Roseau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roseau
City
Top: Roseau skyline; Middle: Cathedral of Our Lady of Fair Haven of Roseau, Dominica Museum; Bottom: Dominica Parliament House, Dominica Botanical Gardens
Nickname(s):  Town
Roseau Location in Dominica
Country	Dominica
Parish	Saint George
Government
• Type	Local government: Roseau City Council established 1890s
Area
• Total	2.1 sq mi (5.4 km2)
Elevation	141 ft (43 m)
Population  (2011)
• Total	14,725
• Density	7,060/sq mi (2,727/km2)
Time zone	UTC–4 (AST)
Area code(s)	+1 767

Roseau (which is Wozo in Dominican Creole) is the capital city of Dominica. It is also the largest city on the island. In 2011, about 14,725 people lived there.

Roseau is a small city. It is located in the Saint George area. The city is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River, and a hill called Morne Bruce. It was built where an old village of the Island Carib people, called Sairi, used to be. Roseau is the oldest and most important city in Dominica.

The city is on the west side of Dominica, which is the leeward coast. It has a mix of modern buildings and older French colonial styles.

Roseau is very important for trade in Dominica. Many goods are sent from here to other countries. These include bananas, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruits, oranges, and cocoa. Services like tourism and education are also a big part of the city's economy. There are several universities in Dominica, including Ross University and All Saints University.

History of Roseau

Roseau from above

The city of Roseau was built on land formed by the Roseau River. Hundreds of years ago, the river moved across the area. This created a flat piece of land called an alluvial fan. About 2,000 years ago, Amerindians came to the islands. They settled in this area because of the nearby river.

When Europeans arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, the French started a small settlement. They named the place after the river reeds they found there. The French word for these reeds is "roseau." They planned the city like towns in France. Streets spread out from a central point, which is now the Old Market.

The French and British often fought over the area. In 1699, the French built a fort to protect Roseau. The British later built Fort Young in 1770. In 1778, the French took over Dominica, including Fort Young and Roseau. But in 1784, Dominica went back to British control. This happened because of the Treaty of Paris.

By the late 1700s and early 1800s, the British made new plans for the city. They added forts and government buildings. They also created a grid system for streets. New areas like Potter's Ville and Newtown were added. Later, Goodwill and Bath Estate were built. Today, other areas like Stock Farm and Castle Comfort are also part of the Roseau area.

You can still see French influences in Roseau's architecture. The winding streets around the Old Market Plaza show this. British influences are also clear in the style of some buildings and street names.

Climate and Beautiful Scenery

Roseau's Bay Front area

Roseau is surrounded by amazing natural beauty. Nearby, you can find the Boiling Lake, which is about 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) east. It is in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. There are also many waterfalls, hot springs, and beautiful flat areas called plateaus.

From Morne Bruce, a hill overlooking the city, you can see most of downtown Roseau. You can also see the Woodbridge Bay deepwater port. The Dominica Botanical Gardens are at the base of Morne Bruce. The Caribbean Sea looks amazing from here, especially when large cruise ships are in port.

Roseau has a tropical monsoon climate. This means temperatures stay warm all year. High temperatures are usually between 28 and 31°C (82 and 88°F). Low temperatures are between 19 and 23°C (66 and 73°F). It rains often throughout the year. Roseau gets about 1800 mm (71 inches) of rain each year. The driest time is from February to April, but it still rains a bit during these months.

City Architecture

The center of Roseau has many houses and modern concrete buildings packed closely together. There isn't much green space in the city itself. Many old courtyards are now used for offices. However, the city is surrounded by nature. The sea and the river provide water views. The Botanical gardens and the Government House gardens add green areas. These natural features are special for a Caribbean capital.

The streets in central Roseau are laid out in an unusual way. It can be easy for visitors to get lost. The main area has about 80 blocks in a small space. This makes the blocks smaller than in other Caribbean capitals.

Roseau has great examples of West Indian architecture. You can see French Colonial styles and local building types. Many French-style buildings are along King George V Street. There are also large colonial houses and government buildings that show English influence.

Roseau's French Quarter

The churches in Roseau are also beautiful. They mix European styles with local Caribbean touches. The Roman Catholic Cathedral has a Gothic and Romanesque look. The Anglican Church on Victoria Street is built in the Georgian style.

Life in the City

Most people who work in central Roseau live in the suburbs. They travel into the city every day. Cars fill the streets, which were originally made for people to walk and gather. Older people say that the streets were once just open spaces between buildings. Today, the streets of Roseau are still used for more than just driving. People use them as gardens, places to play, and spots to meet friends.

Street scene in Roseau

The Botanical Gardens, located near the city center, are a popular place for children to play.

Sports and Fun Activities

Roseau offers many ways to have fun and be active. The Botanical Gardens are a peaceful place for people to relax. They are also used for local cricket games and sports training. Football (soccer) is very popular. There are football fields in areas like Newtown, Potters Ville, and Bath Estate. There is also a large sports stadium called Windsor Park.

Windsor Park

Sports Facilities

Roseau has special places for sports. There are private tennis courts on High Street. Many high schools have netball and basketball courts. The community also has facilities in Goodwill. A special stadium for netball and basketball is at Stockfarm, near the Dominica State College.

In 2007, Windsor Park stadium was finished. It is a cricket stadium and also the home field for the Dominica national football team. China's government helped build it with a donation of EC$33 million.

It's also common to see people playing cricket or football on streets, sidewalks, or beaches. Other popular sports include netball, basketball, and rounders.

Places to Stay and Services

Roseau has several places to stay, but no big international hotel chains. The most famous hotel is the Fort Young Hotel. There are also many smaller, family-owned hotels in and around the city.

The national radio station, Dominica Broadcasting Corporation, is in Roseau. There are also two private radio stations.

Transportation Around Roseau

Roseau is the most important town in Dominica. It is the center for all business. Because of this, it is a key point for all roads on the island. It connects traffic going north, east, and south.

Roseau is served by Canefield Airport. This is a small airport nearby for flights to other islands. The larger Douglas–Charles Airport is further north. You can also take a ferry from Roseau. Ferries go to nearby islands like Guadeloupe to the north, and Martinique and St. Lucia to the south.

There are no train or subway systems in Roseau.

Education in Roseau

Roseau has always been an important place for education in Dominica. The city has six secondary schools and eight primary schools. There is also a community college called the Dominica State College. Roseau is home to two private medical schools, All Saints School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine. There is also a private university, Western Orthodox University.

Embassies and Consulates

Several countries have embassies in Roseau. These include the embassies of Brazil, China, Cuba, and Venezuela. There are also a few other consulates in the city.

Famous People from Roseau

• Jean Rhys, a famous writer and novelist from Dominica, was born in Roseau in 1890.
• Garth Joseph, an NBA basketball player, was born here in 1973.
• Dame Mary Eugenia Charles was a former prime minister. She was the first woman prime minister in the Caribbean.
• Clarissa Burton Cumbo (1903–1988), an arts supporter from New York, was born in Roseau.
• Gordon Henderson, from the band Exile One, is from Roseau.
• Henry Wilcoxon, a film actor, was born in Roseau in 1905.
• Prince Ital Joe, a musician, was born in Roseau in 1963.
• Alwin Bully, a cultural administrator, playwright, actor, and artist, was born and died in Roseau.

Images for kids

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  A craft vendor in Roseau

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  Roseau Cathedral

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  Roseau in the morning

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  Roseau in the morning