Name and Geography
The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the West Indies blow east to west. 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. Vessels in the Atlantic slave trade departing from the African Gold Coast and Gulf of Guinea would first encounter the southeasternmost islands of the Lesser Antilles in their west-northwesterly heading to final destinations in the Caribbean and North and Central America. The chain of islands form a part of the easternmost boundary of the Caribbean Sea.
The Antillean Windward Islands from north to south are:
- Dominica
- Martinique (an overseas department of France)
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Grenadines
- Grenada
| Sovereign State | Official Name | Indigenous Name | Flag | Capital | Largest city | Area | Population (2010) | Highest Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | Commonwealth of Dominica | Wai'tu kubuli | Roseau | Roseau | 000750750 km2 (290 sq mi) | 0007266072,660 | Morne Diablotins 1,447 metres (4,747 ft) |
|
| Saint Lucia | Saint Lucia | Hewanorra | Castries | Castries | 000616616 km2 (238 sq mi) | 00173765173,765 | Mount Gimie 950 metres (3,120 ft) |
|
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yurumei | Kingstown | Kingstown | 000389389 km2 (150 sq mi) | 00120000120,000 | La Soufrière 1,234 metres (4,049 ft) |
|
| Grenada | Grenada | Camerhogne | St. Georges | St. Georges | 000344344 km2 (133 sq mi) | 00110000110,000 | Mount Saint Catherine 840 metres (2,760 ft) |
Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago do not consider themselves part of the Windward Islands. In addition, Barbados sits at 59 degrees (outside of 60–62 west definition), and Tobago at 11.9 degrees north (therefore south of the 12–16 degrees north area).
Read more about this topic: Windward Islands
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