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Purely Dominica

Purely Dominica


Dominica mountain view

Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park can be described as a Luxuriant natural tropical forest in harmony with volcanic features of high scenic appeal and scientific interest.

The park is also known for its diverse flora with endemic species of vascular plants, its volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls, illustrating ongoing geo-morphological processes with high scenic value.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park was also the first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Caribbean in 1997.

It was also the first of the islands’ National Parks to be legally established, in July of 1975, by an act of parliament.The Park is 13.4 km long by an average of 5 km across and covers the southern end of the mountain backbone of the island.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park was named after its highest point – a 1,437m volcanic stub, includes large tracts of the most extensive undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles and the headwaters of most of the major streams and rivers of southern part of Dominica.

Dominica River

Its range of five volcanoes contains a rare combination of precipitous slopes and deeply incised valleys, the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles with freshwater lakes, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, a boiling lake, and spectacular scenery.

Dominica vegetation

Other outstanding features of the site include the Emerald Pool fed by the Middleham Falls, Stinking Hole, a lava tube in the middle of the forest; The Boiling Lake, a 200-foot-wide flooded fumarole with grey-blue water that bubbles; Titou Gorge, a small waterfall located in a water-filled Gorge near the boiling lake, and the Freshwater and Boeri Lakes, separated by Morne Macaque.

Dominica's Boiling Lake

Morne Trois Pitons National Park is by no doubt, one the most highly scenic tracts of undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles. Its no wonder Tourist numbers are increasing every year. Approximately 10,000-15,000 visitors a year walk to the Emerald Pool, and another 2000 make the 6 km hike to the Boiling Lake from Laudat village.

Morne Trois Pitons Trail

Come explore Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park, and you will discover a number of ancient trails or footpaths, cross the Park roughly east-west between mountains or north-south along ridges. Some of which were used in the recent past before roads to the east were completed in 1960 for access to Roseau and by hunters. Now used for sightseeing such as to the Valley of Desolation, for trekking, cycling and riding. Canyoning and much more.

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Searching for Imperial and Red-necked parrots at the Northern Forest Reserve
  • Watching for whales just offshore
  • Hiking a to Boiling Lake
  • Visiting the region’s largest Carib village
  • World Creole Music Festival
  • Real Mas – Carnival

OVERVIEW

“The Nature Island” is just as its name implies: full of Eco-attractions, unspoiled wilderness and soft and hardcore adventures for everyone. Eighteenth-century Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park is man-made site worth seeing.

On an island so lush, it’s hard not to be romantic. If the mood strikes, rent a rowboat for a cruise down Indian River. Emerald Pool is the perfect spot for a champagne toast. Or try standing under one of the waterfalls that seem to plummet from every cliff. The twin falls at Trafalgar are a favorite to look at; those at Titou Gorge are only safe for swimming if a guide okay’s it.

Not everything on this 290-square-mile island is sweet-smelling, though. Sulphur Springs in the south emits pungent fumes as a reminder that the volcano that created this island is not finished yet. West of Sulphur Springs, Boiling Lake simmers and smells from the same volcanism in action.

While all the bubbling and boiling may seem forbidding, there’s little chance of Dominica firing up anytime soon.

Dominica underwater is surrounded by the same rugged scenery that reaches to the clouds. Volcanic activity has formed sheer drop-offs, arches and pinnacles, particularly around Soufriere Bay on the southwest coast. On the northern coast, Castaways Reef, Grande Savane and Toucari Bay are good. Calm waters suitable for swimmers, snorkelers and inexperienced divers can be found around Champagne, a sub-Pointe Guignard, an aquatic hot spring with calm waters made bubbly by underwater vents, attracts snorkelers and beginning divers.

HISTORY

Normally, when one speaks of Columbus discovering an island, what is meant is that the ensuing settlement caused the extinction of an indigenous people. Not so on Dominica, where 3,000 Carib Indians live on in peace. The French and English did try to join the Caribs a number of times during the 17th century, but the Caribs would have nothing of it. In the early 1800s, the British established their authority over the leaf-shaped island; this time, the Caribs yielded. Exactly 485 years after Columbus named the island for the Sunday he spotted it in 1493, Dominica was granted independence.

GEOGRAPHY

Topography:
This volcanic island has the tallest mountains in the Eastern Caribbean. It’s 29 miles/46 kilometers long and 16 miles/26 kilometers wide with five separate ecosystems, from coastal scrub to mountaintop elfin forest – each with its own range of climate, plants and animals – found on the island. Beaches in the south are mostly volcanic, while the northern coast has a few white, coral-sand strands.

Climate:
Wintertime highs average in the mid-80s, while summer days hover around 90^(o) F. It is cooler in the highlands and downright cold on mountaintops after you’ve been soaked by rain. The windward side of Dominica’s central mountains is one of the rainiest places on earth. Up to 400 inches/10,160 millimeters can fall in a single year, while the Caribbean side is relatively dry. Dry season is January to April, rainy season July to October.

Tourist Information 718-261-9615 , www.dominica.dm
Contact Information:
National Development Corporation
Phone: (767) 448-2045
Fax: (767) 448-5840
Email: [email protected]
[email protected], [email protected]
Web: http://vacations.to/dominica, http://www.dominica.dm
Address:
P.O Box 293, Roseau
Commonwealth Of Dominica
Int’l Offices Contact Information:
UNITED STATES OFFICE
Contact Person: Mr. Steve Johnson
Phone: (718) 261-9615
call us toll free 1 888 645 5637(only applicable to North America)
Fax: (718) 261-0702
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Web: http://vacations.to/dominica, http://www.dominica.dm
Address:
110-64 Queens Blvd. P.O. Box 427,
Forest Hills, New York,
11375-6347
New York, NY
Contact Information:
ENGLAND
The Saltmash Partnership
Phone: 020 7928 1600
Fax: 020 7928 1700
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Address:
The Copperfields,
London
SE1 0ENContact: Susie Tempes
Location Dominica lies in the middle of the Lesser Antilles between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Political Status Parliamentary democracy
Capital Roseau
Population 71,000
Size 289.5 sq. miles. It is 29 miles long and 16 miles at its widest.
Language English is the official language, but most locals speak a type of French patois (Creole) at home.
Currency Eastern Caribbean Dollar (US, British and Euro currency widely accepted)
Taxes $50 departure tax for nonregional visitors. A 7.5% sales tax is levied on food, drinks and merchandise. There is also a 5% room tax on hotel and other chargeable short-term guest accommodations.
Tipping Tipping is discretionary. Most hotels include a 10% service charge
Electricity 220/240V. Be sure to pack your own converter.
Area Code 767
Time Atlantic Standard Time – one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Documents A valid passport and return ticket are required. US and Canadian citizens may use proof of citizenship. French nationals may visit for up to two weeks with a Carte Identite
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