Morne Trois Pitons National
Park (1997)
Dominica
Luxuriant natural tropical forest blends with scenic volcanic features of great scientific interest in this national park centred on the 1,342-m-high volcano known as Morne Trois Pitons. With its precipitous slopes and deeply incised valleys, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes, a 'boiling lake' and five volcanoes, located on the park's nearly 7,000 ha, together with the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles, Morne Trois Pitons National Park presents a rare combination of natural features of World Heritage value.
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Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Arawak people inhabited Dominica. However, the Carib people displaced them. Dominica was sighted and named by Italian Spanish navigator Christopher Columbus on November 3, 1493. The Carib people successfully resisted early European attempts at colonization.
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In 1632 the French gained a foothold on the island, and they retained parts of it until 1763, when Britain gained control of the island under the Treaty of Paris.
Under British rule, Dominica became part of the Leeward Islands dependency in 1833 and was attached to the Windward Islands group in 1940. In 1967 it became an internally self-governing state associated with Britain. The capital of Dominica is Roseau.
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Dominica attained full independence on November 3, 1978, and subsequently joined the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. The republic’s first prime minister was Patrick R. John. In 1979 a severe hurricane struck the island nation. In 1980 Mary Eugenia Charles became prime minister of Dominica; she was the first female prime minister in the Caribbean. She remained in office until 1995. In 1983 Dominica, as a member of the Organization of East Caribbean States, participated in the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada. At the turn of the 21st century the country worked to diversify its economy and expand its tourism industry.
![Dominica 1991. Columbus Issue. Blue and Yellow Macaw [Ara Ararauna]](dominica1991-ColumbusIssue01-sheet.jpg) |
![Dominica 1991. Columbus Issue. Scarlet Macaw [Ara Macao].](dominica1991-ColumbusIssue02-sheet.jpg) |
In its justification for inscription the UNESCO states that the Morne Trois Pitons National Park is noted for its diverse flora with endemic species of vascular plants, its volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls, illustrating ongoing geo-morphological processes with high scenic value.
Sources and links:
There are no other World Heritage Sites in Dominica. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Dominica section, for further information about this property.
Revised 03 aug 2006 |
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