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Dominica: Nature Island
built 634 days ago
Agriculture is Dominica's mainstay and bananas in particular, but less than a third of the island is under cultivation due to the mountainous terrain. However, the sector has been in decline, with its proportion of GDP falling from 25% in 1990 to 18% in 2005. Sadly, Hurricane Dean, which passed over Dominica in August 2007 destroyed much of what was left of the banana industry. In attempts to boost the economy Dominica is increasingly looking to niche markets in eco-agriculture and eco-tourism. There is ... a small offshore financial sector, with an estimated 9000 international businesses. In 2000 Dominica was listed on an OECD list of tax havens.
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Though Arawak tribes once inhabited Dominica, the Carib Indians either killed them or drove them away. There is an old history myth that the Caribs would eat the Arawak men and would take their wives. But by the time Columbus arrived in 1493 the Caribs were firmly in control of the island. Though many Spanish ships sailed to this island, the Caribs continuously kept any would-be settlers at bay.
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Coconuts are ... grown on Dominica and used primarily to make soap and cooking oil. Coconut-based toiletries now account for over 20 percent of the island’s exports. Other crops are being promoted to diversify the economy away from reliance on bananas. They include coffee, cacao, mangoes, citrus fruit, and root vegetables.
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The Northern Forest Reserve is another fine example of oceanic rainforest and is ... famous as the home of Dominica's national bird, the rare Sisserou Parrot. The Cabrits National Park, just north of Portsmouth, is home to the partly-restored Fort Shirley. It is also a marine reserve, and it is hoped the area around Scott's Head/Soufriere at the south-western tip of the island will also be declared a marine reserve in the near future.
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The island's economic development was, and is, shaped in large part by its topography - the steep mountains, ravines and thick rainforest always played a role in Dominica's history. Dominica's human history has often been characterised as a struggle between man and nature, but in more recent times this Georgian-era analogy has become less relevant. Today sees Dominicans aware of the value of their natural resources and controlling development to protect these resouces as much as possible - eco-tourism is a rapidly growing industry and offers increased diversification from an economy traditionally based on agriculture.
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The parrot is the national bird of Dominica and is shown on the flag and the coat of arms. It is a symbol of flying high and encourages islanders to aspire toward their loftiest goals.
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