Lying between the French islands of Guadaloupe and Martinique, Dominica, volcanic in origin and 29 miles long by 16 miles wide, is a emerald gem, incredibly beautiful with towering green mountains covered with dense tropical forests, deep valleys, 12 major waterfalls and countless streams with magnificent scenic views. Fine black sand beaches are the norm for this island.

For the more adventurous visitors, we would recommend treks into the interior to visit Boiling Lake, the world's largest volcanically heating lake, swim in the misty pool of Victoria Falls, and seize the opportunity to perhaps see 172 species of birds, including two endangered species of parrot.

Dominica offers the opportunity to go whale watching at Scotts Head where the waters plunge to 6,000 feet and seven species of whales and eleven types of dolphins can be seen giving credence to Dominica's claim to be the leading whale watching site in the Caribbean.

There are numerous site for snorkelling and scuba diving with dramatic dropoffs, canyons, caves, volcanically formed shelves, wrecks, and the famous underwater hot springs called Champagne where divers can swim through a cascade of warm bubbles.

For the sports fishermen, yellowfin tuna, barracuda and marlin are the major attractions.

No visit to Dominica is complete without a trip to the 3,700 beautiful acres of the Carib Territory, home to the descendants of the original inhabitants of the island, and where Carib handicrafts can be purchased.

Known as the "Nature Island", Dominica's natural wonders and rich cultural heritage make it an exceptional ecotourism destination. The Morne Trois Pitons National Park was the firstUNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean.