List of leeward and windward islands. The Windward Islands .

List of leeward and windward islands. The Windward Islands Our windward islands map highlights the locations of capital cities, islands, and countries for clear, simplified geographical reference. Jul 22, 2025 · Leeward Islands, 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. Nov 15, 2023 · The Windward Islands and Leeward Islands highlight the best that the Caribbean has to offer, and are made up of a series of islands, each with their own unique personality – making them the ideal location for a superyacht to cruise. For example, colonial officials tended to give trouble by opposing the British Government’s policies and decisions. Tropical Islands Of The Caribbean. The leeward Islands are the tropical islands and less developed countries in the Caribbean. 9-15 The Windward Islands (Îles du Vent) form the eastern group of the Society Islands, including Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiꞌaroa, and Mehetia. The Society Islands consist of Moorea, Tahiti and Tetiaroa (the Windward Islands), and Bora Bora, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine and Maupiti (the Leeward Islands). The leeward side is the side distant from or physically in the lee of the prevailing wind, and typically the drier. Famously sunny beaches like Oahu’s Waikiki and Maui’s Wailea are found on the islands’ more sheltered leeward sides. ). The Windward Islands are the southern, generally larger islands of the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean islands or the West Indies. This section of the guide concentrates exclusively on travelling in the region of the Caribbean which is divided into three groups of islands, the Leeward and the Windward Islands and the Leeward Antilles. The windward side faces North or East and is moderate, lush, and green. In an archipelago, windward islands are upwind, while leeward islands are downwind of the prevailing winds, such as the trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Lucia, St. The Society Islands consists of the Windward and Leeward Islands, whose names are a reminder that the trade winds blow here and keep the temperature constant and very agreeable all year round. Catalina island is no exception to this rule. Includes latitudinal and longitudinal lines, as well as a bar scale given in English miles. Virgin Islands. 2, Essays on Caribbean Unity: The Case for Integration of the Windward and Leeward Islands (JUNE 1972), pp. The Lesser Antilles are divided into the Leeward Islands and the Wayward Islands. Mar 25, 2020 · The Leeward Islands are an integral part of the Society archipelago, which includes the Windward Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiaroa) on the east and the Leeward Islands on the west. Eight islands which collectively offer the largest choice to tourists visiting The Islands of Tahiti. The document discusses the history of political development and attempts at federation in the Caribbean up to 1985. Dominica was initially considered a part of the Leeward Islands but was transferred from the British Leeward Islands to the British Windward Islands in 1940. Download Contents v. Lucia (British, St. Quick Facts English: Leeward IslandsFrench: Îles-Sous-le-Vent, Geography Downstream and upstream Foehn wind Lee shore List of nautical terms Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, also known as Leeward Islands Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Leeward Antilles (in the Lesser Antilles) Windward Islands and Leeward Islands (in the Society Islands) References ↑ "Plattwort: Luv un Lee" (in de). 2. Map representing the Leeward and Windward Islands including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, and Virgin Islands. At the same time, the dozens of small, often uninhabited islands that make up the Grenadines offer picture-perfect beaches The Leeward and Windward islands together make up the Caribbean islands group of the Lesser Antilles. The complex geological makeup of the Windward Islands denotes its volcanic and sedimentary strata of Oligocene age, from Pleistocene coral limestone and alluvium. Mar 14, 2025 · Located south of the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, stretching from St. Are the islands diverse? The Lesser Antilles can be divided into the Windward Islands in the south and the Leeward Islands in the north. Over an area of about 400Km and a population of 35000 inhabitants, there are a total of 8 islands: 5 high islands and 4 atolls. In 1885 Barbados withdrew from the government of the Windward Islands, leaving St. Nov 4, 2015 · The Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands lie like a ‘backbone’ framing the Caribbean Sea, luring sailors, cruise ships, and charter yachts to their shores for their close to perfect climate, a staggering array of diverse cultures, customs, cuisines and experiences, watersports and myriad attractions. The Leeward Islands Federation was dissolved in 1956 and flag badges were introduced for individual islands of Antigua 1956, St Kitts-Nevis in 1957, British Virgin islands and Montserrat 1960. e british windward islands - comprises of st lucia, st vincent and grenadines, barbados, grenada, tobago - in 1940 dominica was transferred to the british windward islands from leeward leeward islands - opposite to the Mar 30, 2020 · The windward islands and the leeward islands are part of the Lesser Antilles located in the Caribbean Sea. This group represents the most developed and populated region of French Polynesia, with modern infrastructure and diverse economic activities ranging from tourism to agriculture and administration. They form an arc which begins east of Puerto Rico at the