Facts About Roseau |
|---|
| Country | Dominica |
| State | Saint George |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Area | 56.1 km² |
| Population | 16582 |
| Lat Long Coordinates | 15.301389°N 61.388333°W |
| Time Zone | UTC-4 |
| area Code | 767 |
| Language | English, French |
| Major Religion | Christian |
| Point of interest | Morne Watt, The Dominica Museum, Boiling Lake |
About city :
The compact urban settlement of Roseau is the capital of Dominica located in the Caribbean between two French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. The region where the city stands was originally settled by Amerindians ( native Americans of the United States). When the Europeans arrived in 16th and 17th century, the French set up a small settlement here and named it Roseau after a type of river reeds that grow here. Later, there were a number of conflicts between the French and the British. By the early 19th century, the British had become firmly established here, but the French influence can still be seen clearly in the planning and architecture of the city. Roseau is a compact, noisy and vibrant city with an approximate population of 16,500 (2007).
Geography :
The city of Roseau stands on an alluvial fan ( fan-shaped sediment deposits) that has been formed a thousand years ago by the River Roseau which forms the boundary of the city. It is also a natural harbor and bound by the Caribbean Sea on the other side. The city has an average elevation of 141 ft. The land rises towards the highland of Morne Bruce which offers a panoramic view of the city.
It has a tropical rainforest climate where high temperature is recorded throughout the year. Rainfall is seen all around the year though the months February to April are relatively dry. Hurricanes are not unknown in the region.
How to reach (transport) :
Roseau is a popular tourist destination and you can reach it easily by several means. The Melville Hall Airport is the main airport of Dominica, located about 38 miles from Roseau while there is the Canefield Airport, located only 3 miles to the southwest of the city. Regular connections exist with several other Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico, though direct flights from Europe or USA are rare.
The most common way to reach Roseau is by boat. A number of pleasure boats and cruise ships dock at the Cruise Ship Berth located at the Bay front in Roseau or at Woodbridge Bay located about 1 mile from the city. The ferry terminal of Roseau offers regular passage to neighboring Caribbean islands.
When to visit :
The best time to visit Roseau is from November to April. Though the city has warm and wet climate with rainfall throughout the year, it is comparatively pleasant during this time with less rainfall.
Fairs and Festivals :
The Creole culture of the island as well as diverse European influences is seen in the daily life of the people of Roseau.
Several festivals are celebrated in Roseau. These are :
- As in the case of almost every Caribbean island, Carnival is one of the most important and colorful festivals celebrated all over Dominica. It is held during the weeks preceding Lent in January or early February. The festival opens with a colorful parade in Roseau. Parades and pageants are held throughout the island. The Mini Carnival occurs in Roseau. Thousands of Dominicans, dressed in colorful costumes take part in the parades held in the city.
- Another important event is the World Creole music festival which takes place over three days in October. It celebrates the special heritage of Creole music.
- In addition, Independence Day is celebrated in November. Traditional dress is worn and parades are taken out.
- The Dive fest is a major festival celebrated in July. It takes place in several locations including Roseau. Beginner and advanced diving, scuba, underwater photography competition, whale watching and canoe race are the highlights of the event.
Points of interest (places to visit) :
Explore the colorful streets of Roseau with its mish mash of colonial architecture and its bustling markets. Some of the important landmarks of the city are:
- The French Quarter with its beautiful wooden buildings with balconies is the most historic part of the city and a beautiful place to relax.
- You can hike up the Morne Bruce to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the azure blue waters of the Caribbean.
- The Roseau museum has a detailed collection showing the history and cultural heritage of Dominica.
- The Roseau cathedral is a major landmark and is constructed of black stone in the Gothic style.
- The Roseau Botanical garden is spread over 40 acres and contains a beautiful collection of orchids, bottle palms and Carib wood trees.
- The Champagne beach near Roseau is a geologic formation which offers bubbly waters. Snorkeling is popular here.
Accommodation :
A comfortable place to stay is indispensible for a memorable holiday and Roseau does not disappoint in this regard. Silks, Pagua Bay and Rosalie Bay are good resort hotels while Rejens and Secret Bay offer four star accommodations. Champs, Portsmouth Beach and Pagua Bay House offer three star facilities. If you are looking for budget accommodation, you can check out Tamarind Tree or the Fort Young hotel.