Dominica Facts for Kids

It is truly amazing how many wonderful places there are in the world. Learning about the geography of different areas, the different cultures around the world, and all of the varying aspects of the earth is incredibly important. There is so much to learn about each place and so many different places to learn about.

Some locations are known for their continuous hot weather while others are known for their constant cold weather. There are some locations that have an abundance of rolling hills and mountains while others are so flat you can see for miles in all directions. Different parts of the world each have their own things that make them unique. One incredibly amazing place on the earth is Dominica and this is the place that will be discussed here. There will be all kinds of fun and interesting facts about Dominica listed here.

The capital of Dominica is Roseau which is also the largest city in Dominica.
The highest mountain in Dominica is Morne Diablotins which reaches four thousand seven hundred and forty-seven (4,747) feet at its peak. This is equal to one thousand four hundred and forty-seven (1,447) meters. This mountain is the second highest mountain in the Lesser Antilles. The second highest is Mount Trois Pitons.
Both France and Britain claimed Dominica until the year 1763. At this point, Dominica was officially ceded to Britain.
Dominica officially gained its independence from Britain on the 3rd day of November in the year 1978.
The official name of Dominica is the Commonwealth of Dominica. Originally, it was named Wai’tukubuli which, in the Kalinago language means “tall is her body”.
Dominica played host to all those involved in making the Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. This is because the movie was filmed entirely in Dominica.
The original inhabitants of Dominica was the Kalinago people also referred to as Island Caribs.
Dominica is home to three national parks. One of these national parks, Morne Trois Pitons National Park, is where you will find the impressive Victoria Waterfall. The water has a milky white appearance due to minerals in the the water.
The Morne Trois Pitons National Park spans seventeen thousand (17,000) acres of Dominica. Within its bounds there are hot springs, volcanoes, lakes, and dense forests. Boiling Lake is also in Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Boiling Lake is the world’s second largest hot spring. It is two hundred (200) feet by two hundred and fifty (250) feet which is equal to sixty (60) meters by seventy-five (75) meters. This lake sits two thousand three hundred (2,300) feet above sea level which is equal to seven hundred (700) meters.
Dominica was named by Christopher Columbus when he first spotted it on the third day of November in the year 1493. This day fell on a Sunday which is what influenced the name Columbus came up with. In Latin, dies Dominica literally means day of the Lord.
The official language of Dominica is English. Other languages spoken are a French patois and the native Carib language.
Dominica is an island and this island is two hundred and ninety-one (291) square miles which is equal to seven hundred and fifty-four (754) square kilometers. It is twenty-nine (29) miles long and sixteen (16) miles wide. This is equal to forty-seven kilometers by twenty-six (26) kilometers. The coastline runs ninety-two (92) miles which is equal to one hundred and forty-eight (148) kilometers.
The population of Dominica is around seventy-two thousand six hundred and sixty-five (72,665) people.
The currency used in Dominica is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
In the summer, the average temperature in Dominica is ninety (90) degrees fahrenheit. In the winter, the average temperature is between eighty-four and eighty-six (84-86) degrees.
There are two types of parrots that can only be found in Dominica. The Amazona arausiaca or red necked parrot and the larger Amazona imperialis also called the imperial parrot and sisserou.
The most common religion in Dominica is Roman Catholic. Other represented religions are Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Methodists.
Dominica is one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean. This is because they rely heavily on agriculture in their economy and the crops are sometimes wiped out by natural occurrences such as a hurricane.