or Lucaya, ISLANDS, are the easternmost of the Antilles, lying in the Atlantic ocean. They are situated to the south of Carolina, between 22 and 27 degrees N. Lat. and 73 and 81 degrees W. Long. They extend along the coast of Florida quite down to the isle of Cuba, and are said to be 500 in number, some of them only bare rocks; but twelve of them are large, fertile, and in nothing different from the soil of Carolina: only a few are inhabited. Providence, which is 200 miles east of the Floridas, is the seat of government; though some others are larger and more fertile, on which the English have plantations. Between them and the continent of Florida is the gulf of Bahama or Florida, through which the Spanish galleons sail in their passage to Europe.

These islands are the first fruits of Columbus's discoveries; but they were not known to the English till 1667, when Captain Seyle, being driven among them in his passage to Carolina, gave his name to one of them; and being a second time driven upon it, gave it the name of Providence. The English, observing the advantageous situation of these islands for being a check on the French and Spaniards, attempted to settle them in the reign of Charles II. Some unlucky accidents prevented this settlement from being of any advantage; and the isle of Providence became a harbour for the buccaneers or pirates, who for a long time infested the American navigation. This obliged the government in 1718 to send out Captain Woodes Rogers with a fleet to dislodge the pirates, and for making a settlement. This the captain effected; a fort was erected, and an independent company was stationed in the island. Ever since this last settlement these islands have been improving, though they advance but slowly. In 1773 there were 2052 white inhabitants, and 2241 blacks; but in 1803 the whole population was 14,318, of whom 11,395 were persons of colour and blacks. The Spaniards and Americans captured these islands during the last war; but they were retaken by a detachment from St Augustine, April 7, 1783. Cotton is now successfully cultivated; sugar does not succeed so well; but coffee, with oranges, lemons, and most of the tropical fruits, are raised in considerable quantities. Cattle and sheep thrive, and salt is procured in abundance from salt ponds.