AIRPORTS - We have two airports. In 
the north, Melville Hall is the bigger of the 
two and is an hour's drive from Roseau, our 
capital, and half an hour from Portsmouth, 
the island's second major town. Canefield 
is just five minutes out of Roseau. LIAT, 
Air Martinique, Air Guadaloupe and the 
Nature Island Express service both 
airports. We also have an information desk 
in the arrival hall of Antigua's V.C Bird 
International Airport to assist Dominica- 
bound travellers. When leaving Dominica, 
there is an airport departure tax of 
EC$25.00 for visitors staying more than 24 
hours. Day trippers pay ECS5.00. Children 
under 12 pay nothing. 
AGRICULTURE - Our soil is so fertile 
that often by just sticking a cutting into the 
ground, it will sprout in no time. Coffee, 
cocoa, limes, citrus and vanilla have all 
enjoyed their heyday here but our most 
profitable crop right now is bananas. 
Dominica Coconut Products have created 
an immense demand for coconuts and 
turns Dominica's entire crop into interna¬ 
tional soaps like Dial, Imperial Leather and 
Palmolive. Oils and detergents are also 
produced. There has been a recent 
demand for bay leaf, aloes, spices, coffee 
and citrus and these are grown and 
processed mainly for export. 
CARIBS - In the early 1900's, 3,700 
acres were set aside by the British, on the 
north east coast between the coastal 
villages of Atkinson and Sineku as a 
permanent settlement for the descendants 
of the Carib Indians, the original 
inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. 
Dugout fishing canoes are still made in the 
ancient Indian way and craft shops along 
the roadside sell Carib baskets made with 
the traditional brown, white and black 
designs that have been part of Carib 
culture for generations. This is one of the 
most authentic Dominican souvenirs you 
can buy. The altar at the Roman Catholic 
Church at Salybia, in Carib territory, is 
made from a Carib canoe. 
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS - 
The entire year from 3 November 1992 to 3 
November 1993 when Dominica marks its 
15th anniversary of independence from 
Britain, is being celebrated as the 
Encounter of Cultures. This special year is 
to observe the quincentennial of the arrival 
of Christopher Columbus in this part of the 
Caribbean and the program will focus on 
the island's culture, in particular the 
changes to the Carib Indian's way of life 
that occurred as a result of Columbus' 
arrival. 
CHURCHES - The majority of 
Dominicans are Roman Catholic. Other 
denominations include Anglican, Methodist, 
Pentecostal, Baptist, Church of Christ, 
Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah's Witness 
and Baha'i. Service times at the individual 
churches will vary, so call ahead for 
information. 
CLIMATE - Due to Dominica's rugged 
and mountainous terrain, temperatures 
vary according to how high in the hills you 
go. In the mountains, it is a lot cooler than 
in the coastal areas, especially at night. 
Daytime temperatures range from 24 
degrees centigrade to 29 degrees 
centigrade. The coolest period of the year 
is between November and February and 
the dry season is January to April. The 
rainy season is between July and October 
and parts of Dominica get more than 350 
inches of rainfall each year. 
CREDIT CARDS - All major credit 
cards and travellers' cheques are accepted 
by most hotels, restaurants and car rental 
companies. Listings in the RESTAURANT 
GUIDE show which establishments accept 
credit cards. 
CURRENCY - East Caribbean Dollars 
(ECS) referred to locally at "Ecee." Our 
currency is tied to the US dollar. Bank 
exchange on US travellers' cheques is 
ECS2.68 and on US cash ECS2.67. Check 
banks for daily rates on all currencies. 
DRIVING - In Dominica, we drive on the 
left hand side of the road. 
DRIVING LICENCE - Temporary 
Driving Permits can be obtained from the 
Immigration departments at both airports 
any day of the week, or from the Traffic 
Department on High Street in Roseau from 
Monday to Friday. Up to one month EC$20 
or EC$45 for up to three months. You must 
be between 25 and 65, have at least 2 
years driving experience and carry a valid 
driver's licence when applying for a permit. 
DRUGS - Use or sale of narcotic drugs is 
strictly illegal and carries severe penalties. 
ELECTRICITY - 220/240 volts, 50 
cycles. Almost 70% of Dominica's electrical 
needs are hydro generated. Please 
conserve electricity and turn off all lights 
and air conditioning before going out. 
FESTIVALS - Like all Caribbean 
islands, Dominica celebrates Carnival. The 
street festival, where a grand parade of 
colorful costumes parades through the 
streets of Roseau takes place on the 
Monday and Tuesday before Ash 
Wednesday. Calypso and carnival queen 
contests take place at least two weeks prior 
to the street bacchanal. Independence Day 
is celebrated on November 3rd and the 
Friday before Independence is usually 
observed as Creole Day or Jounen Kweyol, 
a day to celebrate the language and 
customs that are traditionally Caribbean. 
