世界各国

Dominica

Introduction to Dominica

Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.

Government

Capital:

Roseau

Independence:

3 November 1978 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

Economy

Economy overview:

The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and international economic developments. Production of bananas dropped precipitously in 2003, a major reason for the 1% decline in GDP. Tourism increased in 2003 as the government sought to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. Development of the tourism industry remains difficult, however, because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international airport. The government began a comprehensive restructuring of the economy in 2003 - including elimination of price controls, privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to address Dominica's economic crisis and to meet IMF targets. In order to diversify the island's production base the government is attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is planning to construct an oil refinery on the eastern part of the island.

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $380 million (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 18%
industry: 24%
services: 58% (2002 est.)

Agriculture products:

bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited 

Industries:

soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

Transportation

Highways:

total: 780 km
paved: 393 km
unpaved: 387 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Portsmouth, Roseau

Merchant marine:

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,771 GRT/19,736 DWT
by type: cargo 3, container 2, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: Bahamas 1, Cyprus 1, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2003 est.)

Airports:

2 (2003 est.)