Dominica is a beautiful Caribbean island nation known for its lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, volcanoes, and stunning waterfalls. Though small in size, Dominica has a rich culture and history. Let’s explore some brain teasers and fun facts about this island through 48 riddles with accompanying answers!
Geography
Riddle 1
I’m an island in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, south of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Christopher Columbus was the first European to set sight on me in 1493. What island am I?
Answer:
Dominica
Riddle 2
I’m a boiling lake situated in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica. I’m noted for being the second largest boiling lake in the world. What am I?
Answer:
Boiling Lake
Riddle 3
I’m a potentially active complex stratovolcano located on the island of Dominica. I’m the highest mountain in Dominica and rise to 4,747 feet. What volcano am I?
Answer:
Morne Diablotins
Riddle 4
I’m a famous waterfall located within the Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica. At approximately 800 feet high, I’m said to be the tallest waterfall in Dominica. What am I?
Answer:
Middleham Falls
History
Riddle 5
I’m originally an indigenous island Carib nation that inhabited Dominica for thousands of years before European contact. Today, I have some 3,000 people living on a reservation on the Atlantic coast of Dominica. Who am I?
Answer:
The Kalinago
Riddle 6
I’m a revolt in 1763 led by Caesar, the chief of the Kalinago people of Dominica at the time. I was caused by the encroachment of French settlers on native lands. What was I called?
Answer:
Caesar’s Rebellion
Riddle 7
I was a British administrator who became governor of Dominica in 1813. I oversaw the abolition of slavery in the colony in 1834. Who am I?
Answer:
Sir William Colebrooke
Culture
Riddle 8
I’m a traditional dance of Dominica accompanied by call-and-response singing and complex, rhythmic drumming. Who am I?
Answer:
Cariso
Riddle 9
I’m a Creole genre of music from Dominica that blends African rhythms and European folk dance music like mazurkas and quadrilles. Often played during Carnival season, what am I called?
Answer:
Bouyon music
Riddle 10
I’m the national dress of Dominica, worn by women during cultural celebrations. I consist of a full, colorful skirt along with a matching blouse called a chemise. What am I?
Answer:
Madras
Wildlife
Riddle 11
I’m an endangered parrot native to Dominica’s rainforests. With my bright green plumage and red bib, I’m the island’s national bird. What kind of parrot am I?
Answer:
Sisserou parrot
Riddle 12
I’m one of the world’s largest species of gecko, measuring up to 13 inches. Found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica, I’m considered critically endangered. What is my name?
Answer:
Crested giant gecko
Riddle 13
We are small, tree-dwelling frogs native to the montane rainforests of Dominica. Though threatened by habitat loss, our unique breeding behavior still attracts scientists to study us. Who are we?
Answer:
Whistling frogs
Landmarks
Riddle 14
Built in the Victorian-era style, I’m an iconic Catholic church located in Roseau, Dominica. My prominent two steeples overlook the nearby Caribbean Sea. What church am I?
Answer:
Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral
Riddle 15
I’m a hot spring and spa near the town of Laudat located within Dominica’s rainforest-covered volcanic terrain. What am I called?
Answer:
Screw’s Sulphur Spa
Riddle 16
Located south of Roseau, I’m a picturesque black sand beach framed by palm trees and lush greenery. Often visited by egg-laying leatherback turtles, what beach am I?
Answer:
Mero Beach
Economy
Riddle 17
I’m a vital industry in Dominica involving harnessing geothermal energy resources to generate electricity. Plans are underway to make me Dominica’s largest source of electricity. What industry am I?
Answer:
Geothermal energy development
Riddle 18
Known as “Nature Isle of the Caribbean”, Dominica’s economy relies heavily on me for revenue. By promoting eco-tourism, I help support local communities. What am I?
Answer:
Ecotourism industry
Food
Riddle 19
A popular breakfast meal in Dominica, I’m made from salty codfish combined with boiled green bananas, eggs, onions, tomatoes, garlic and spices. What am I called?
Answer:
Saltfish and bakes
Riddle 20
I’m Dominica’s national dish consisting of an assortment of root vegetables like yam, dasheen leaves, onions, spices and coconut milk. Slowly simmered in broth, I’m a staple at Sunday lunches and holiday feasts. What dish am I?
Answer:
Callaloo soup
Language
Riddle 21
Along with standard English, I’m one of the official languages spoken in Dominica. Brought over by French colonists in the 18th century, I’m a French-based Creole language still used today. What language am I?
Answer:
Dominican Creole French
Towns and Cities
Riddle 22
I’m the bustling capital and largest city in Dominica located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. Home to major harbors, historical sites, shops and restaurants, what city am I?
Answer:
Roseau
Riddle 23
Nestled within Dominica’s lush mountains and rainforests, I’m known as the “Nature Island’s Garden City” famous for my beautiful gardens, waterfalls, and hot springs. What town am I?
Answer:
Laudat
Miscellaneous
Riddle 24
Given for outstanding contributions to Dominica, I’m the highest national award in the country. First introduced in 1978, who or what am I named after?
Answer:
The Dominica Award of Honour is named after Dominica’s first Prime Minister Patrick Rolland John
Riddle 25
With stripes resembling flames, I was the inspiration behind Dominica’s Creole nickname “Isle of Flames.” Worn as a symbol of freedom and independence, what item of clothing am I?
Answer:
The Dominica national flag
Riddle 26
Seen on both the national flag and coat of arms, I’m a national symbol of Dominica symbolizing strength and nobility. With brilliant red plumage and a forward-curving crest, what kind of tropical bird am I?
