Windward Islands

Windward Islands, a line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles. 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 Vincent and Grenada, the chain of small islands known as the Grenadines.

Though the islands of Trinidad and Tobago geologically are an extension of the South American mainland, they are often considered to constitute the southern end of the Windward group. Similarly, Barbados (east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) is not physiographically part of the chain but is usually grouped with the Windward Islands. 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. On May 8, 1902, the eruption of Mount Pelée on Martinique was one of the most destructive in modern history, killing about 30,000 people.

The climate of the Windwards is marine, and the extreme tropical heat is greatly tempered by the steady trade winds and daily sea breezes. A dry season alternates with a wet season, with the eastern sides of the islands receiving more rainfall because of the prevailing northeasterly trade winds. Hurricanes are a threat from June to October.

The population is predominantly black or of mixed ethnicity, with an admixture of East Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, French, and British.