Leeward Islands

Leeward Islands, chain of islands in the West Indies, at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The islands are called the Leeward Islands because they are located on the lee, or opposite side from, the prevailing westward trade winds and are therefore sheltered. The northernmost extremity of the islands lies approximately at latitude 18° North; the southern extremity lies at about latitude 16° North. The approximate easternmost and westernmost limits of the islands are delineated by longitude 61° West and longitude 65° West, respectively. The area of the Leeward Islands is 3,300 sq km (1,300 sq mi). The principal islands are Antigua, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Virgin Islands.

Politically, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis are independent members of the Commonwealth of Nations, while the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, and Montserrat are dependencies of the United Kingdom. Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France, consists of two islands (Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre) and five dependencies. Part of Saint Martin and all of Saint Eustatius and Saba islands make up the northern group of the Netherlands Antilles. Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix make up the Virgin Islands of the United States.