antilles

Thân thiện

The map shows the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.

Definition

Proper noun: * The Antilles: A major archipelago, or group of islands, forming the greater part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. The Antilles are conventionally divided into the Greater Antilles (larger islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico) and the Lesser Antilles (a long arc of smaller islands to the southeast).

Usage

• The word "Antilles" is almost always used with the definite article "the" (e.g., ).
• It functions as a geographical name for the region.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Christopher Columbus's first voyage landed in the Antilles.
  • The culture of the Antilles is a vibrant mix of African, European, and indigenous influences.
  • Hurricanes frequently pass through the Lesser Antilles during the Atlantic season.

Advanced Usage

• In historical/colonial context: The term is often used when discussing European colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and the plantation economies of the Caribbean.
  • Sugar production dominated the economies of many islands in the Antilles during the 18th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Antillean (adjective): Of or relating to the Antilles.
  • Antillean cuisine is known for its bold flavors.
• Greater Antilles (proper noun): The subgroup comprising the four largest islands.
• Lesser Antilles (proper noun): The subgroup comprising the smaller islands, further divided into the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands.

Synonyms

• The Caribbean Islands: This is a broader term that may include the Bahamas and the coasts of surrounding nations, but it is often used synonymously with the Antilles in general context.
• The West Indies: A historical term largely synonymous with the Antilles, though its usage is less precise in modern geography.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a group of islands in the West Indies

Từ đồng nghĩa

• antilles