Portsmouth is the former capital and, with 2,977 inhabitants, the second largest town of Dominica. It lies on the Indian River in the north of the island, part of the Saint John Parish. Cabrits National Park is located on a peninsula to the north of town. Portsmouth has its own sea port. In 1760, initially, it was the capital of Dominica, but after malaria broke out there in the same year, Roseau was chosen instead. The Ross University School of Medicine, part of DeVry University, which has over 1,000 students mainly from the United States and Canada, is located in Portsmouth. The presence is a major economic resource for the local people. Inside the school, there is a Subway restaurant, which is one of three on the island. There are also reports of a Kentucky Fried Chicken being recently opened. A farmer's market runs Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the city. The area is the birth place of local politician Roosevelt Douglas.

Canefield is a community located on the west coast of Dominica. The largest settlement in St. Paul Parish, it has a population of 2,803. It is home to an industrial estate, as well as the island's second airport. Neighbouring locales include Cochrane, Checkhall, Massacre and Fond Colé.

Marigot is the largest settlement of Saint Andrew Parish in northeastern Dominica. The village has a population of 2,676 people, and is home to a Fisheries Complex as well as the island's main airport. It is the birthplace of local politician Edison James, and cricket umpire Billy Doctrove.

Grand Bay known officially as Berekua, is a village in the south of Dominica. It has a population of 2,288, and is the largest settlement in St. Patrick Parish. Grand Bay, also called South City, the cultural capital of Dominica, is a vibrant community located along the Atlantic ocean coast in the south-east of Dominica. To its immediate south across the sea is the island of Martinique. The village is surrounded by several scenic mountain ranges including Bois Den to the south, Palmiste to the west, Morne Plat Pays to the north-west, Morne Anglais and Morne Watt to the north, Foundland range to the north east and east. Nestled along the slopes of these mountains are the villages of Bellevue, Pichelin, Montine, Tete Morne, Grand Coulibrie, Dubique and Stowe. The main community of Grand Bay is characterized by its long narrow street called Lallay, on both sides of which the largest population resides. In addition there is Mabouchay, Back Street, Hagley, Wavin Banan, Powell and Beikua, making up the older residential area. The economy is based manily on agriculture with the production of a variety of root crops, bananas, other fruits and vegetables for the local and overseas market. There is a small furniture manufacturing industry and many small shops and snacketes. Some people engage in the production of craft items for tourists and locals alike and recently, a small cottage soap making plant was established at Geneva.