Physical Geography

The Bahama Islands and most of Cuba consist of low-lying, relatively flat limestone and coral formations, much like those of Florida. Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, some of the Virgin Islands, and the southeastern part of Cuba are predominantly mountainous. They are the exposed parts of a largely submerged mountain chain extending east-west across the Caribbean Sea to Central America. Numerous peaks reach heights of 4,000 to 7,000 feet (1,200 to 2,100 m); the highest is Pico Duarte, 10,417 feet (3,175 m), in the Dominican Republic.

With a few exceptions, the Windward and Leeward Islands are the protruding summits of an underseas volcanic ridge, containing volcanic peaks and craters. They are mountainous and, in many respects, rank among the world's most scenic islands. The rest of the Lesser Antilles—those off the South American coast—are low and have little relief. Only on Trinidad and Margarita do mountains attain heights of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (600 to 900 m).

Their tropical location gives the West Indies a warm climate all year. Except at high elevations, temperatures normally average 75° to 85° F. (24° to 29° C.), with little variation seasonally and from night to day. Trade winds, blowing steadily from the northeast, are a tempering influence, particularly along the coasts.

The trade winds also bring large amounts of rainfall to the exposed, or windward, sides of the mountainous islands, especially along the north and northeast coasts. In such areas, more than 100 inches (2,500 mm) of rain may fall each year. Mountain-rimmed areas protected from the winds and the low-lying islands are surprisingly dry. Some areas receive large amounts of rain throughout the year; some have alternate wet and dry seasons; some have two wet and dry seasons each year. Occasionally, severe droughts occur where there is a distinct dry season. Hurricanes are a menace throughout the West Indies, especially from July through October.