archipelago of the Virgin Islands, swings southeast through the Leeward and Windward Islands towards South America, and The Leeward Antilles (Dutch: Benedenwindse Eilanden; Spanish: islas de Sotavento) are a chain of islands in the Caribbean, specifically part of the southerly islands of the Lesser Antilles (and, in turn, the Antilles and the West Indies) along the southeastern fringe of the Caribbean Sea, just north of the Venezuelan coast of the South American The Windward Islands are the southern group of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies, curving generally southward for about 300 miles (480 km) from the Leeward Islands towards NE Venezuela. They lie at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 12° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W and include, from north to south, the English-speaking island of Dominica; the French Jul 1, 2024 · The Spanish called Puerto Rico and islands to the west, leeward islands. The Lesser Antilles are divided into the Leeward Islands in the North and Windward Islands in the South. The Greater Antilles consist of the largest Caribbean islands. Locally within the Caribbean, look for hard copies at chandleries, including Budget Oct 3, 2019 · The Leeward Islands are islands located in the West Indies at the convergence of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and are located between the Greater Antilles Islands and the Windward Islands. Leeward Islands yacht charters, Caribbean yacht charter boats - crewed, luxury, bareboat, bareboating, sail, sailing charters vacations and holidays, motor and power catamaran charter yacht rental. French Polynesia is an Overseas Collectivity of France that is made up of 118 islands and atolls scattered over a vast area in the Pacific Ocean. The Leeward Islands (Caribbean Islands) As an example, the Hawaiian Islands have damp windward sides and drier leeward sides most of the time as a result of the Pacific Ocean’s northeasterly trade winds. Discover stunning beaches, scuba diving and more aboard your luxury yacht!. These areas receive abundant rainfall, resulting in lush rainforests and vibrant vegetation. Barts, Saint Kitts, Saint Martin, Sint Eustatius, the British Virgin Islands and the U. Europeans reached this chain of islands sailing downwind across the Atlantic under the "trade winds", the prevailing easterlies. The southern part of the Lesser Antilles chain is called the Windward Islands. Map of the Leeward and Windward Islands of the West Indies. The Lesser Antilles[1] is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, forming part of the West Indies in Caribbean region of the Americas. The northern part is made up of two parallel arcs of islands. Other significance The southeastern islands of the Caribbean, Dominica, Martinique, St. The more southerly part of this chain, starting with Dominica, is called the Windward Islands…. A new Leeward Islands Federation was formed in Together with the Leeward Islands (q. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Aug 31, 2018 · The Windward Islands, the Leeward Islands, and the Leeward Antilles are part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Barbados. Oct 17, 2024 · The leeward side is the side that is physically in the lee of the prevailing wind, typically the drier side. Aug 30, 2018 · The Lesser Antilles are further divided into two groups: the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. Includes a legend, latitudinal and longitudinal lines, as well as a bar scale given in English miles. The Leeward Islands are Antigua, Barbuda, St. May 27, 2020 · The prevalence of rain on windward sides of islands promotes the growth of vegetation whereas the leeward side flora is acclimated to a drier climate. In sailing terminology, " windward " means towards the source of the wind (upwind), while " leeward " is the opposite direction (downwind). Leeward means the side opposite to which the wind is blowing. The Lesser Antilles are a group of islands located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. The two island clusters are the Windward Islands and the Leeward Together with the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands create the backbone of the Caribbean Sea and graciously lure on their shores travelers in search of paradise, as well as a myriad of cruise ships and charter yachts. They are where the Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean. These islands are called Windward because they are more windward to arriving Caribbean cruise ships than the Leeward Islands in the North of the Lesser Antilles. The northeastern sides of the islands, such as Maui and Oahu, face the prevailing trade winds and are considered windward. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada, are known as the Windward Islands. Also, since less colonial officials The Leeward Islands are situated to the west of the prevailing easterly trade winds in the Caribbean Sea, while the Windward Islands are located to the east, where they face the full force of the trade winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean. French South Pacific plus it's amazing scenery makes this a destination in one of the absolute top hits of any one's bucket list. The Leeward Islands are located in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, and include islands such as Antigua and Barbuda, St. Collectively these islands are also referred to as the West Indies. In a nutshell, they essential describe how much rain an area gets and how tropical or arid an area is. 