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Coordinates: 14°N 61°W / 14°N 61°W / 14; -61
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{{Infobox islands
{{Infobox islands
|name = Windward Islands
|name = Windward Islands
|local_name = <small>{{lang-en|Windward Islands}}<br/>{{lang-fr|Îles du Vent}}</small>
|local_name = <small>{{langx|en|Windward Islands}}<br/>{{langx|fr|Îles du Vent}}</small>
|image_name = Caribbean - Windward Islands.PNG
|image_name = Caribbean - Windward Islands.PNG
|image_caption = Location within the Lesser Antilles
|image_caption = Location within the Lesser Antilles
Line 31: Line 31:
}}
}}


The '''Windward Islands''' are the southern, generally larger islands of the [[Lesser Antilles]] of the [[Caribbean|Caribbean islands]] or [[West Indies]]. Located approximately between latitudes [[10th parallel north|10°]] and [[16th parallel north|16° N]] and longitudes [[60th meridian west|60°]] and [[62nd meridian west|62° W]], they extend from [[Dominica]] in the north to [[Trinidad and Tobago]] in the south, and lie south of the [[Leeward Islands]] and east of [[Leeward Antilles]].
The '''Windward Islands''' are the southern, generally larger islands of the [[Lesser Antilles]] of the [[Caribbean|Caribbean islands]] or [[West Indies]]. Located approximately between latitudes [[10th parallel north|10°]] and [[16th parallel north|16° N]] and longitudes [[60th meridian west|60°]] and [[62nd meridian west|62° W]], they extend from [[Dominica]] in the north to [[Trinidad and Tobago]] in the south, and lie south of the [[Leeward Islands]] and east of [[Leeward Antilles]].


The name was also used to refer to a [[British Windward Islands|British colony]] which existed between 1833 and 1960 and originally consisted of the islands of [[Grenada]], [[Saint Lucia]], and [[Saint Vincent (Antilles)|Saint Vincent]]. Today these islands constitute three sovereign states, with the latter now known as [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]].
The name was also used to refer to a [[British Windward Islands|British colony]] which existed between 1833 and 1960 and originally consisted of the islands of [[Grenada]], [[Saint Lucia]], and [[Saint Vincent (Antilles)|Saint Vincent]]. Today, these islands constitute three sovereign states, the latter of which is now known as [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]].


The island of [[Dominica]] was traditionally considered a part of the [[Leeward Islands]] until 1940 when it was transferred from the [[British Leeward Islands]] colony to the British Windward Islands. It now composes the fourth sovereign state in the group.
The island of [[Dominica]] was traditionally considered a part of the [[Leeward Islands]] until 1940, when it was transferred from the [[British Leeward Islands]] colony to the British Windward Islands. It now composes the fourth sovereign state in the group.


[[Barbados]] (until 1885) and [[Tobago]] (until 1889) were also part of the [[British Windward Islands]] colony, but are not today regarded as being part of the Windward Islands grouping.
[[Barbados]] (until 1885) and [[Tobago]] (until 1889) were also part of the [[British Windward Islands]] colony but are not today regarded as being part of the Windward Islands grouping.


==Name and geography==
==Name and geography==
The prevailing [[trade winds]] in the [[West Indies]] blow east to west. The combination of trans-Atlantic [[ocean current|currents]] and winds that provided the fastest route across the ocean brought [[sailing ship]]s heading to the [[New World]] to the rough dividing line between two groups of islands. Those that fell to [[windward and leeward|windward]] became the Windward Islands, to [[windward and leeward|leeward]] the [[Leeward Islands]].
The prevailing [[trade winds]] in the [[West Indies]] blow east to west. The combination of trans-Atlantic [[ocean current|currents]] and winds that provided the fastest route across the ocean brought [[sailing ship]]s heading to the [[New World]] to the rough dividing line between two groups of islands. Those that fell to [[windward and leeward|windward]] became the Windward Islands, to [[windward and leeward|leeward]] the [[Leeward Islands]].


Sailing vessels departing from Africa would first encounter the southeasternmost "Windward" islands of the Lesser Antilles in their west-northwesterly heading to the final destinations in the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and [[Northern America]]. The chain of Windward Islands forms a part of the easternmost boundary of the [[Caribbean Sea]].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/645259/Windward-Islands |title=Windward Islands |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |quote=[A] line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles, at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 12° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W. They include, from north to south, the English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada; and, between Saint Vincent and Grenada, the chain of 32 islands known as the Grenadines. Though near the general area, Trinidad and Tobago (at the south end of the group) and Barbados (just east) are usually not considered part of the Windward Islands.}}</ref><ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+cx0103) Chapter 4 - The Windward Islands and Barbados] - U.S. Library of Congress</ref>
Sailing vessels departing from Africa would first encounter the southeasternmost "Windward" islands of the Lesser Antilles in their west-northwesterly heading to the final destinations in the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and [[Northern America]]. The chain of Windward Islands forms a part of the easternmost boundary of the [[Caribbean Sea]].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/645259/Windward-Islands |title=Windward Islands |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |quote=[A] line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles, at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 12° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W. They include, from north to south, the English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada, and, between Saint Vincent and Grenada, the chain of 32 islands known as the Grenadines. Though near the general area, Trinidad and Tobago (at the south end of the group) and Barbados (just east) are usually not considered part of the Windward Islands.}}</ref><ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+cx0103) Chapter 4 - The Windward Islands and Barbados] - U.S. Library of Congress</ref>


However, even in modern usage in languages other than English, notably, Dutch, French, and Spanish, all of the [[Lesser Antilles]] from the [[Virgin Islands]] to [[Trinidad and Tobago]] are known as the 'Windward Islands' (''Bovenwindse Eilanden'' in Dutch, ''Îles du Vent'' in French, and ''Islas de Barlovento'' in Spanish). The [[ABC islands (Leeward Antilles)|ABC Islands]] and the other islands along the Venezuelan coast, known in English as the [[Leeward Antilles]], are known in languages other than English as the 'Leeward Islands'.
However, even in modern usage in languages other than English, notably Dutch, French, and Spanish, all of the [[Lesser Antilles]] from the [[Virgin Islands]] to [[Trinidad and Tobago]] are known as the 'Windward Islands' (''Bovenwindse Eilanden'' in Dutch, ''Îles du Vent'' in French, and ''Islas de Barlovento'' in Spanish). The [[ABC islands (Leeward Antilles)|ABC Islands]] and the other islands along the Venezuelan coast, known in English as the [[Leeward Antilles]], are known in languages other than English as the 'Leeward Islands'.


==Countries and territories==
==Countries and territories==

Latest revision as of 19:37, 4 November 2024

This article is about the Caribbean island group. For other uses, see Windward Islands (disambiguation).

Windward Islands
English: Windward Islands
French: Îles du Vent
Location within the Lesser Antilles
Map
Geography
LocationCaribbean Sea
North Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates14°N 61°W / 14°N 61°W / 14; -61
Total islands90+
Major islandsCarriacou
Dominica
Grenada
Martinique
Petite Martinique
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
Area3,232.5 km2 (1,248.1 sq mi)
Highest elevation1,447 m (4747 ft)
Highest pointMorne Diablotins, Dominica
Administration
Largest settlementRoseau
Grenada
Largest settlementSt. George's
Martinique
Largest settlementFort-de-France
Saint Lucia
Largest settlementCastries
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Largest settlementKingstown
Demographics
Populationc. 854,000
Pop. density227/km2 (588/sq mi)

The Windward Islands are the southern, generally larger islands of the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean islands or West Indies. Located approximately between latitudes 10° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W, they extend from Dominica in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south, and lie south of the Leeward Islands and east of Leeward Antilles.

The name was also used to refer to a British colony which existed between 1833 and 1960 and originally consisted of the islands of Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent. Today, these islands constitute three sovereign states, the latter of which is now known as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The island of Dominica was traditionally considered a part of the Leeward Islands until 1940, when it was transferred from the British Leeward Islands colony to the British Windward Islands. It now composes the fourth sovereign state in the group.

Barbados (until 1885) and Tobago (until 1889) were also part of the British Windward Islands colony but are not today regarded as being part of the Windward Islands grouping.

Name and geography

[edit]

The prevailing trade winds in the West Indies blow east to west. The combination of trans-Atlantic currents and winds that provided the fastest route across the ocean brought sailing ships heading to the New World to the rough dividing line between two groups of islands. Those that fell to windward became the Windward Islands, to leeward the Leeward Islands.

Sailing vessels departing from Africa would first encounter the southeasternmost "Windward" islands of the Lesser Antilles in their west-northwesterly heading to the final destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, and Northern America. The chain of Windward Islands forms a part of the easternmost boundary of the Caribbean Sea.[1][2]

However, even in modern usage in languages other than English, notably Dutch, French, and Spanish, all of the Lesser Antilles from the Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago are known as the 'Windward Islands' (Bovenwindse Eilanden in Dutch, Îles du Vent in French, and Islas de Barlovento in Spanish). The ABC Islands and the other islands along the Venezuelan coast, known in English as the Leeward Antilles, are known in languages other than English as the 'Leeward Islands'.

Countries and territories

[edit]

There are four countries and one territory in the Windward Islands:[1][3][4]

The Windward Islands are on the map's lower right, above and to the right of Venezuela

Politics

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Windward Islands". Encyclopædia Britannica. [A] line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles, at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 12° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W. They include, from north to south, the English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada, and, between Saint Vincent and Grenada, the chain of 32 islands known as the Grenadines. Though near the general area, Trinidad and Tobago (at the south end of the group) and Barbados (just east) are usually not considered part of the Windward Islands.
  2. ^ Chapter 4 - The Windward Islands and Barbados - U.S. Library of Congress
  3. ^ "Windward Islands". Footprint Travel Guides. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Windward Islands". Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
[edit]
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