Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer, encountered the island of Dominica during his second voyage to the Americas. As he navigated the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, Columbus spotted the island on November 3, 1493. Dominica, overlooked by the towering peaks of the rainforest, presented a striking contrast to the flatter islands nearby, which were more commonly known. The green mountainous terrain and the island's pristine beauty captivated Columbus, leading him to claim the land for Spain. He named it 'Dominica', meaning 'Sunday', in honor of the day of the week he discovered it.

On this voyage, Columbus was on a mission to return to the New World, hoping to establish Spanish settlements and expand his knowledge of the insular region. The discovery of Dominica represented another step toward asserting European geopolitical interests in the Caribbean, which was proving to be a treasure trove of resources. The island remained uninhabited by Europeans at the time, although it was inhabited by the Kalinago, also known as the Caribs, a group of Indigenous peoples well-known for their resistance against colonization.

The sighting of Dominica would later lead to increased European exploration of the island, paving the way for subsequent colonial endeavors and the interaction—often exploitative—between European powers and indigenous populations. Columbus's discovery not only expanded the map of the Caribbean but also highlighted the urgency of conquest and resource acquisition that characterized the Age of Exploration. Dominica would eventually be claimed by various colonial powers in the centuries that followed, each leaving their mark on the island's cultural landscape.