Dominica's natural beauty was originally enjoyed by the Carib Indians (some of whose descendants remain). They made the island their home in the 14th century, before it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The Caribs called their sunny isle Waitukubuli, meaning "Tall is her body", and some Carib descendants remain in Dominica today - the last surviving community on earth of this indigenous group.
Following Columbus' arrival, the island became known as Dominica - taking its name from the day he landed (Doménica is Italian for Sunday). France colonized in the 1600s, before, in 1805, the island became a British possession, remaining under British rule until the late 1960s.
Since 1978, the island has enjoyed full independence although self-rule has been somewhat stormy, with two coup attempts by leftist members of the island's Defence Force, during the early 1980s.
The arrival of Hurricane David in 1979 brought mass chaos: the immense tropical storm damaged three quarters of the island, destroying homes and killing 42 people. A bus still remains to this day crushed under a storm-felled tree in Rousea's Botanical Gardens.
Politically, the early 2000s proved eventful, with two Prime Ministers - Roosevelt Douglas and Pierre Charles - both dying while in office. Since 2004, Roosevelt Skerrit has been leading the country and remains a popular figure.
In recent years, Dominica has developed a close, if controversial, relationship with Japan, which has provided extensive development aid including a modern fisheries complex. In exchange, Dominica now supports Japan's much criticised efforts to undermine international controls on whaling. Nevertheless, given the island's serious economic problems, the deal enjoys wide popular support.
Almost entirely Christian, with Roman Catholic majority.
Social conventions:Casual dress is normal. Evening clothes are informal but conservative. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant social influences. Photography: Visitors should ask before taking photographs of local people.
English is the official language, but French Creole is spoken by most of the population.