Answer:
The Sisserou parrot
Riddle 27
I’m the Independence Day of Dominica, commemorating the island gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. Celebrated annually on November 3rd, fireworks, parades and street parties are often part of me. What holiday am I?
Answer:
Independence Day
Riddle 28
With expertise in herbal medicine and bush teas, people on Dominica often come to me for treatment, especially in remote areas. Passing down knowledge over generations, who am I?
Answer:
A bush doctor
Riddle 29
Derived from the French word for Sunday, I’m the name given to a category of traditional Dominican folk music, typically featuring accordion, banjo, bass guitar and percussion instruments. What type of music am I?
Answer:
Cadence-lypso
Riddle 30
I’m the popular sport played by children in Dominica where two teams try to hit a small ring with a stick to score goals. What fast-paced game am I?
Answer:
Road tennis
Geography
Riddle 31
Surrounded by rainforest, I’m a sulfur-rich geothermal lake located within Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Known for my eerie gray hue and steaming hot waters, what lake am I?
Answer:
Boeri Lake
Riddle 32
Locally referred to as “the mouth of hell”, I’m an intensely active fumarole located in a steep gorge close to the Boiling Lake in Morne Trois Pitons National Park. What is my name?
Answer:
Valley of Desolation
Riddle 33
Named after an early colonist family, I’m Dominica’s longest river located in the Saint Paul Parish. Starting high in Morne Diablotins, I run over 50 miles before reaching the Caribbean Sea on Dominica’s east coast. What river am I?
Answer:
Layou River
Plants and Agriculture
Riddle 34
Grown on small plots within Dominica’s mountains, I’m a premium gourmet coffee prized for my rich taste and full body. With hints of chocolate and spice, what variety of coffee bean am I?
Answer:
Dominica gourmet coffee beans
Riddle 35
A vital crop grown across Dominica, I’m used to produce bay oil, a popular ingredient in cosmetics and perfumes around the world. With shiny green leaves and a distinctive scent when crushed, what bush am I?
Answer:
Bay leaf bush
Riddle 36
Brought by French immigrants in the 19th century, I’m now Dominica’s main banana cultivar grown on large plantations for export. Known for being more resilient than the Cavendish, what type of banana am I?
Answer:
The Lacatan banana
Infrastructure
Riddle 37
I’m the main airport on Dominica located near the capital city of Roseau. With flights to nearby Caribbean islands and North America, what is my name?
Answer:
Douglas–Charles Airport
Riddle 38
Opened in 2015 to boost cruise tourism, I’m Dominica’s first docking facility designed specifically for ocean liners and mega yachts. Situated in Roseau close to shops and restaurants, what am I called?
Answer:
The Dominica Cruise Terminal
Landmarks
Riddle 39
Nestled on over 50 acres near Colihaut, I’m Dominica’s premier botanical gardens featuring orchids, birdlife, a zoo, and indigenous Rastafari village. What gardens am I?
Answer:
Papillote Tropical Gardens
Riddle 40
Built in the 1880s under British rule, I once served as army barracks and a wartime prison before becoming an interactive cultural museum in Roseau. What historic stone building am I?
Answer:
The Dominica Museum
Culture
Riddle 41
I’m a traditional festive occasion celebrated by the indigenous Kalinago people in Dominica. Marked by dance, customs and special foods, I give thanks for a bountiful cassava crop and take place in late May/early June. What celebration am I?
Answer:
Kalinago Barana Autê
Riddle 42
One of the biggest cultural events in Dominica, I’m a two-day festival showcasing the music, costumes, food and traditions of Afro-Caribbean culture on the island. When am I celebrated each year?
Answer:
The Creole Festival is celebrated on the last weekend of October.
Wildlife
Riddle 43
I’m a species of small tree frog native to Dominica’s montane rainforests. Capable of surviving in cold climates by producing an “anti-freeze” in my body tissues, what’s my name?
Answer:
The lesser Antillean frog
Riddle 44
I’m an exotic freshwater fish introduced to Dominica’s rivers in the 1920s from South America. Known for leaping out of waterfalls to climb steep, rocky channels, what adventurous fish am I?
Answer:
Tilapia
Miscellaneous
Riddle 45
Passed in 1978 when Dominica became an independent republic, I’m the supreme law governing the island nation. Covering topics like human rights, elections and governmental structure, what document am I?
Answer:
The Constitution of Dominica
Riddle 46
Commemorating a past slave rebellion, I’m a public holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October in Dominica. What day am I?
Answer:
Patties Day
Riddle 47
With white sands and palm trees framing the Caribbean Sea, I’m considered Dominica’s most picturesque beach located near the village of Toucari. What beach am I?
Answer:
Champagne Beach
Riddle 48
Seen on Dominica’s national coat of arms, I’m a red hibiscus flower representing one of the island’s national symbols. With cultural ties to native Carib traditions, what variety of tropical flower am I?
Answer:
The Madagascar rouge hibiscus
Conclusion
From awe-inspiring volcanoes and euphoric waterfalls to lush rainforests and vibrant Creole culture, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica has no shortage of mysteries to uncover! As seen through these 48 riddles and answers, everything from Dominica’s intriguing wildlife and landmarks to its tumultuous history and economy offers travelers something unique to discover. Whether you’re daring enough to swim in a boiling lake or want to lounge on a secluded black sand beach, the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean” promises amazing adventures around every corner!
