词条 | Leeward Islands |
释义 | Leeward Islands islands, Cape Verde Portuguese Ilhas De Sotavento, island group in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of western Africa, constituting one of two distritos (“districts”) of Cape Verde and consisting of the following islands: Brava (Brava Island), Fogo (Fogo Island), Maio (Maio Island), and São Tiago (São Tiago Island) (qq.v.). The islands are of volcanic origin and have a tropical climate. Rainfall is scarce, and drought is a constant problem. islands, West Indies French Îles Sous le Vent, Spanish Islas de Sotavento ![]() The Virgin Islands are part of a submerged mountain chain, like the other islands of the Greater Antilles. Areas of Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, and eastern Guadeloupe consist of formations of coral limestone, whereas the small chain from Saint Kitts to Montserrat forms a volcanic ridge; the volcano Soufrière on Guadeloupe is the highest mountain in the Lesser Antilles (at 4,813 feet 【1,467 metres】). The climate of the Leeward Islands is drier than that farther south but does vary from region to region and in different parts of a single island; rainfall increases with elevation and in more southerly latitudes. Trade winds ameliorate the tropical heat. Hurricanes occur occasionally from June to October. The population of the Leewards is predominantly of African descent. Tourism is a leading source of income and seasonally brings in a large number of visitors, a significant part of whom are from mainland North America and Europe. |
随便看 |
|
百科全书收录100133条中英文百科知识,基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识,是一部内容开放、自由的电子版百科全书。