Nature
Island is what we call it and Nature Island is what we want to keep it.
Dominica is a mountainous island of volcanic origin, only 290
square miles. Eighty percent of the island has 2,500 mm or more
of rainfall each year, with up to 10,000 mm (10 metres) in the
central mountains. Over two thirds of
Dominica is covered by primary
tropical rainforests, with more than 1,200 species of flowering
plants and up to 60 species of trees per hectare. Two endemic
parrots are endangered - the Imperial Parrot or Sisserou (amazona
imperialis - Dominica's national bird, of which a population of
80 individuals remained in 1990), and the Red-necked Parrot or
Jacquot (amazona arausiaca - population of 300 to 400 in 1990).
Dominica was the last
Caribbean island to be colonised by Europeans.
Ninety percent of the population lives along the coast.
Dominica is also unique as home to the only remaining Amerindian indigenous
population in the
Caribbean. The Carib people, originally known
as Kalinago, live on a 3,700 acre reserve on the north-east coast
of Dominica. Most of the population of 3,400 people are farmers,
fishermen, or craft producers. The Carib Territory was established
in 1903 and full ownership to the land was vested in the Carib
Council in 1978. It is the only district where it is not possible
to own or buy land, with communal title held by the Carib Council,
providing an element of independence. The Carib name for
Dominica is
Waitukubuli, meaning "Tall or Old is Her Body," reflecting
Waitukubuli's mountainous, aged and protective characteristics
for her people.
