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With tropical rainforest covering two-

thirds of the island, fascinating geothermal

activity, and some of the best diving sites in

the world, it is unsurprising that Dominica

has become known as the “nature island of

the Caribbean.” Sparsely populated by just

70,000 people, Dominica remains beautifully

unspoiled compared to many other Caribbe-

an islands. Until comparatively recently its

tourism trade remained quieter than many of

its neighbors but more visitors are now dis-

covering this jewel of the eastern Caribbean.

Recognizing that intensive tourism would

be incompatible with preserving the island’s

eco-system, the government has focused

on attracting eco-tourists ever since signing

an agreement with Green Globe, the envi-

ronmental division of the World Travel and

Tourism Council, to develop the island as a

“model eco-tourism destination” in 1997.

Welcome to the Caribbean’s Nature Paradise

Dominica is a hikers’ paradise with 300 miles of trails

snaking their way through the lush rainforest, which

contains an amazing 1,200 different plant species. As

a volcanic island, it also boasts extensive geothermal

activity including the world’s second-largest boiling lake,

which is found inside the Morne Trois Pitons National

Park, the first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in

the eastern Caribbean.

Dominica is the only Caribbean

island with a surviving population

of pre-Columbian Carib Indians.

Originally from South America, the

Carib Indians began migrating to

Dominica in 3000BC, calling the

island “Wai’tukubuli”. More than

2,000 Caribs remain on the island,

inhabiting a 3,700 acre territory in

the north-west.

The island’s architecture reflects

its diverse heritage, combining

English, French, and Spanish in-

fluences. Some of the old colonial

buildings and plantation estates

are a must see for island visitors,

along with a walking tour through

the historic capital city of Roseau.

Following independence Domini-

ca developed a successful banana

trade but this went into sharp de-

cline in the 1990s when the island

lost preferential access to the UK

market. The government has since