Commonwealth of Dominica

Political Status: Former British dependency; joined West Indies Associated States in 1967; independent member of the Commonwealth since November 3, 1978.

Area: 290.5 sq. mi. (752.4 sq. km.).

Population: 71,727 (2001C); 69,900 (2007E).

Major Urban Center (2005E): ROSEAU (14,000).

Official Language: English (a French patois is widely spoken).

Monetary Unit: East Caribbean Dollar (official rate November 1, 2008: 2.70 EC dollars = $1US).

President: Nicholas LIVERPOOL; elected by the House of Assembly on October 2, 2003, and inaugurated for a five-year term on October 6, succeeding Vernon SHAW.

Prime Minister: Roosevelt SKERRIT (Dominica Labour Party); sworn in January 8, 2004, succeeding Pierre CHARLES (Dominica Labour Party), who died on January 6; remained in office following election of May 5, 2005.

The Country

The largest of the West Indies Associated States as constituted ...