Reunion is a French overseas department located in the Indian Ocean west of Madagascar. It has a population of around 766,000 and its capital and largest city is Saint-Denis. Culturally, Reunion is influenced by France as well as neighboring regions like Mozambique, India, and Madagascar. The island has a predominantly Catholic population and uses the euro as its currency. Reunion's economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly sugarcane, and its tourism industry is a major driver of employment. Volcanic peaks and beaches make Reunion an popular destination for activities like hiking, surfing, and watersports.
2. OTHER STUFF…
• Population: Around 766,000
•Capital: Saint-Denis (around 146,000)
•Other Major Cities: (Most of La Reunion’s
cities are named after saints) Saint-Pierre,
Saint-Joseph, Saint-Philippe, Le Port, and
Saint-Louis.
•Major Rivers: Galets, Marsouins, and
Remparts
•Cultural Influences: France, Mozambique,
India, China, Madagascar, and the Comores
•Languages: French (official) and Creole
•Flag: Same as France
•Religions: 86% are Roman Catholic.
Others are Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist
LOCATION AND SIZE •Same holidays as France
Reunion has an area 969 sq. miles(38 mi. long, •Le Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak) is
29 mi. wide). one of the world’s most active volcanoes
(last eruption being in 2004) and stretches
located 500m West of Madagascar(130 mi. SW of
2,631 meters tall and is one of the main
Mauritius) in the Indian Ocean as a part of Africa
attractions of the island.
Often called a sister to the Hawaiian islands
•Le Piton des Neiges (Snow Peak) is the
because of its volcanic presence on one of Earth’s
highest point on the island and hasn’t been
hotspots. But no where near Hawaii. haha
active for 20,000 years but unfortunately
Overseas department of France and the largest of
THERE IS NO SNOW. :(
the Mascarene Islands.
Highest Point: Piton des Neiges(10,069ft), Lowest
Point: Indian Ocean(0ft)
No bordering countries (freaking island dude)
3. A LIL HISTORY
•Founded by Portuguese but claimed by France in 1643 who used it to exile
French convicts.
•Initially named Bourbon, after their king, when a colony was first
established in 1662.
•Started with 20 settlers, but after coffee and spices began to be produced
more French people migrate to the island.
• Renamed to La Reunion in 1793, in 1946 officially became 1 of the 4
overseas departments of France, and in 1971 became an administrative
region.
•But was occupied by the British from 1810 to 1815.
4. ECONOMY
It has an agriculture-based economy with the sugarcane being its
primary crop for a while now. The sugarcane accounts for 85% of
its net exports.
Its labor force consists of: 73% in services (tourism), 19% in
industry, and 8% agriculture.
Currency- Euro( and was the first place in the world to use it
because of time zones).
More than 60% of its population receives social welfare benefits
because of increasing unemployment.
5. ULTIMATE VACATION SPOT
• Adrenaline sports: hand gliding paragliding,
kayaking, rafting, sea water sports, like surfing
and snorkeling, and sky diving.
•The islands volcanic rough and unpredictable
terrain offers excellent mountain biking and
trekking which is just a fancy word for hiking. ;]
• Its beaches are some of the most famous in the
world. Saint-Louis offers premier surfing and
yachting is very popular too.
6. CUISINE
Reunionese cuisine is composed of foods from all the
cultures that make up its population. One of its most
popular dishes is the “cari” which is a Creole dish which is
similar to the Indian “curry”. Most of the country’s foods
are based on caris, rice, beans, and rougails which is their
form of salsa.