Dominica is part of the Windward Islands. The Windwards are made up of four main islands: Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These islands are not considered to be the heavy tourist attractions, as compared to their Caribbean neighbors, but this is a plus, as they are far enough off the beaten path to afford the adventurous traveler the pristine natural beauty this region has to offer.

Dominica has been inhabited for over five thousand years, with various native tribes calling the island home over the millennia. The original settlers, the Ortoroid people, came, went and were replaced by the Igneri in about 400 AD. They lived here peacefully for the next thousand years, until the aggressive Carib tribe made their way up from South America and took over the island in 1400. Christopher Columbus was the first European to find the island, and he named it Dominica because he arrived here on a Sunday, November 3, 1493. As a result, November 3 remains a national holiday here.

Dominica offers some of the most unique and breathtaking scenery in the world. The island only covers 290 square miles, measuring twenty-nine miles from north to south and sixteen miles from east to west. But the amount of scenery crammed on to this tiny island paradise is enough to take up the better part of a year, if only you had the time. Volcanic fissures form a perennially boiling lake, the largest such lake in the world. Rare breeds of bird, including Jacquot and Sisserou parrots, make their homes here. A local myth has it that there are 365 rivers in Dominica, one to explore each day of the year.

You will want to pack good shoes for your excursion to Dominica, as the best way to see everything there is to see here is by hiking. Scuba divers will also be in paradise here, as some beautiful coral reefs and rare fish can be seen in Dominica's mind-blowing crystal clear waters.

Most travelers spend the majority of their time in Roseau, Dominica's capital city, which is located along the southwest corner of the island. The rainforest is a little more inland, covering seventeen thousand acres in the southern part of Dominica.

English is widely spoken, as it is the official language of Dominica, but you'll be able to brush up on your French patois, if you are so inclined. The Creole influence is heavy here, in everything from crafts to local foods.