DOMINICA, the largest of the five presidencies in the colony of the Leeward Islands, British West Indies. It lies in 15° 30' N. and 61° 2o' W., between the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, at a distance of about 25 m. from each, is 29 m. long, has a maximum breadth of 16 m. and an area of 291 sq.m. A range of lofty forest-clad mountains traverses the island from north to south, broken in the centre by a narrow plain drained by the rivers Layou and Pagoua, flowing west and east respectively. The high est point is Morne Diablotin (5,314 ft.), in the north. Signs of volcanic activity include solfataras, subterranean vapours and hot springs; while in the south the so-called Boiling Lake lies on the mountain side, 2,3oo ft. above the sea; its banks are steep and its depth unknown. Its waters are often forced 3 ft. above the normal level by the pressure of the escaping gases; and the fumes are occasionally poisonous. The island is of extraordinary beauty and botanically remarkable for its great number of peculiar species. The hills produce valuable timber, while coffee, limes, oranges, india-rubber trees, spices and many tropical fruits grow luxuriantly in the rich lowlands. There are some thirty streams of consider able size, besides numerous mountain torrents. The fisheries are productive, and honey and wax are furnished by wild bees, origi nally introduced from Europe. The temperature varies from 78° to 86° F in the hot season from August to October, and from 72° to 84° in the cooler months; the rainfall varies in different parts from so to 162 in. per annum, but the porous soil soon ab sorbs the rain, and keeps the atmosphere clear and invigorating.
The manufactures include sugar, lime-juice and essential oils; the exports are cocoa, coconuts, limes and lime products, oranges and bananas. The inhabitants in 192i numbered 37,o59. The majority are negroes ; the whites are of French and British de scent. There are also a few Caribs, the remnant of the aboriginal population. A French patois is the language of the peasantry, but English is generally understood. The capital, Roseau (6,8o3), is a fortified town and a port ; Portsmouth, the only other town, possesses the better harbour in Prince Rupert's Bay on the north west. In religion Roman Catholics predominate, and a bishop re sides at Roseau, but there is no established church. Education is free and compulsory.
History.--Dominica was thus named by Columbus in 1493, in commemoration of the date, Sunday (Dies Dominica) Nov. 3. The first European settlers (1632) were French. In 166o a treaty appears to have been made between the French, British and the natives, assigning St. Vincent and Dominica to the Caribs, and in 1748 it was once more agreed that Dominica should be left in the undisturbed possession of the natives. Nevertheless the French settlers increased, and the island came under the rule of a French governor. It was captured by the British and recaptured by the French frequently in the wars from 1761 onwards, and in i8o5 the French general, La Grange, at the head of 4,000 troops, took Roseau and pillaged the island. The French were, however, unable to make good their hold, and Dominica has since remained undisturbed in British possession.
Since 1872 Dominica has formed part of the colony of the Lee ward islands. In 1898 the local legislature, in consideration of pecuniary assistance from Great Britain, abrogated the semi elective constitution and provided for a nominated legislative council, but in 1925 the island reverted to the elective system. In Apr. 1937 the Colonial Office announced the intended transfer of Dominica to the Windward Islands group.