Submitted by Jane Gosling on the 2016 winter session program in Dominica sponsored by the Department of Geography…
When you think of the Caribbean Islands, tropical beaches and all-inclusive resorts come to mind, but Dominica has a much different vibe. It is known as Nature Island as it is relatively untouched and has much less commercial tourism. Upon flying into the island and the initial drive from the airport to the hotel, my first impression was how the whole island is mountain peaks and small valleys. The communities are all located along the coast, in flatter regions, with some isolated homes built into the sides of the mountain. From our hike at Scott’s Head we were able to see the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and multiple communities sandwiched between mountain peaks in every direction. It is spectacular to see land untouched by humans and how the locals work with nature rather than against it.