Dominica

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Dominica

Dominica is an island country in the Caribbean, with its capital Roseau on the west side of the island. The island is in the Lesser Antilles, part of the Windward Islands chain in the Caribbean Sea. Dominica covers 750 km2, and its highest point is the Morne Diablotins, at 1447 m. The nickname 'Nature Island of the Caribbean' is given to Dominica because of its natural environment. As the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, it is in fact still shaped by geothermal-volcanic activity, as shown by the world's second largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. It has lush mountain rainforests and provides a home to many rare species of plants, animals and birds. The critically endangered Sisserou's Parrot, also called the Imperial Amazon, is only found in Dominica, and native to the mountain forests. It is the national bird of the island and features on the national flag. A kindred species, the Jaco or Red-Necked Parrot, is also endemic to the Dominican. Dominica has 195 bird species, 4 snake species and 11 lizard species, and is the last major haven for the critically endangered Lesser Antillean Iguana. The coast of the island of Dominica is home to many cetacean species. Mainly one group of Sperm Whales lives in this area all year round. Other cetacean species often observed in the area are Spinner Dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins. Less frequently sighted animals are Killer Whales, False Killer Whales, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Pygmy Sperm Whales, Risso's Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Humpback Whales and Bryde's Whales.