Dominica

Overview

Dominica as a Caribbean Island is perfect for the active but not so ideal for the beach lover. The lack of enormous resorts means the wonders will not have to be shared with many. Boiling Lake can be reached by a relatively strenuous trail. It is the second largest such lake that is active in the world. Other interestingly named attractions are the Middleham Falls, Valley of Desolation and Emerald Pool. The latter is easily reached from the capital, Roseau. The ever more active may wish to tackle the peak of Morne Diabolitin which is in the Northern Forest Reserve. Another place for exploration is the UNESCO protected World Heritage Site of Morne Trois Piton National Park.

Dominica is amongst the youngest islands of the Caribbean and has not yet been ruined by the presence of humans. The Carib Territory is where the Carib people can be found and Fort Shirley has been almost swallowed by the jungle, but the waters off the island should not be missed with their reefs and marine life.

History

The island's indigenous Arawak people were expelled or exterminated by Caribs in the 14th century. Columbus landed there in November 1493. Spanish ships frequently landed on Dominica during the 16th century but fierce resistance by the Caribs discouraged Spain's efforts at settlement.

In 1635 France claimed Dominica. Shortly thereafter French missionaries became the first European inhabitants of the island. Carib incursions continued though and in 1660 the French and British agreed that both Dominica and St. Vincent should be abandoned. Dominica was officially neutral for the next century but the attraction of its resources remained; rival expeditions of British and French foresters were harvesting timber by the start of the 18th century.

Largely due to Dominica's position between Martinique and Guadeloupe France eventually became predominant and a French settlement was established and grew. As part of the 1763 Treaty of Paris that ended the seven years' war the island became a British possession. In 1778 during the American Revolutionary War the French mounted a successful invasion with the active cooperation of the population which was largely French. The 1783 Treaty of Paris which ended the war returned the island to Britain. French invasions in 1795 and 1805 ended in failure.

In 1763 the British established a legislative assembly representing only the white population. In 1831 reflecting a liberalization of official British racial attitudes the brown privilege bill conferred political and social rights on free nonwhites. Three Blacks were elected to the legislative assembly the following year. Following the abolition of slavery in 1838...more