Flag description:
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical
part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal
part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center
of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10
green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent
the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Economy Dominica
Economy - overview:
The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas,
and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and
international economic developments. Hurricane Luis devastated the
country's banana crop in 1995 after tropical storms wiped out a
quarter of the 1994 crop. The economy subsequently has been fueled
by increases in construction, soap production, and tourist arrivals.
Development of the tourism industry remains difficult however,
because of the rugged coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of
an international airport. Economic growth is sluggish, and
unemployment is greater than 20%. The government has been attempting
to develop an offshore financial sector in order to diversify the
island's production base.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $380 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:
30% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (2001 est.)