Antilles

an-til' lez, the curved chain of large and small islands forming the outer boundary of the Caribbean Sea. It sweeps from Cuba around to the coast of Venezuela, including practically the whole of the West Indies except the Bahamas. Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Haiti are called the Greater Antilles. They appear to consist largely of primitive rock. The Lesser Antilles are largely of coral and volcanic formation. They include a large number of groups. Sailors call the northern part of the chain the Leeward Islands; the southern part, the Windward Islands. The plants, animals, and industries resemble those of Central America. Farther information may be found under WEST INDIES and the names of the more important islands.