The government in Dominica is parliamentary democracy. The President of Dominica is Head of the State and the Prime Minister is Head of the Government. The President is elected for a 5 years term. The president appoints the prime minister. The prime minister is responsible for functioning of government with other cabinet ministers. The president has veto power. The government exercises the executive power. The government as well as house of assembly exercises the legislative power. Dominica is a member country of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dominica is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
People living in Dominica are mainly descendants of African slaves who brought to the island by colonial planters in the 18th century. Caribs people are living since pre Columbian period. Dominica records very low growth rate in population mainly because Dominican are migrated to the United Kingdom, France, Canada, United States and the Caribbean. About 80% population living in Dominica is catholic. Dominica has high proportion of centenarians; there are 22 centenarians out of the island's 70,000 inhabitants.
The Dominican economy largely depends on agriculture and tourism. Nearly 40% of Dominican labor works into farmlands. Dominica's primary agricultural exports include tobacco, bananas, vegetables, citrus, copra, coconut oil, and essential oils such as bay oil. The country's industries, other than tourism, include soap, furniture, cement blocks, and shoes. Devry owned medical school - Ross University in Portsmouth, also benefits Dominican economy. Over 1,000 students mainly from USA and Canada live and study in Portsmouth.
