Economy

The Dominican economy is dependent on both tourism and agriculture. Forty percent of Dominican workers are in the agricultural sector, and Dominica's primary agricultural exports include tobacco, bananas, vegetables, citrus, copra, coconut oil and essential oils such as bay oil. The country's industries, other than tourism, include soap, furniture, shoes and cement blocks. Dominica is further benefited by the presence of an offshore Devry owned medical school - Ross University, in the northern town of Portsmouth. Over 1,000 students mainly from USA and Canada live and study in Portsmouth.

The Dominican economy has high poverty (30%), high unemployment (23%) and a low per capita GDP (US$5,400). The Dominican economy has been hurt by problems in the banana industry. The entire economy suffers when weather conditions damage the banana crop, or when the price of bananas falls. The European Union has phased out preferred access of bananas to its markets, causing banana demand to fall. In response, the Dominican government privatised the banana industry.

Also, the government has attempted to diversify the economy and has lifted price controls in an attempt to improve the lagging economy. The government is also trying to develop tourism, especially ecotourism. The lack of a large international airport or sandy beaches limit opportunities for standard tourism, but the island's heavily rainforested landscape and beautifully preserved environment could lure those looking for unparalleled ecotourism experiences. Indeed, it is remarked that of all the islands of the Caribbean, Dominica is the only one Christopher Columbus might still recognise.

Agriculture

Bananas used to be the major economy on the island. However, between 1988 and 1999, banana production declined 63% with a 62% decline in export value.

Tourism

Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Dominica's tourism is underdeveloped. It does not have any world famous chains of hotels.

Dominica has a few famous tourist spots; they are Indian River in Portsmouth, Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Fall, Scott's Head (where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Caribbean Sea) and Boiling Lake (inside of Morne Trois Pitons National Park). This island country also has many excellent diving spots due to its unspoiled seabed.

In 2004, due to its unchanged natural beauty, Dominica was chosen to be one of the major filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Hampstead Beach, Indian River and Vielle Casse (situated on the island's northern tip), were among the few places which were selected for filming.