General Dominica, the nature island of the Caribbean, is a modern-day treasure of an undisturbed natural paradise that has hardly changed for thousands of years. Nowadays it’s a independent state within the British Commonwealth and has a population of approximately 71.500. About a third live in and around Roseau, which is the capital of Dominica. While the majority of the islanders are of African descent, about 3.000 native Caribs also reside on Dominica, most of them on a 3.700-acre reservation on the eastern side of the island. Dominica draws on a mix of cultures: there are as many French place names as English; African language, foods and customs mingle with European traditions as part of the island’s Creole culture; and the Caribs still carve dugout canoes, build houses on stilts and weave distinctive basketwork. English is the national language on the island, but a French-bases patois is also widely spoken.