The Commonwealth of DOMINICA is not to be confused with the Spanish speaking Dominican Republic. It is nestled between the French Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean's eastern chain of Windward Isles. This 290 square mile island is a must for eco-tourists, nature-lovers, botanists, divers and visitors seeking holiday adventure. Dominica is one of the few Caribbean islands that has truly changed very little since Columbus visited and named it 500 years ago. Londonderry Bay Dominica Dominica is arguably the best all-around adventure vacation island in the Caribbean, with gorgeous reefs, plenty of tropical lush rain forests, hiking, waterfalls, warm water springs, splendid fruits and vegetables and modest hotels, expect daytime temperatures in the 80s and night lows around 68 in winter and 73 in summer, although a few minutes up the mountain and into the cloud forest can change all that dramatically. July to November is the wet season, but showers may occur anytime. Dominica's at the edge of the hurricane belt. Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica has a unique micro-climate - lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, 365 rivers, cloud-covered hills, sulphur springs, pools of bubbling therapeutic mud, hot mineral streams. The exotic animals and plants that have become extinct on nearby islands thrive here. Nature is spectacularly and uncontrollably rampant. Roseau is the capital and largest city of Dominica. The city lies on the southwestern coast of the island, at the mouth of the Roseau River. Roseau, which has a population of about 11,000. Roseau is the best base from which to journey into the interior. It's a quiet town where, although English is the country's official language, you'll hear the French-based creole patois spoken in the streets, markets, cafés and many rum shops. Night-life is usually calm and relaxed except, perhaps, when the island hosts the annual World Creole Music Festival, attracting singers and musicians from throughout the French Caribbean, Africa and Europe. Lush vegetation and indigenous forest cloak the island's mountainous terrain, several peaks of which exceed 4,000 ft. in height, whilst 365 rivers and streams wind their way through ravines and gorges to cascade over countless waterfalls, providing the island's cooling system and many opportunities to take a refreshing bathe in crystal clear waters. Tree ferns, orchids, heliconia and anthurium lilies decorate the forest floor whilst 175 species of birds, green iguanas, geckoes, tree lizards, aguti, manicou, beautiful butterflies and a multitude of colourful flora can be enjoyed throughout an island where nature trails abound. Dominica - Trafalgar Falls Dominica is rated among the top 5 dive destinations in the whole of the Caribbean and number 8 in the World. Diving opportunities off the 29 miles of sheltered west coast are exceptional and not to be missed if you are divers. There are several dive centres scattered along this stretch - from north to south: Cabrits Dive Centre, close to Picard Beach Cottages, Anse-A-Liane Lodge, near to Colihaut, the East Carib Dive Club at Salisbury beach, Dive Castaways at Mero, Dive Dominica and the Anchorage Hotel, side by side at Castle Comfort just south of Roseau, and Nature Island Dive at Soufriere. The marine reserve at Scotts Head/Soufriere Bay is a sumerged volcano, renown for its 'champagne' bubbles and great diversity. Douglas Bay, north of the Cabritts peninsular is also a designated marine reserve. On the Atlantic side, the north facing stretch of coastline from Blenheim to Woodford Hill has many attractive inlets and coves which are sheltered from the strong currents and breakers of the Atlantic and where snorkelling is also possible. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Dominica/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:57:34 EST Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") is an island of volcanic origins located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, at approximately 15 degrees North latitude and 61 degrees West longitude. Dominica is in the Lesser Antilles a part of the Eastern Caribbean and is approx. halfway between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. Dominica is mountainous with several peaks rising even above 4,000 ft. and covered with rich forests. It is the largest and most mountainous of the the Windward Islands, with an area of 289.5 sq. miles. It is 29 miles long and 16 miles at its widest. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Dominica/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:57:34 EST The best time to visit is December-May, when average daytime temperatures are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C, with nights about 10 degrees F/5 C cooler. Hurricane season is July-October. It's cloudier then and rains a bit more, though parts of the island are always wet: It rains a whopping 350 in/890 cm a year in the mountains and about 40 in/102 cm on the western coast. Always be prepared for rain in the forest areas (a rain jacket made of a breathable Goretex-type material is a good investment). Take a sweater or jacket year round -- it can get chilly in the mountains. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/Dominica/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:57:34 EST Driving is on the left, as it is in the United Kingdom - Dominica gained independence from Britain in 1978. To drive in Dominica, visitors need a temporary Dominica driver's permit, which costs EC$30.00 or about US$12.00 and is valid up to 3 months. This will be issued by the rental company, or can be obtained from any police station. Visitors need to bring a current valid driver's licence, issued in your country of residence. Though the island is a only 29 miles by 16 miles, distance in Dominica is deceptive and the island feels much larger. Due to the mountainous terrain, roads are mostly winding and indirect. To drive along the west coast from Capuccine in the north to Scotts Head in the south takes in excess of 2 hours. Melville Hall Airport, where most visitors arrive, is located in the north east, and it is approximately an eighty minute drive across Dominca to the capital Roseau in the south west. Some of the roads Dominica are not in the best of shape, sometimes narrow, steep or riddled with pot-holes. 4 wheel drive jeeps such as the Suzuki Samari are popular rentals. The speed limit in Roseau, the capitol city, and other towns and villages is 20 mph. Elsewhere on the island, there is no limit, and is a police decision as to whether your speed is dangerous, taking road and weather conditions into account. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/Dominica/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:57:34 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/Dominica/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:57:34 EST