Leeward Antilles facts for kids
.jpg)
.jpg)
The Leeward Antilles (also called Benedenwindse Eilanden in Dutch) are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. They are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, located just north of the coast of Venezuela in South America.
It's important not to confuse the Leeward Antilles with the Leeward Islands. Even though both are part of the Lesser Antilles, the Leeward Islands are located further northeast.
Contents
How the Islands Formed
Most of the Leeward Antilles islands do not have active volcanoes. These islands were created along the southern edge of the Caribbean Plate. This happened when the Caribbean Plate slowly pushed under the South American Plate.
Recent studies show that these islands are slowly becoming connected to South America. This process is called accretion.
Islands of the Leeward Antilles
The Leeward Antilles include many islands, stretching roughly from west to east. Here are the main groups:
ABC Islands
The ABC islands are a well-known part of the Leeward Antilles. They belong to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- Aruba: This is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- Bonaire: Bonaire is a special public body of the Netherlands proper.
- Curaçao: Like Aruba, Curaçao is also a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Federal Dependencies of Venezuela
These islands are part of Venezuela. They are managed directly by the Venezuelan government.
- La Blanquilla Island
- La Orchila Island
- La Sola Island
- La Tortuga Island
- Las Aves Archipelago
- Los Frailes Archipelago
- Los Hermanos Archipelago
- Los Monjes Archipelago
- Los Roques Archipelago
- Los Testigos Islands
- Patos Island
Nueva Esparta State (Venezuela)
These three islands form a state within Venezuela called Nueva Esparta.
- Coche Island
- Cubagua Island
- Margarita Island
See also
In Spanish: Islas de Sotavento para niños
