; CIA World Factbook).
The main priority of Dominica's foreign relations is economic development. The country maintains missions in Washington, New York, London, and Brussels and is represented jointly with other Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members in Canada. Dominica also is a member of the Caribbean Development Bank and the British Commonwealth. It became a member of the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund in 1978 and of the World Bank and Organization of American States (OAS) in 1979. In March 2004, Dominica established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In January 2008, Dominica joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas. Dominica is also part of CARICOM (The Caribbean Community), a grouping of Caribbean developing countries, not all of which are islands; SIDS (Small Island Developing States), a global alliance and grouping used at the United Nations; OECS, an economic bloc, some of whose members have a common currency; ODA-eligible (Official Development Assistance-eligible): the richer parts of the Caribbean are not eligible for aid under the rules of the OECD, but developing economies are. This may influence sources and quantities of aid for relief and reconstruction (Irin 27/09/2017).
Dominica is a member of CDEMA – (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) – the region’s disaster management authority, currently leading coordination and response in multiple locations (Irin 27/09/2017).
Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a generic country overview, please consult the following sources:
Dominica Wikipedia Country Information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica
Dominica IMF Country Information http://www.imf.org/en/Countries/DMA
Dominica Economist Intelligence Unit Information* https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/do.html
Dominica World Food Programme http://www1.wfp.org/countries/dominican-republic
Dominica UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Information https://www.unocha.org/rolac
Dominica Wolfram Alpha Information http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=dominica
Dominica World Bank Information https://data.worldbank.org/country/Dominica
Dominica Population Information http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/dominica-population/