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AREA GUIDES tHe LesseR AntILLes PARt II BY VICTORIA HEAD Dominica sits midway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The island's official name is the Commonwealth of Dominica, distin- guishing it from its northerly Caribbean sister, the Dominican Republic. Dominica is an arcadia of unspoiled nature. Tropical forest coats two thirds of the island, which nourishes 1,200 plant species. Rivers, lakes, streams, and waterfalls abound on this lovely para- dise, fed by its high annual rainfall. Adventurers and nature lovers will enjoy the island's eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sail- ing and fishing. The island is sparsely populated with around 70,000 people inhabiting its 289.5 sq. mi. A significant portion of the population lives in and around the cap- ital city, Roseau. Dominica's rich cul- ture comes from its mix of English, French and African. It is also home to the last remaining settlement of the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians. This wonderful blending of nations is evident in the unique food, music, dance, language, and hospitality of the Dominican People. The island's accommodations are as diverse as its natural environment. There are beach front villas, resorts perched in the center of the rainforest, mountain top cottages for hiking expe- ditions and riverside lodges which beck- on frequent swims in beautiful clean rivers. Comprised of five main islands, Guadeloupe is a unique blend of France and the tropics, well seasoned by African and South Asian culture. It offers visitors a Caribbean paradise with great beaches and lush tropical forests. Guadeloupe itself is divided into two islands united by a narrow mangrove channel. They are Grande Terre and Basse Terre; they look like a butterfly with its open wings. Grande Terre on the east is where most of the beaches are found. The terrain is gently hilly and many resorts abound on this island. Basse Terre on the other hand is mountainous and wrapped in lush vege- tation, rain forests and exotic flora and fauna. Here are located the Caribbean's highest waterfalls and the island's La Soufriere Volcano. Guadeloupe is dotted with old forts and colonial homes, while local markets burst with color and activity and are a great place to absorb local culture. Most properties are small and locally owned, but Sofitel and Club Med do operate "name brand" hotels on Guadeloupe. There are also some lovely beachfront hotels on Les Saintes, including the Bois Joli and Auberge des Petits Saints. Martinique, also know as The Isle of Flowers, Paris in the Tropics or The Rum Capital of the World, by any name remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world. It has beautiful beaches and a lush tropi- cal landscape. Martinique lies in the heart of the Caribbean Archipelago and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean lap its shores on the east and the Caribbean Sea is to the west. Martinique is the largest of all the windward islands, and to many, one of the most impressive. An absolute must-see for any Martinique traveler is The Anse Cafard Slave Memorial, situated on a hillside of Le Diamant. It is one of the most strik- ing, memorable points of interest on the island. The memorial is comprised of 20 white stone statues, situated in a triangle sloping down toward the sea. The mas- sive, eight-foot-tall statues are carved into boxy, impressionistic human shapes, shoulders hunched, heads bowed to the ocean. The story dates back to Martinique's long and horrific history of slavery. Traveling to Montserrat is a special CARIBBeAn ReGIOnAL Men taking time out at small resteraunt Young Dominica boy eating sugar cane Young boys help bring fishing boat ashore Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 100 Photo Credit: Dominican Tourism Board Photo Credit: Guadeloupe Tourism Board Photo Credit: Martinique Tourism Board