The name ( which is occasionally misspelled `` Macronesia '' in analogy with Micronesia ) is derived from the Greek words for `` islands of the fortunate '' μακάρων νῆσοι makárōn nêsoi , a term used by Ancient Greek geographers for islands to the west of the Straits of Gibraltar .
This term was used by Ancient Greek geographers for islands to the west of the Strait of Gibraltar .