Pierre Charles
Prime Minister

(pronounced "pea-AIR SHARLL")

"While I am hopeful and indeed optimistic, I am also chastened to the realities of the economic downturn being experienced not only here in Dominica, but across the region and the world."

The Commonwealth Dominica is a Caribbean island about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. Its total area of 754 sq km (291 sq mi) consists of one island a bit larger than four times the size of Washington, D.C. Roseau is the capital city. The population, estimated at 70,786 in 2001, is of African and Carib Amerindian descent and is primarily Roman Catholic (73%). English is the official language, though many use a French patois. The per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at US$3,700 in 2001, down from US$4,000 in 2000. The unit of currency is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$). The...