Windward Islands, southern group of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies, curving generally southward for c.300 mi (480 km) from the Leeward Islands Leeward Islands (l

`ərd, ly
..... Click the link for more information. toward NE Venezuela. Excluding Barbados Barbados (bärbā`dōz), island state (2005 est. pop. 279,300), 166 sq mi (430 sq km), in the West Indies.
..... Click the link for more information. and Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (trĭn`ĭdăd, təbā`gō), officially Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, republic (2005 est. pop.
..... Click the link for more information. , which are in the region but are not part of the group, the Windward Islands consist of the French overseas dept. of Martinique Martinique (märtĭnēk`), overseas department and administrative region of France (2005 est. pop.
..... Click the link for more information. and the former

British Windward Islands (c.700 sq mi/1,810 sq km). The former British islands consist of the independent states of Dominica Dominica (dŏmĭnē`kə), officially Commonwealth of Dominica, republic (2005 est. pop.
..... Click the link for more information. , Grenada Grenada (grĭnā`də), independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations (2005 est. pop.
..... Click the link for more information. , Saint Lucia Saint Lucia (sānt l
..... Click the link for more information. , and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, island nation (2005 est. pop. 118,000), 150 sq mi (388 sq km), West Indies, in the Windward Islands. It comprises the island of Saint Vincent (140 sq mi/363 sq km) and about two thirds of the small Grenadine islands to the south.
..... Click the link for more information. .

Of volcanic origin, the islands are generally rugged, mountainous, and well forested, and they have many streams and lakes. With an equable climate, ample rainfall, and rich soil, they produce a variety of tropical agricultural crops for export, including bananas, spices, limes, and cacao. The islands are subject to hurricanes. Although small-scale manufacturing has gained importance, the most substantial change has been the growth of the tourist trade, which constitutes the region's economic mainstay. The deep and sheltered harbors encourage considerable interisland commerce. Fort-de-France Fort-de-France (fôr-də-fräNs), city (1999 pop. 94,049), capital of the French overseas dept. of Martinique , West Indies.
..... Click the link for more information. , on Martinique, and Castries Castries (kästrē`, käs`trēs), town (1991 pop. 11,147; 1991 metropolitan area pop.
..... Click the link for more information. , on Saint Lucia, are the islands' chief cities. The islands are largely inhabited by descendants of Africans, who were brought as slaves during the colonial period. The culture varies from island to island, but the French influence is particularly strong.

For some time after Columbus's exploration of the islands, they were largely ignored by Europeans and left to the indigenous Caribs. In the early 17th cent., colonization was undertaken by the British and the French; settlements and sovereignty overlapped. The long struggle for dominance in the islands was a significant part of the worldwide Anglo-French conflict. Several naval battles were fought there; in 1782, off Saint Lucia, the French Admiral de Grasse was defeated by Admiral Rodney. In the Napoleonic Wars the islands traded hands, and it was only after the close of the conflict that Britain established its dominance over them.

Windward Islands

Island group, Lesser Antilles, West Indies. Located at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, they include Dominica (sometimes classified as part of the Leeward Islands), Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, and the chain of small islands known as the Grenadines. Though near the general area, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados are usually not considered part of the group.