West Indies

west in'dez, an archipelago between North and South America. The islands extend in a long curve from a point midway between Yucatan and Florida to a point near the South American mainland. They inclose the Caribbean Sea, separating it from the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic. When first reached by Columbus they were supposed to be outlying islands of southeastern Asia. As they were reached by sailing westward they were called the West Indies and their inhabitants were called Indians. The climate is tropical. The chief products are sugar, tobacco, and coffee. From June to October the entire region is subject to sweeping hurricanes. See articles on CUBA; HAITI; PORTO RICO; JAMAICA; BAHAMAS; CARIBBEAN, etc.