Windward Islands Barbados Barbados is different from the other islands of the Caribbean. It is 100 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. And while most Caribbean islands were formed by volcanic activity, Barbados is a relatively flat island whose base is coral and limestone. It is also a fairly urban place; more than four-fifths of its 275,000 people live near the capital of Bridgetown. Most of the island's beaches are public, and many are accessible from the road; thus, those who want to go to the beach do not have to cross hotel property to get there. Golf is a popular pastime; the island has a variety of courses to choose from. Official language: English. Dominica Because the interior of Dominica is still dense jungle, it has few roads. It was this aspect of its geography that prevented the island from being settled by Europeans in large numbers. Today, Dominica is the last refuge of the Caribs, the native people who lives in the Caribbean before European contact. The island has many fine uncrowded black-sand beaches, as well as some with white and brown sand. Skin Diver magazine has named Dominica one of the world's top 10 diving destinations. Some of the best diving is found at the underwater volcanic crater located in Soufriere Scottshead Marine Reserve. On land, hikers will find the trails through the island's national parks suitable to any skill level. One of the most popular destinations on the island is Emerald Pool, a green-colored body of water fed by a 50-foot waterfall. At Morne Trois Pitions National Park lies a 200-foot-wide lake heated up to nearly boiling temperatures by the gases escaping from molten rock below. Dominica received its independence from Britain in 1978. Official language is English, though many islanders speak Creole. Grenada Grenada, called the Isle of Spice for the nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices grown here, is the southernmost island in the Windward chain. The island is becoming a tourist favorite, in part because of its 45 beaches, many located in little coves. Boating is also very popular here, and there are many marinas, particular around the capital, St. George's. There, it is possible to rent a sailboat or yacht, with or without a crew, for a romantic island cruise. On land, visitors may wish to tour a spice estate or a nutmeg processing facility. Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve has plenty of hiking trails and fishing streams. Located in the park is the 36-acre Grand Etang Lake, which occupies the crater of an extinct volcano. The country was controlled by the Spanish, French, and British; it received its independence from Britain in 1974. In 1983, Grenada was the site of an intervention by American troops. Official language: English. St. Lucia This island was the site of a political tug-of-war between the French and the English in its early days. It eventually came under British control at the beginning of the 19th century. Most visitors to St. Lucia stay at the large resorts on the north of the island. In the south are jungles and banana plantations. All beaches on the island are public, but some on the west side of the island are accessible only by boat. There are a number of popular diving and snorkeling spots around the island. A 165-foot freighter deliberately sunk near Anse Cochon serves as an artificial reef that is home to a variety of coral, barrel sponges, seahorses, stingrays, and sea turtles. St. Lucia is an independent state within the British Commonwealth. Official language: English, but many people speak a French Creole patois. St. Vincent & the Grenadines The country of St. Vincent & the Grenadines occupies 33 islands near the south of the Windward chain. Most of the people live on St. Vincent, where the major crop is bananas. The beaches on these islands are relatively unspoiled, and many of the beaches, especially on the Grenadines, may be nearly deserted. St. Vincent's is home to La Soufriere, an active volcano. Experienced hikers who make the trip on a sunny day will be rewarded with breathtaking views. Official language: English. Trinidad and Tobago These islands (sometimes called T&T) just off the coast of South America are the southernmost of the Antilles chain. Trinidad owes much of its prosperity to the oil industry, and its capital, Port-of-Spain, is an active commercial center. The way of life on Tobago, 22 miles from its neighbor, is somewhat slower. The beaches on Tobago are considered to be nicer than those on Trinidad. T&T are said to be one of the top places in the world for bird watching -- there are more than 430 species of bird here. There are several bird sanctuaries, including the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, home to Trinidad's national bird, the scarlet ibis. The fish and coral of Tobago are fed by the nutrients that are carried by the Guyana current from the Orinoco River in South America. Thus, the area around the island is popular with divers. Divers who visit the reefs off the island's northeast coast may encounter manta rays. Official language: English, though because 40 percent of the population is of East Indian heritage, Hindi is quite common. |