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. They form an arc which begins east of Puerto Rico at the archipelago of the Virgin Islands, swings southeast through the Leeward and Windward Islands towards South America, and The Windward Islands are the group of Caribbean islands located in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, south of the Leeward Islands. 2 days ago · The Caribbean is made up of three main archipelagos: The Greater Antilles, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. The leeward side is protected from the prevailing wind by the elevation of the island and is typically the drier side than the windward side. Mar 26, 2023 · Wondering how the Windward islands differ from the Leeward islands? Here’s everything you need to know about Windward and Leeward Islands. Dominica was originally considered a part of the Leeward Islands, but was transferred from the British Leeward Islands to the British Windward Islands in 1940. com Mar 21, 2018 · Both the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands are island chains that are part of the Lesser Antilles (together with the Leeward Antilles islands of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Tortuga and Isla The Leeward group includes: the U. Jul 2, 2025 · Windward Islands, a line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles. Map is 46 x 61 cm Sep 9, 2023 · 6. The Society Islands offer an unlimited array of activities and experiences, encompassing sports, nature, culture, heritage, gastronomy, shopping, and well-being. Oct 20, 2023 · What are the Leeward and Windward Islands? Alternatively, you may hear of a storm threatening the same region but denoted as Leeward and Windward islands. The name was also used to refer The Caribbean Windward Islands are so named due to being on the windier and wetter side of the Lesser Antilles and consist of Martinique, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada. Barbados, Tobago, and Trinidad make up an additional line of islands extending on the South American Plate-Caribbean Plate boundary. The Leeward Islands were so named because ships sailing south from the Atlantic did so on the leeward (sheltered, or facing the direction toward which the wind blows) side of the islands. Its limestone characterizes the outer arc. It encompasses both the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles, forming the principal island groups of the Caribbean region. It describes the early groupings of the Leeward Islands under the proprietary system of government from the 17th century. S. The Leeward Islands are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain of islands, parts of the West Indies. The Lesser Antilles are divided up into two groups, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. Windward and Leeward: Sides of the Islands Every Hawaiian island has a leeward side and a windward side. The islands of Netherlands Antilles are divided into two geographical groups: the Leeward Islands of the Venezuelan coast, which are made up of the islands of Bonaire, Curaçao, and the islets of Klein Bonaire and Klein Curaçao; the second group, located east of Puerto Rico, is known as the Windward Islands. Learn more & view map. In English, the term Leeward Islands refers to the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. The leeward side faces South or West and is hot, dry, and sunny. ), Martinique (French), St. Learn more. A boat’s leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered by hills and mountains. The Society Islands is an archipelago of 14 islands that are geographically and administratively divided into two separate clusters. See full list on worldatlas. Leeward Islands. Learn about their geography, history, and attractions, and find out which island group suits your travel preferences, whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation. In these islands everything is possible: sport, nature, culture, history, gastronomy, shopping, well-being. A map exhibiting the windward and leeward islands on the lower right section of the map. In the West Indies, the prevailing winds, known as the trade winds, blow predominantly out of 2025-2026 Cruising Guides to the Leeward Islands Both digital and hard copies are now available! Digitally through the Doyle Guides Mobile app on Apple (download here) or Android (download here). Because the leeward side has less rain, it is less green. v. Sep 6, 2019 · Explore the Windward and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. The British and US Virgin Islands are a part of the Leeward Islands flanked by the Caribbean Sea & Atlantic Ocean. With the exception of Martinique Mar 5, 2021 · What islands are considered the Leeward Islands? The Leeward Islands are composed of the many smaller islands that make up the Lesser Antilles, including Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, Redonda, Saba, St. Windward locations are generally lush and green. Windward means upwind from a given reference point and leeward means down wind from a given reference point. (The prevailing winds in the region blow from south to north, thus hitting the Windward The Eastern Caribbean is divided roughly into two sets of islands: those that receive the Trade Winds first, that is, the Windward Islands, and those that are a bit to the west, the Leeward Islands. Jun 11, 2011 · The Leeward Islands were organised as a Federal Colony with one badge for all the islands, used on the Blue Ensign and the Union Jack. They are known for their diverse geography, from volcanic terrains to pristine beaches, and their rich history influenced by indigenous cultures, European colonization, and African heritage. 