The Leeward Islands /ˈliːwərd/ are a group of islands situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean. Starting with the Virgin Islands east of Puerto Rico, they extend southeast to Guadeloupe and its dependencies.

Where are Leeward and Windward Islands located?

Though both archipelagos are located east and south of Puerto Rico, where the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet, the Leeward Islands are the more northerly in the group, and the Windward Islands are located farther south. The Windward Islands comprise Barbados, Grenada, the Grenadines, Martinique, St.

Where is the Windward Islands located?

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 département of Martinique; the English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada; and, between Saint

What is the difference between Leeward and Windward 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.

Who do the Leeward Islands belong to?

The Leeward group includes: the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin, Saint-Barthelemy, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Barbuda, Antiqua, Redonda, Montserrat and Guadeloupe.

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.

Are the Leeward Islands inhabited?

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.

What is the capital of the Leeward Islands?

Philipsburg is the Dutch region capital, while Marigot is the major settlemt in the French area. Pic Paradis is the highest peak at 1380 ft (420 m). There are no rivers, and the island was valued by early colonial powers for the sake of its salt ponds.

What are the four Windward Islands?

The Windward Islands are comprised of the four independent States of Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica.

Is St Lucia a Windward island?

Overview. The Windward Islands, in the West Indies, was made up of the British possessions of Grenada, St Vincent and St Lucia. Grenada, the smallest, is the southernmost island and St Lucia, the largest, is the northernmost island.

Is Puerto Rico a leeward 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.

Where is the leeward side of Oahu?

The leeward of Oahu extends from Kaena Point to Koko Head, including the west and south shores of the island; just as windward includes the east and north shores.

What are the Leeward Islands known for?

The Leeward Islands are made up of Guadeloupe, St. Barths, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, The Virgin Islands and the great island of Saint Martin. With great connections internationally and a highly developed yachting infrastructure, the Leeward Islands are a top destination for luxury yacht travel.

Can you visit the Leeward Islands?

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.

Are Leeward Islands British?

The Leeward Islands was established as an English colony in 1671. In 1816, the islands were divided in two regions: Antigua, Barbuda, and Montserrat in one colony, and Saint Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands in the other.

Is Barbados a windward island?

Windward Islands Overview

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.

Where are the northern 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 direction is leeward?

Windward is upwind from the point of reference, i.e. towards the direction from which the wind is coming; leeward is downwind from the point of reference, i.e. along the direction towards which the wind is going.

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.