<P> The Leeward Islands / ˈliːwərd / are a group of islands situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean . On a map, they start with the Virgin Islands east of Puerto Rico and reach southeast to Dominica . In English, the term Leeward Islands refers to the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain . The more southerly part of this chain, starting with Martinique, is called the Windward Islands . </P> <P> The name of this island group, Leeward Islands, dates from previous centuries, when sailing ships were the sole form of transportation across the Atlantic Ocean . In sailing terminology, "windward" means towards the source of the wind, while "leeward" is the opposite direction . In the West Indies, the prevailing winds, known as the trade winds, blow out of the southeast . Therefore, an island to the northwest, such as Puerto Rico, would typically be leeward of an island to the southeast, such as Antigua, and conversely, Antigua would typically be windward of Puerto Rico, but leeward of Guadeloupe and Martinique . </P> <P> The early Spanish colonizers called Puerto Rico and the islands to the west Sotavento, meaning leeward . The islands to the south and east of Puerto Rico were then called Islas de Barlovento, meaning "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 . Thus, Dominica is the southernmost Leeward island . </P>

Where did the leeward islands get their name