98% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: 17.81 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate: 7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate: -20.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.6 years

male: 70.74 years

female: 76.61 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Dominican(s)

adjective: Dominican

Ethnic groups: black, Carib Amerindian

Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%,
Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%),
none 2%, other 6%

Languages: English (official), French patois

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 94%

male: 94%

female: 94% (1970 est.)

Dominica Government

Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica

conventional short form: Dominica

Government type: parliamentary democracy; republic within the
Commonwealth

Capital: Roseau

Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David,
Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark,
Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter

Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

Constitution: 3 November 1978

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Vernon Lordon SHAW
(since 6 October 1998)

head of government: Prime Minister Pierre CHARLES (since 1 October
2000); note - assumed post after death of Roosevelt DOUGLAS

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a
five-year term; election last held 6 October 1998 (next to be held
NA October 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vernon Lordon SHAW elected president; percent of
legislative vote - NA%

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9