The most northerly of the WINDWARD ISLANDS in the West Indies, Dominica is the least changed since the Caribbean was first settled by Europeans. Christopher Columbus gave the island its name because he discovered it on a Sunday (in Spanish, Domingo) in 1493.
Dominica became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1978, with an elected president as head of state. Many of the island's place names remain French and some of the inhabitant, who are mostly descendants of African slaves, still speak a French patois.
THREE YOUNG VOLCANOES
Dominica is the most rugged island in the eastern Caribbean. Only 3 per cent of the land is flat. The rest consists of three relatively young but inactive volcanoes, the highest of which is Morne Diablotin (1447 m, 4747 ft). There are several hot springs in the Valley of Desolation in the south. Most of the island has more than 2500 mm (98 in) of rain a year and even on the sheltered leeward coast it rains two days out of three.
Dominica is the largest Windward Islands exporter of bananas to the UK. Copra, citrus fruit (especially limes), cocoa, bay leaves and vanilla are all revenue earners. 
Dominica is not a typical tourist island, but its rugged beauty and dense forests attract adventurous travellers. Until 1982 ROSEAU, the small capital, was a difficult two-hour drive from the only airport, but the new Canefield airport is only five minute' drive from the town. The old fort which once defended Roseau has been made into a hotel, Ship calling at Roseau have to anchor offshore. Portsmouth, in the northwest, has a better harbour but surrounding swampland has hindered the town's growth.