2/ The Lesser Antilles form the distinctive arc of islands that extends from Puerto Rico south and is divided into three island groups.
1. The Leeward Islands
2. The Windward Islands
3. The Leeward Antilles (confusing!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_Antilles
In total there are 8 independent nations and many dependent territories.
It's complicated, as we shall see.