1 Flora of the Lesser Antilles : Leeward and Windward Islands The British Windward Islands was an administrative grouping of British colonies in the Windward Islands of the West Indies, existing from 1833 until 3 January 1958 and consisting of the islands of Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, Barbados (the seat of the governor until 1885, when it returned to its former status of a 2 days ago · The Caribbean is made up of three main archipelagos: The Greater Antilles, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. This map collection presents the Leeward Islands, a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea with five maps of different views. Mar 18, 2024 · Scenery Review : Society Islands - Leeward and Windward by Aerosoft Say Tahiti, or Bora Bora and the thoughts are always "Exotic". The Leeward islands of the West Indies are one of the most popular tourist travel destinations in the World with a huge demand within the Caribbean cruise industry. Apr 9, 2008 · You may hear the words leeward and windward to describe areas of the island, but not know what that means. Kitts, and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, and the Virgin Islands. The main island groups include the Windward and Leeward Islands; these names reflect the importance to the region of the prevailing easterly trade winds. Kitts), Nevis, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands, among others. May 20, 2025 · The Lesser Antilles islands are a group of small islands that make up part of the West Indies in the Caribbean. Jun 25, 2024 · Explore the Windward vs Leeward Islands for yachting: Discover their differences, best travel times, and top spots in this essential guide. "Windward" means upwind and "leeward" means downwind, crucial for a sailing vessel, but what is up- or downwind depends entirely on your reference point. Eventually, the British came along and designated Antigua, Montserrat and islands to the north as the Leeward Islands. The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the West Indian Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Lucia to Grenada, showcase some of the Caribbean’s most pristine natural beauty. Vincent (British), and Grenada (British). BERNARD MARSHALL, ATTEMPTS AT WINDWARD/LEEWARD FEDERATION, Caribbean Quarterly, Vol. What is the Windward and Leeward Islands? In English, the term Leeward Islands refers to the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. Christopher (hereafter, St. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin, Saint-Barthelemy, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Barbuda, Antiqua, Redonda, Montserrat and Guadeloupe. These consist of the Dutch ABC islands just off the coast of Venezuela, plus a group of Venezuelan islands. [1][2][3] In order of population size, they are: Sint Maarten, Sint The Society Islands are divided into the Windward and Leeward Islands, named so for the prevailing trade winds that maintain a consistently pleasant temperature throughout the year. They are distinguished from the larger islands of the Greater Antilles to the west. Feb 28, 2025 · Discover the key differences between the Windward and Leeward Islands with our quick comparison guide. It is […] May 9, 2018 · Leeward Islands The Lesser Antilles of the eastern Caribbean are divided into the Leeward and the Windward Islands. Jun 6, 2009 · South of the Leeward Islands are the Windward Islands, extending from Dominica to Grenada, which consist of a series of volcanoes. ), the Windwards constitute a part of the Lesser Antilles or Caribbean Arc of the West Indies (q. Vincent, and Grenada with a nominal governor (Dominica had left earlier). May 17, 2018 · Windward Islands, southern group of the Lesser Antilles [1] in the West Indies [2], curving generally southward for c. May 19, 2021 · Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The side that faces the mainland is the leeward. The islands derive their name from their location away from the wind. Tobago left in 1886 and amalgamated with Trinidad, and Dominica joined in 1939 after previously belonging to the British colony of Leeward Islands. These islands were also previously named the Georgian Islands in honour of King George III of the United Kingdom. The trade winds blow from the northeast of the Hawaiian islands to the southwest. The Windward Islands were formed in 1880, when Grenada, Tobago, St Vincent, and St Lucia were grouped to form one British colony. These islands feature dramatic landscapes, including towering peaks, lush rainforests, and volcanic terrain. The group includes islands such as Dominica, St. Map is 42 x 31 cm, on sheet 48 x After progressing through the islands most to windward, which came to be known as the Windwards, these ships rounded off their voyages with the islands most to leeward--Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. The western Leewards are the Virgin Islands. The Windward and Leeward Islands are delimited by dotted lines. The more southerly part of this chain, starting with Dominica, is called the Windward Islands. Relief shown with hachures. In the US you can order hard copies online here, or you can find a list of Canadian and European suppliers here. This collection of islands is diverse in terrain and culture. There are drawbacks and benefits to both. The SSS islands (Dutch: SSS-eilanden), locally also known as the Dutch Windward Islands (Bovenwindse Eilanden or Bovenwinden), is a collective term for the three territories of the Dutch Caribbean (formerly the Netherlands Antilles) that are located within the Leeward Islands group of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. BHL announces Call for Support. 