Dominica

Interesting Facts About Dominica

• Dominica is the only eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Kalinago, with more than 3,000 remaining as of 2014, living in eight villages on the east coast.
• The Kalinago Territory was granted by the British Crown in 1903, making it a special protected area on the island.
• Dominica has a remarkably high number of centenarians - in March 2007, there were 22 centenarians among the island's 70,000 inhabitants, which is three times the average incidence in developed countries.
• Dominican Creole, a form of Antillean Creole based on French, is widely spoken alongside English, originating from French migration starting in 1690.
• A unique dialect called Kokoy (or Cockoy) is spoken in the north-eastern villages of Marigot and Wesley, blending Antiguan, Barbudan Creole, and Dominican Creole, spoken by descendants of Montserrat and Antigua immigrants who relocated in the early 20th century.
• Since 1979, Dominica has been a member of La Francophonie, reflecting its French linguistic and cultural heritage.
• Following the eruption of Mount Pelée volcano on Martinique in 1902, refugees arrived in boats to Dominica's southern villages, and some remained permanently on the island.

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