Dominica

Dominica is a small island nation in the eastern Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles, located between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Covering an area of about 751 square kilometres, it is one of the most rugged and mountainous islands in the region. Dominica has a relatively small population of approximately 70–75,000 people, with most residents living along the coast, as the steep interior is dominated by rainforests, rivers, and volcanic peaks. The island’s geography and humid tropical climate have played a major role in shaping its economy and settlement.

Before European contact, Dominica was inhabited by the Kalinago (Carib) people, who resisted colonisation for centuries. Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1493, naming it after the day of the week on which he saw it, but Spain made little effort to settle it. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Dominica became contested territory between France and Britain, largely because of its strategic location and fertile land. Although the French established early settlements, the island was formally ceded to Britain in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris. British colonial rule expanded plantation agriculture, relying on enslaved African labour, until emancipation in the 19th century. Dominica remained a British colony until it achieved independence in 1978.

Agriculture has historically been at the heart of Dominica’s economy and remains especially important in rural areas. The island’s rich volcanic soils and high rainfall support a wide range of crops. Bananas were for many years the dominant agricultural export and a major source of employment and income, particularly during the late 20th century. Alongside bananas, farmers grow coconuts, citrus fruits, plantains, root crops such as yams and dasheen, and various vegetables and spices. In recent decades, Dominica has focused on agricultural diversification, small-scale farming, and sustainable practices to reduce vulnerability to market changes and natural disasters. As a result, agriculture continues to play a central role not only in the economy, but also in the island’s cultural identity and resilience.

Two weeks after the hurricane, we visited Dominica in December 2017. The island was marked by significant storm damage almost everywhere. Houses were stripped of their roofs, trees were uprooted, and the coastlines were washed out and devastated. The people were traumatised, and many had lost everything.