300 mi (480 km) from the Leeward Islands [3] toward NE Venezuela. They lie south of the Leeward Islands, between latitudes 12 and 16 N and longitudes 60 and 62 W in one definition. North of the Greater Antilles lie the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, a group of small, scattered islands that are technically in the Atlantic, but are usually considered part of the Caribbean. The same islands that make up the Lesser Antilles have another geographic moniker, broken up by the northern and southern islands. Feb 14, 2022 · Attempts at Unification up to 1962, Reasons for Failure and the Results The Leeward Islands- early groupings In the 17th century, the British Government was in favour of groups of colonies because they were easier and cheaper to administer. In an archipelago windward islands are upwind and leeward islands are downwind of the prevailing winds, such as the trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In the case of an archipelago, " windward islands " are upwind and " leeward islands " are the downwind ones. Why are they called Leeward Islands? Aug 12, 2024 · Windward Islands The Windward Islands comprise de southern arc of the Lesser Islands in the east of the Caribbean. What are the Leeward Antilles? The Leeward Antilles is a chain of islands in the southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela. Most are very small and the tiniest islands remain uninhabited. Their name has a simple explanation – the Windward Islands are exposed to the wind of the northeast trade winds. The third group is the Leeward Antilles in the west. Explore unique features, climate variations, and cultural distinctions that set these Caribbean destinations apart. It has always been on my "most" d Jan 21, 2021 · What are the differences between windward and Leeward Islands? Windward means on the side of something from which the wind is blowing. 18, No. Examples of Leeward and Windward One notable example of leeward and windward is the Hawaiian Islands. With two inset maps: Barbadoes -- Trinidad. The Windward Islands (French: Îles du Vent [il dy vɑ̃]) are the eastern group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. Together all the Windward and Leeward Islands make up the Caribbean islands known as the Lesser Antilles. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands. This is neither a political, historical, nor economic division, but a convenient reference. The Leeward Islands are part of the Lesser Antilles, located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. The choice of activities and experiences in the Society Islands is unlimited: sport, nature, culture, heritage, gastronomy, shopping, well-being. The inserted map in the upper left corner shows the location of French Polynesia (black circle) in the Pacific Ocean What are Leeward Islands called now? In English, the term Leeward Islands refers to the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. The trans-Atlantic currents and winds that provided the fastest route across the ocean brought these ships to the rough dividing line between the Windward and Leeward Islands. (By the way, you’ll likely hear locals refer to the trade winds, simply as “the trades”) The trade May 27, 2025 · Caribbean countries and dependencies list Below is a list of the Caribbean countries and dependencies, along with their capitals and locations. Shows political boundaries, cities, roads, topography, bodies of water, drainage, coastlines, shoals and islands. Shows political boundaries, topography, cities, roads, drainage, coastlines, and islands. Origin of the Word “Antilles”: The origin of the word “Antilles” is somewhat uncertain. The name of this island group, Leeward Islands, dates from previous centuries, when sailing ships were the sole form of transportation across the Atlantic Ocean. dominica political history of windward islands - islands were under british rule formed part of the political union i. These island groups include many of the most popular tourist destinations in the West Indies. The backside of Catalina, which faces open ocean is considered the windward side. Sep 26, 2024 · The Windward Islands are the southern, generally larger islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies. Thus, leeward or windward siting is an important weather and climate factor on oceanic islands. The first federation of the Leeward Islands was established in 1674 but was unpopular and rejected in 1683. The Antilles, Leeward and Windward Islands The term “Antilles” refers to a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are known as the 'ABC" islands and are territories of the Netherlands. The Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea that extend from the Virgin Islands south to Trinidad and Tobago, consisting of two main groups of islands: the northern group, which includes the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, and the southern group, which includes Trinidad and Tobago. [2][3] Jul 23, 2025 · Lesser Antilles, long arc of small islands in the Caribbean Sea extending in a north-south direction from the Virgin Islands to Grenada. The Windward Islands may be defined geographically as those lying south of latitude 15°N, and include from N to S: Dominica (Br. So go ahead, try it all! Jul 15, 2024 · The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the northeastern Caribbean within the Lesser Antilles. Hand-colored lithograph. The West Indies encompasses more than five thousand islands, reefs and cays. Is St Martin a Leeward Island? The islands that lie north of the Lesser Antilles, fall under the Leeward Islands, and the Windward Islands (suggestive name) are mostly located to the south of the Lesser Antilles. They are located away from the trade winds. In 1940 Dominica rejoined the Windwards after being a reluctant member of the Leeward Islands Federation for the previous seventy years. pcfue wmxbjbyc twokn gcdsfgt wtws yocb qyopxw hxbe odq nbi