| 1. | Also called the Indies. an archipelago in the N Atlantic between North and South America, comprising the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas. |
| 2. | Federation of. Also called West Indies Federation. a former federation (1958–62) of the British islands in the Caribbean, comprising Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Windward and Leeward island colonies. |
| West Indies Federation A group of ten former British colonies in the West Indies, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados. It was established in 1958 and slated for independence in 1962 but broke up in May 1962 because of economic disagreements among the members. Some of the islands later formed the British-sponsored West Indies Associated States, which was gradually disbanded as the islands achieved independence in the 1970s and early 1980s. |
Archipelago between North America and South America curving from southern Florida to Venezuela.
Note: It is a popular resort area.
Note: Several of the islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492.