Q 01/05

By what nickname is Dominica known for its lush, largely rainforested landscape?

A) Emerald Isle of the West

B) Spice Isle of the Antilles

C) Nature Island of the Caribbean

D) Isle of a Thousand Springs

Answer · why

C) Nature Island of the Caribbean

It is the youngest and most mountainous island in the Lesser Antilles and still volcanically active.

Q 02/05

What is the capital of Dominica?

A) Castries

B) Portsmouth

C) Roseau

D) Basseterre

Answer · why

C) Roseau

The French named it after the reeds, roseaux, that grew along the riverbanks; it lies on the sheltered western coast.

Q 03/05

Columbus named the island Dominica because he first sighted it on what?

A) His daughter's birthday

B) The feast of St Dominic

C) Christmas Day

D) A Sunday

Answer · why

D) A Sunday

The name abbreviates the Latin dies Dominica, 'day of the Lord'; the sighting came in November 1493 on his second voyage.

Q 04/05

Dominica's two nearest neighbours are overseas departments of which country?

A) The Netherlands

B) France

C) The United Kingdom

D) The United States

Answer · why

B) France

Guadeloupe lies to the northwest and Martinique to the south-southeast, both part of the European Union.

Q 05/05

Dominica became an independent republic in which year?

A) 1978

B) 1981

C) 1983

D) 1990

Answer · why

A) 1978

Independence day is 3 November, the anniversary of Columbus's sighting; Patrick John was the first prime minister.