Windward Islands

Meanings

1. The southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, composed of the island nations of Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.
2. The eastern islands of the Society Islands (French Polynesia), composed of Tahiti, Moorea and several private or small uninhabited islands.

Etymology

Called windward because the prevailing winds in the area blow from east to west. Thus, the easternmost Windward Islands are upwind of the Leeward Islands, and are the islands of the Lesser Antilles that first meet the trade winds coming from the east.