As well as being a major banana-producing island, Dominica is an ideal holiday destination for eco-tourists, offering long nature trails, scuba diving and whale watching. There are few hotels on the island and visitors are accommodated in local homes, a system that offers direct financial opportunities to its population of 75,000. Dominica gained its independence in 1978. To learn more about Dominica either visit www.visitdominica.com or www.dominica.dm.