Dominica

Currency
East Caribbean Dollar (EC$2.7 to US$1.00) ATM machines are in EC $.

Languages
Predominantly English; French and local patois (Creole English/French) are also spoken.

Legal System
Based on British Common Law - ultimate right of Appeal to the Privy Council in London

Population
75,000

Taxes
A 7.5% sales tax is levied on food, drinks and merchandise. There is also a 5% room tax on hotel and other chargeable short-term guest accommodations.

About Dominica
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 famous for its tropical rainforest, and the many rivers and waterfalls which result from the high rainfall in the interior. In addition, its volcanic origins manifest themselves most noticeably in the Boiling Lake (one of the largest of its kind in the world) and many other smaller fumaroles around the island (including at least one underwater).

Moreover, it is widely acknowledged to be both one of the best dive sites and a prime whale watching location in the region (if not world).It has several peaks of over 3,000', the tallest of which are Morne Diablotin (4,747') and Morne Trois Pitons (4,600').

English is the official language but a French-based Creole (kwéyòl) is widely spoken, especially in outlying villages. This reflects an often turbulent history in which the island would be assigned to Britain by a treaty with the French, who would promptly break it and try to regain control of Dominica. Throughout and to the present day the original inhabitants, the Caribs, tried to coexist.

In 1903 they were assigned a 3,700 acre Territory in the north-east where around 3,000 live today.

The original Carib name for Dominica is Waitikubuli, meaning 'tall is her body' and many of the villages still retain (or at least are still known by) their Carib name.

The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (of which there are 2.7169 to the US$). Office/Shop hours are 8am to 4pm; Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm (Friday till 5pm).