one of the Leeward group of islands in the West Indies, belonging to Britain, and lying between the French islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe, 24 miles N. of the former, and about the same distance S. of the latter. Dominica was so named by Columbus from his having discovered it on a Sunday (in 1493). It was ceded to England by the peace of Paris in 1763, but was taken by the French in 1778. At the peace of 1783 it was restored to England, in whose possession it has since remained. Dominica is 29 miles in length from N. to S., and 16 in breadth, and has an area of about 186,436 acres. The principal town, Roseau, situated on the S.W. side of the island, is in Lat. 15.19. N., Long. 61.28. W. The surface is generally rugged and mountainous, interspersed with fertile and well-watered valleys. The highest point is 5314 feet above the level of the sea. The origin of this island is volcanic, and sulphur and other volcanic products are abundant. The soil is light and well adapted for the growth of coffee. The hills are covered with valuable timber trees of the kinds commonly found in the West Indies. Game is abundant, and the fisheries on the coast are very productive. The principal productions are sugar, molasses, rum, coffee, cocoa, and oranges. The cultivation of cotton has lately been introduced to a small extent, and has been found to answer very well, particularly on land near the sea coast. The principal staple products exported in the years ending 5th January 1852 and 5th January 1853 were as follows:

| Year | Sugar | Rum | Molasses | Coffee | Cotton | |------|-------|-----|----------|--------|--------| | 1852 | 62,168 cts. | 30,927 galls. | 95,660 lbs. | 55,653 lbs. | 33,884 lbs. | | | | | | | | | 1853 | 65,788 cts. | 35,794 galls. | 81,918 lbs. | 67,594 lbs. | 69,296 lbs. |

The value of exports and imports, and the revenue for the years 1849, 1850, and 1851, were as follows:

| Year | Imports | Exports | Revenue | |------|---------|---------|---------| | 1849 | £50,616 | £48,070 | £8,913 | | 1850 | £57,656 | £58,265 | £10,275 | | 1851 | £71,828 | £62,527 | £12,901 |

The population in 1844 was 22,200, of whom 11,604 were females. There are places of worship for Episcopalians, Methodists, and Roman Catholics. A board of education has recently been established. There are three free schools in Roseau, and seven in other parts of the island, having in all (1852) 1190 pupils. The principal harbours are Roseau and Prince Rupert's Bay.