Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of the sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados, coral reefs fringe the Barboados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. Along the East Coast lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore.
If you fly to the island of St Thomas, you land at its western end; if you arrive by cruise ship, you come into one of hte world's most beautiful harbors. Either way, one of your first sights is the town of Charlote Amalie From the harbor you see an idyllic-looking village that spreads into the lower hills.
Tortola is the largest of the more than 50 islands comprising the British Virgin Islands. Mountain peaks covered with frangipani and sage characterize its southern coast, while its northern shores display white sandy beaches, groves of bananas and mangoes and clusters of palm trees.
Antigua (pronounced An-tee gah) is a perfect island for vacationers. Christopher Columbus was the first European to land on the island. He named Antigua in 1493. Inhabited by the Carib tribe, the island was not successfully colonized until 1632, when the British established a settlement.
Grenada was discovered in 1498 by Christopher Columbus. Because of the hostility of the indigenous Carib People, the island remainded uncolonized until 1650, when the French founded Saint George's. The British captured the island in 1762. It was recaptured by the French in 1779, but was ceded to Britain in 1783.
Dominica is a republic in the West Indies approximately halfway between the islands of Guadeloupe (on the north) and Martinique (on the south). One of the Windward Islands, Dominica is 47 km (29 miles) ling and has an area of 750 sq km (289 sq miles).
