THE NATURE ISLAND OF THE CARIBBEAN By Sharmen Frith-Hemmings
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Imagine beautiful rolling lush mountains, hot water springs and the sound of rivers meandering through vegetation into the open mouth of the sea. The hustle and the bustle of a people who embrace you like you belong, a culture so rich it makes you want to stay. Yesss! We are back in the Caribbean, on another beautiful Island. We are touching down in Dominica an English and Creole French speaking Island, not to be mistaken for the Dominican Republic which is Spanish.
Dominica National Bird
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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
ominica is officially known as The Commonwealth of Dominica a small Island-Nation nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Marie Galante. The island gained independence from Britain in 1978. Dominica is perhaps one of the few islands that still have their original tribal ancestors living on the island. The Kalinago territory (reservation) is estimated to have a population of around 3,000 Caribs making it the largest settlement of indigenous people in the Caribbean. Through history the Caribs on Dominica have fought against the Spanish and the European settlers. Despite their best efforts, the population decreased, and they were forced into remote regions of the island as European settlers and imported African slaves, grew in number on the island. The Caribs successfully held out, with some help from runaway slaves also known as maroons. The reserve now houses a model village, where tourist can visit and see crafts such as baskets and mats been made, which are then sold to tourists. This part of the island forms part of Dominica’s rich culture that tourists have returned to enjoy time and again however this is not the only attraction on the island, Jimmy Cliff’s Many Rivers to Cross rings true 365 of them to be precise, one for every day of the year. Growing up with a Dominican Stepdad I had the pleasure of enjoying some of these rivers on my visit to Dominica. Playing in the cool waters of the nearby rivers in the village of Bence with friends, catching crayfish and watching parents wash clothes on the
Dominica National Flower
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