What is the difference between Leeward and Windward Islands?

What is the difference between Leeward and Windward Islands?

An island’s windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island’s leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains. Thus, an island’s windward side is wetter and more verdant than its drier leeward side.

Which island is located with in the Leeward Islands of the French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean?

Bora-Bora
Bora-Bora, volcanic island, Îles Sous le Vent (Leeward Islands), in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. It lies in the central South Pacific Ocean, about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Tahiti.

Which islands make up the Leeward and Windward Islands?

When the British gained control of many of the Lesser Antilles, they designated Antigua, Montserrat and the islands to the north as the ‘Leeward Islands’. Guadeloupe and the islands to the south were designated as the ‘Windward Islands’. Later on, all islands north of Martinique became known as the Leeward Islands.

Is Tahiti a windward Isle?

Tahiti, largest island of the Îles du Vent (Windward Islands) of the Society Islands, French Polynesia, in the central South Pacific Ocean.

Where are the Polynesia islands?

Pacific Ocean
Polynesia encompasses a huge triangular area of the east-central Pacific Ocean. The triangle has its apex at the Hawaiian Islands in the north and its base angles at New Zealand (Aotearoa) in the west and Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the east.

How many islands are in Polynesia?

Commonly referred to as The Islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia is a collection of 118 islands and atolls scattered across an impressive nautical surface area the size of Western Europe. Still, these tiny islands—many of which remain uninhabited—make up a total landmass of only 1,600 square miles (4,100 sq. km).

Is Barbados Leeward or Windward?

The Windward Islands comprise Barbados, Grenada, the Grenadines, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago and Trinidad, which are among the larger of the Lesser Antilles islands. They are referred to as the Windward Islands due to their location on the path of Northeastern trade winds.

Which are the Leeward Islands?

The Leeward Islands are composed of the many smaller islands that make up the Lesser Antilles, including Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, Redonda, Saba, St. Barts, Saint Kitts, Saint Martin, Sint Eustatius, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Is Trinidad a windward or leeward island?

What are the Windward Islands of Polynesia?

As soon as there are islands and wind, there is a “windward” coast, so we also speak of the Windward Islands in Polynesia, Cape Verde or Hawaii. In French Polynesia, the islands of the society are spread over 720 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean and 1680 km2 of land.

Where are the Leeward Islands?

The Leeward Islands are an integral part of the Society archipelago, which includes the Windward Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiaroa) on the east and the Leeward Islands on the west. Over an area of about 400Km and a population of 35000 inhabitants, there are a total of 8 islands: 5 high islands and 4 atolls.

What are the Windward Islands known for?

The Windward Islands are a sailor’s paradise. The steady winds and trade winds ensure exhilarating sailing. The anchorages are calm and offer extraordinary sunsets. The climate is mild all year round, the inhabitants are friendly and the food extraordinary. Diamond Rock, Martinique.

Where are the Polynesian islands located?

In French Polynesia, the islands of the society are spread over 720 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean and 1680 km2 of land. They are divided into two, the Windward Islands (Windward) and the Leeward Islands (Leeward). To the east, the Windward Islands protect the Leeward Islands from the trade winds coming from the southeast.