The Commonwealth of Dominica, situated in the Lesser Antilles midway between Guadalupe to the north and Martinique to the south, has an area of 290 sq. mi. (751 sq. km.) and a population of 77,000. Capital: Roseau. ,Columbus discovered and named the island on Nov. 3, 1493. Spain neglected it and it was finally colonized by the French in 1632. The British drove the French from the island in 1756. Thereafter it changed hands between the French and British a dozen or more times before becoming permanently British in 1805. Throughout the greater part of its British history, Dominica was a presidency of the Leeward Islands. In 1940 its administration was transferred to the Windward Islands and it was established as a separate colony with considerable local autonomy.,, Rulers:,,, ,British,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 British West Indies Dollar = 4 Shillings 2 Pence,, ,5 British West Indies Dollars = 1 Pound 10 Pence,,