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Dominica – the green island |
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Written by jane69
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Sunday, 01 January 2006 |
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Page 1 of 2  The island Dominica is the Last Nature Island of the Caribbean. It is destined for hikers, divers and naturalists. Hikes range from short walks to all-day trails and take in rain forests, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, hot springs and other volcanic sites. Dominica’s rugged peaks and deep river valleys are the first thing you will notice when you arrive. Dominica has precisely 365 rivers flowing down from her green peaks and which bring the needful moisture.
 | | Carib Indian |
The Caribs, who settled here in the 14th century, called the island Waitikubuli, which means “tall is her body”. Christopher Columbus, with less poetic flair, named the island after the day of the week that he spotted it – a Sunday (“Domenica” in Italian) – which fell on November 3, 1493.
 | | Dominica's rainforest |
Dominica is 29 miles long and 16 miles wide, and has a total land mass of 290 sq miles. It has the highest mountains in the Eastern Caribbean, the loftiest peak, Morne Diablotin, is 4747 feet high. The mountains, which act as a magnet for rain, serve as a water source for the hundreds of rivers that run down the lush green mountain valleys. En route to the coast many of the rivers cascade over steep cliff faces, giving the island an abundance of waterfalls.
 The Dominica’s national bird is a Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis). It has a dark purple breast and belly and a green back. Sisserou parrot is the national symbol of Dominica. You can observe the Jaco parrot (Amazona arausiaca) also. More then 160 bird species have been sighted on Dominica.  | | Chauiere pool |
The island has large crapaud frogs (the legs of crapaud Leptodactylus fallax is national dish called “mountain chicken”), small tree frogs, many lizards, butterfly species, boa constrictors and many types of none poisonous snakes.
Most of Dominica’s attractions and places to stay are along the west coast (around the capital Roseau and the city Portsmouth).
 | | Dominica's airport Melville |
The tour starts on Melville Hall Airport mainly. The road leads down to the capital city Roseau through the 3700 acres Carib Territory, a home to most of Dominica’s Carib Indians.  | | Spanny waterfall |
It is predominantly rural area with cultivated bananas and breadfruit trees. The poor houses are traditional wooden structures on long stilts.
The first hikes to Spanny Waterfall is short and it finish at two small waterfalls (both about 30 feet).
 | | Capital city Roseau |
Roseau is a colorful West Indian capital. You can visit Old Roseau Market, Botanical Gardens, Catholic Church and streets lined with old stone–and-wood buildings. Than is possible continue to Scotts Head, simple fishing village. Here on the calmer and more popular west coast are predominantly black-sand beaches. Soufriere Bay around Scotts Head is good snorkeling area | | Sulphur spring (fumarole) |
and the place for watching a spectacular sunset (from promontory which is connected to the village by a narrow rocky neck of land).
In Soufriere you can see steaming sulfur springs in the hills above village. We bath in small rocky pool with calm sulphur water.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 02 January 2006 )
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The island Dominica is the Last Nature Island of the Caribbean. It is destined for hikers, divers and naturalists. Hikes range from short walks to all-day trails and take in rain forests, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, hot springs and other volcanic sites. Dominica’s rugged peaks and deep river valleys are the first thing you will notice when you arrive. Dominica has precisely 365 rivers flowing down from her green peaks and which bring the needful moisture.
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The Dominica’s national bird is a Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis). It has a dark purple breast and belly and a green back. Sisserou parrot is the national symbol of Dominica. You can observe the Jaco parrot (Amazona arausiaca) also. More then 160 bird species have been sighted on Dominica. ;)
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