Getting Oriented in Dominica

The Nature Island

The island is 29 miles (47 km) long and 16 miles (26 km) wide, with approximately 73,000 citizens. Because it was a British colony (achieving independence in 1978), you may wonder about the prevalence of French names. Although the English first claimed Dominica in 1627, the French controlled it from 1632 until 1759, when it passed back into English hands.