The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is 
celebrated in all Dominica's fishing villages 
in June and July and several villages make 
special observance of their special patron 
saint's feast day. 
GEOGRAPHY - Our neighbors are the 
French islands of Martinique to the south 
and Guadaloupe in the north. Dominica is 
29 miles long by 16 miles wide with a total 
area of 290 square miles of lush, forested 
mountains, deep gorges and valleys alive 
with clear rivers, streams and inland lakes. 
All this comes tied up in a narrow, coastal 
ribbon of volcanic, sand beaches and some 
of the world's most spectacular scuba 
diving sites. 
GOVERNMENT - Dominica's prime 
minister is the Honorable Dame Mary 
Eugenia Charles, the Caribbean's only lady 
prime minister. Since the 3rd November, 
1978, Dominica has been an independent 
republic. On that day, the island took on the 
full title of the Commonwealth of Dominica. 
HIKING - Get out and do it. There are so 
many trails in Dominica that you might not 
have time to explore them all during your 
visit. You can take on the gruelling trek to 
the Boiling Lake, climb Morne Diablotin or 
enjoy the more leisurely strolls to the 
Emerald Pool and around Cabrits National 
Park. Just remember, if you decide to be 
adventurous with your walking, take along 
a guide. Even the island's foresters are 
forbidden to go into the forest alone. 
ISLAND HOPPING Caribbean 
Express operates a fast ferry service to 
Guadaloupe and Martinique. Boat charters 
to these islands and Marie Galante are 
available through tour operators and hotel 
tour desks. LIAT, Air Guadeloupe, Air 
Martinique and Nature Island Express have 
daily scheduled flights to nearby islands 
and offer special day return rates. 
NEWSPAPERS - The New Chronicle 
is published once a week and is on the 
newsstands every Friday. 
RIVERS • While many love to boast that 
Dominica has a river for each day of the 
year (365), it is probably more accurate to 
quote Dominica's Resident Attorney and 
Magistrate, Thomas Atwood in 1791 when 
he estimated that the island had thirty 
major rivers with countless rivulets and 
streams. But whoever is right, nearly 
everywhere you go in Dominica, you will 
hear the sound of rushing and falling water. 
TAXIS - Taxis will take you anywhere 
you want to go and there is a standard fare 
for fixed destinations. If you hire a taxi for a 
day's outing, agree on a price beforehand 
with the driver. There are regular minibus 
and truck services that operate between 
Roseau and the rest of the island, again 
there is a standard tariff for each 
destination. 'H' registration on vehicles 
indicates that it is for hire and it is 
advisable to book a taxi in advance for 
evening outings as few are available after 
6pm. 
TELEVISION - MARPIN TV offers 9 
channels of American programming while 
VIDEO 1 has an additional two. 
TIME DIFFERENCE Europe: 
October - April, 4 hours ahead. April - 
October, 5 hours ahead. North America, 1 - 
5 hours ahead. Asia and South Pacific up 
to 13 hours ahead. 
TIPPING - Some establishments include 
a 10% service charge. Check your bill to 
see whether service is included. Where 
applicable there is a 5% government room 
tax and a 3% sales tax. 
TOURIST INFORMATION - The 
Dominica Tourist Division, National 
Development Corporation, Bath Estate, 
Roseau. Telephone: 44-82186/82351, the 
Dominica Hotel Association, P O Box 384, 
Roseau. Telephone: 44-86565. The Domi¬ 
nica Forestry Division also publishes 
several excellent maps, posters, brochures 
and booklets on the island's wildlife and 
flora. They can be purchased in local 
bookstores or from the Forestry Offices 
located in the Botanical Gardens in 
Roseau. Telephone: 44-82401. 
VISITORS VISAS - American and 
Canadian citizens do not require 
passports or visas but must have proof of 
citizenship (containing a photograph) and 
an onward or return ticket. All others must 
produce a valid passport and outward 
bound ticket except for French nationals 
who may stay for up to two weeks with a 
Carte Identite. 
WAITUKUBULI : The name given to 
Dominica by the Carib Indians. In their 
language, it means "tall is her body" and 
from the minute you set eyes on Dominica, 
you will see just how accurate the Carib 
description is. 
PRINT 
12 Exp-$27.00 
24 Exp - $37.00 
36 Exp - $47.00 
E-6 SLICES 
Mounted 
24 Exp - $36.00 
36 Exp - $48.00 
Unmounted 
24 Exp - $24.00 
36 Exp - $36.00 
Hr. Lab 
IH0T0W0RLD 
C - 41 Film 
Processing Printing 
E-6 Slide Processing 
Enlargement & Copying Studio 
1 Minute l.D. Passport Photos 
Tel: (809) 44-84707 
26 King George V. Street. Roseau 
• POST CARDS 
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• & MORE 
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