The Windward Islands, also known as the Islands of Barlovento, are the southern, generally larger islands of the Lesser Antilles.

What islands are considered the Windward Islands?

The Windward Islands are Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenadines and Grenada. Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are sometimes put in this group as they are more windward than other Caribbean islands and are located in close proximity to the established Windward Islands.

Why are the Windward Islands so called?

The Windward Islands comprise Barbados, Grenada, the Grenadines, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago and Trinidad, which are among the larger of the Lesser Antilles islands. They are referred to as the Windward Islands due to their location on the path of Northeastern trade winds.

What are the windward and Leeward Islands?

An island's windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island's leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains. ... Thus, an island's windward side is wetter and more verdant than its drier leeward side.

Where are Windward Islands?

The Windward Islands are located in the foot of the Caribbean Sea. The islands form part of the easternmost boundary of the Caribbean Sea. Since there are over seven thousands Caribbean islands islets reefs and cays the diversity among them is pronounced.

The banana industry of the Windward Islands - The Guardian

18 related questions found

Is Puerto Rico a Windward Island?

The early Spanish colonizers called Puerto Rico and the islands to the west Sotavento, meaning 'leeward'. ... Later on, all islands north of Martinique became known as the Leeward Islands. Dominica was transferred to the British Windward Islands in 1940, and is now considered to be part of the Windward Islands.

What island chain is St Lucia in?

Saint Lucia is part of the Windward Island chain, a sub-group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, located 21 miles south of its nearest neighbour, the French Department of Martinique, 24 miles north of St Vincent and 100 miles north-west of Barbados.

Where are Leeward Islands?

Leeward Islands, French Îles Sous-le-Vent, Spanish Islas de Sotavento, an arc of West Indian islands that constitute the most westerly and northerly of the Lesser Antilles, at the northeastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 16° and 19° N and longitudes 61° and 65° W.

What are the ABC Caribbean islands?

You may have heard of the phrase “ABC Islands” and assuming you are somewhat familiar with Aruba (since you found us, wink wink), you may know it stands for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Are the Leeward Islands safe?

This British territory in the Leeward Islands is considered to be one of the safest Caribbean destinations, its biggest threat being the active Soufrière Hills volcano and hurricanes that roll in between June and November.

Where is located West Indies?

The West Indies are a chain of islands located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This chain of islands runs from the north, close to the US State of Florida, all the way south to the northern shores of South America.

Are the ABC islands part of South America?

The ABC islands are technically positioned on the South American continental shelf, meaning their location classifies them as part of South America. Most commonly, you will hear Aruba being referenced as an island in the Caribbean.

How did the gospel come to the Virgin Islands?

How did the gospel come to the Virgin Islands? A man from the islands mer Count von Zinzendorf in Denmark and told him that his island would welcome missionaries. After Count von Zinzendorf told his followers about this, two Moravian missionaries followed later.

Is Bermuda part of the United Kingdom?

Bermuda is an internally self-governing British overseas territory with a parliamentary government. Under its 1968 constitution, the British monarch, represented by the governor, is the head of state.

Is St Martin a Leeward Island?

Saint Martin, Dutch Sint Maarten, French Saint-Martin, island, lying at the northern end of the Leeward group of the Lesser Antilles in the northeastern Caribbean Sea.

Is Jamaica in the Leeward Islands?

These include the West Indian islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, Montserrat (this group is called the Leeward Islands), Grenada, St. ... Jamaica is the largest of the English Speaking West Indian islands.

Who lives on the Leeward Islands?

During the Spanish expeditions of the 15th century, the Leeward Islands were inhabited by The Caribs (whom the Caribbean is named) and were the first islands in the Caribbean to fall under Spanish control.

Why is St Lucia called Helen of the West?

The French were the first Europeans to settle on the island. ... In 1814, the British took definitive control of the island. Because it switched so often between British and French control, Saint Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West" after the Greek mythological character, Helen of Troy.

Who owns St Lucia?

Along with the other Windward Islands, St. Lucia became a federated state associated with the United Kingdom in 1967. Although it achieved independence in 1979, St. Lucia remains a member of the British Commonwealth.

Is Belize a Caribbean island?

Belize, country located on the northeast coast of Central America. ... Belize is often thought of as a Caribbean country in Central America because it has a history similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations. Indeed, Belize's institutions and official language reflect its history as a British colony.

Is Dominica a leeward or Windward Island?

Dominica was formerly administered by the British government as part of the Leeward Islands, rather than the Windwards. ... The geology of the Windwards is volcanic, with craters, hot springs, and sulfuric vents found in the mountainous central ribs of the islands.

What is the leeward side of mountain?

The leeward—or "lee"—side is the one sheltered from the wind by the reference point. Windward and leeward aren't frivolous terms. When applied to mountains, they are important factors in weather and climate—one is responsible for enhancing precipitation in the vicinity of mountain ranges, while the other withholds it.