<P> Between 1958 and 1962, the United Kingdom re-organised all their West Indies island territories (except the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas) into the West Indies Federation . They hoped that the Federation would coalesce into a single, independent nation . However, the Federation had limited powers, numerous practical problems, and a lack of popular support; consequently, it was dissolved by the British in 1963, with nine provinces becoming independent sovereign states and four becoming British Overseas Territories . </P> <P> West Indies or West India was the namesake of several companies of the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Danish West India Company, the Dutch West India Company, the French West India Company, and the Swedish West India Company . </P> <P> West Indian is the official term used by the U.S. government to refer to people of the West Indies </P> <P> Tulane University professor Rosanne Adderly says: </P>

Where does the term west indian come from