The approximately 68 km² “Mountain with Three Peaks” National Park on the Caribbean island of Dominica includes an active volcanic area with five volcanoes as well as numerous mud holes and fumaroles. The main attraction is the Boiling Lake with around 90 ° C hot water.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park: facts

Official title:	Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Natural monument:	68.57 km² declared a national park “mountain with three peaks” since 1975, humid tropical climate with more than 7,600 mm of precipitation per year; volcanic terrain with 5 volcanoes, hot springs, mud holes and fumaroles like in the Valley of Desolation (Grand Soufrière); other formations: the Boiling Lake, the second largest of its kind in the world, Middleham Falls, Morne Macaque (1,221 m) and Stinking Hole as well as the Boeri Lake, which is located in an extinct volcano, the second largest freshwater lake on Dominica
Continent:	America
Country:	Dominica
Location:	Morne Trois Pitons, east of Roseau
Appointment:	1997
Meaning:	an active volcanic terrain and tropical rainforest area in the Lesser Antilles
Flora and fauna:	Forms of vegetation including cloud forests over 914 m; Mountain rainforest over 610 m, lowland rainforest below 460 m; 7 mammal species such as golden agutis and the nocturnal manicou, 50 bird species such as the endangered imperial parrot, 12 reptile and amphibian species such as boa constrictor

Competition of the elements on Sunday Island

The Carib Indians were able to delay, but ultimately not prevent, the French and later the British occupation of the Caribbean island of Dominica around five centuries ago. The mountainous interior served as a refuge for the indigenous people of the small island. Even after the French colonization and during the decades of power struggles between the French and the British, escaped slaves used the hard-to-reach terrain as a shelter in order to organize resistance against their colonial masters from its protection.

How much more peaceful is Dominica, the “Sunday Island”, today, when the earth is boiling and steaming. Huge masses of water tumble down meter-high waterfalls; Water collects in crater lakes to form seemingly inexhaustible reservoirs and rises from the damp ground as the finest water droplets in a thick fog. The fascinating interplay of the elements of life increases in the encounter with the element fire to bizarre forms. Due to the still active volcanism of the island, foul-smelling sulfur fumes escape from the ground, and only a few very resistant plants survive. A barren and desolate landscape, aptly referred to as the “Valley of Desolation”, defines a part of the national park. Just a few meters away another natural spectacle, a battle between fire and water: a circular crater lake opens up in the hostile landscape, from the center of which gigantic bubbles rise. Dense water vapor obscures the view of the opposite, bare crater wall of the so-called Boiling Lake.

With this contradiction prevailing in the national park, the power of life still dominates. The warm, humid air is full of exotic smells and strange, fascinating noises. Due to the island’s relative remoteness, animal and plant species were created that only exist on Dominica. One of the most beautiful is the green-yellow glowing Imperial Parrot, a species of parrot that has been declared the island’s national bird and is called “Sisserou” in Dominica. The red-throated amazon, a parrot species that also only occurs on Dominica, is very rare. Glittering hummingbirds zigzag around. Over the monotonous whistling of the tree frog you can hear the unique song of a red-bellied thrush, which the Dominicans affectionately call “prompter Montagne”. The other animal species are not inferior to this diversity. Almost three dozen different types of butterflies flutter around the tropical flora, while green iguanas, relics of prehistoric times, warm themselves motionless in the sun. With the very graphic name “Tête-à-chien” – “dog’s head” – the people of Dominica refer to the giant snake Boa constrictor, one of a total of five non-poisonous snake species on the island. The trapaut, a large type of frog, also known as “mountain chicken”, is considered a delicacy in the local saucepan. one of five non-poisonous snake species on the island. The trapaut, a large type of frog, also known as “mountain chicken”, is considered a delicacy in the local saucepan. one of five non-poisonous snake species on the island. The trapaut, a large type of frog, also known as “mountain chicken”, is considered a delicacy in the local saucepan.

According to softwareleverage, the common habitat of this potpourri of life is the no less diverse rainforest. This last refuge of primeval vegetation produces dense, green vegetation and always amazes with new shapes and colors. Tillandsias, bromeliads and orchids thrive on lush green teak and mahogany trees up to 60 meters high. In the shade of the trees there is also dense green vegetation: ferns, mosses and tropical flowers in brilliantly bright colors vie for living space and sun. Their rivalry reveals the true character of this ostensibly peaceful world. However, while their struggle for life serves to preserve them, human intervention threatens the balance of this balanced ecosystem.