World Factbook
Dominica
Commonwealth of Dominica
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: green with a centered cross of three equal bands in yellow, black, and white; in the center of the cross is a red disk with a Sisserou parrot surrounded by 10 five-pointed green stars edged in yellow meaning: the stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes); green symbolizes the island's lush vegetation; the tricolor cross represents the Christian Trinity; yellow stands for sunshine, the primary agricultural products (citrus and bananas), and the Carib people; black for the rich soil and the African heritage of most citizens; white for rivers, waterfalls, and the purity of aspirations; the red disc for social justice
Capital
name
Roseau
etymology
the name is French for "reed;" the first settlement was named after the river reeds that grew in the area
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
15 18 N, 61 24 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1967 (pre-independence); latest presented 25 July 1978, entered into force 3 November 1978
amendment process
proposed by the House of Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as fundamental rights and freedoms, the government structure, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by three fourths of the Assembly membership in the final reading of the amendment bill, approval by simple majority in a referendum, and assent of the president
Country name
etymology
the island was named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS for the day of the week on which he spotted it, Sunday ( Domingo in Spanish, dominica dies in Latin), 3 November 1493
conventional long form
Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form
Dominica
Independence
3 November 1978 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law based on the English model
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; the Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal
subordinate courts
Court of Summary Jurisdiction; magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
President Sylvanie BURTON (since 2 October 2023)
election results
2023: parliament elects Sylvanie BURTON (DLP) with 20 votes for and five against 2018: Charles A. SAVARIN (DLP) reelected president unopposed
head of government
Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)
most recent election date
27 September 2023
election/appointment process
president nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition party and elected by the House of Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
National color(s)
green, yellow, black, white, red
Political parties
Dominica Freedom Party or DFP Dominica Labor Party or DLP Dominica United Workers Party or UWP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
32 (21 directly elected; 9 appointed)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
House of Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/6/2022
expected date of next election
December 2027
percentage of women in chamber
40.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Dominica Labor Party (DLP) (19); Independents (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Isle of Beauty"
history
adopted 1967
lyrics/music
Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN
National symbol(s)
sisserou parrot, Carib wood flower
National coat of arms
the coat of arms was adopted on July 21, 1961, and features two sisserou parrots supporting a shield that is divided into four sections by a cross, a reference to the island’s discovery on a Sunday; the quadrants feature a palm tree, a banana tree, a frog that is native to the island, and a canoe on the Caribbean Sea; the golden lion symbolizes Dominica’s past colonial ties with the UK; below the shield is the national motto, which means "After God is the Earth"
Administrative divisions
10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 364-6791
chancery
3216 New Mexico Ave NW Washington, DC 20016
telephone
[1] (202) 364-6781
chief of mission
Ambassador Steve FERROL (since 15 September 2023)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
embdomdc@gmail.com
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, Commonwealth of Nations, ECCU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction