Introduction
The Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean have had a chequered colonial past. They changed hands between France, Spain and England as these powers sought to extend their influence in the New World. The 20th century saw the Windwards move from being British dependent colonies to self-governing states and then to full independence in the 1970's.
The four Islands are volcanic, with steep central hillsides sloping down to white sandy beaches. They form, together with the Leeward Islands chain, an eastern barrier between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. For a map showing the location of the Windward Isles click here.
As well as having a thriving tourist industry, the Windwards is a major exporter of bananas, providing over 10% of the 4.9 billion bananas consumed by the UK's population every year.
Bananas are the single largest item sold by UK supermarkets and this income is vital to the economic future of the Windwards. It is also an ideal crop for Windward farmers as bananas are harvested 12 months of the year, providing them with a regular monthly income.
The sun shines in the Windwards for most of the year and, with a minimum temperature of 19.5oC, it is an ideal destination for sun starved Northern European holidaymakers. Rainfall varies between 100mm from January to June and 400mm between September and November. The climate is not only suited to banana production but also to growing yams, dasheen, mangoes and coconuts.