Ruqayyah Snyder
Réunion Island, a French overseas department and region, is located in the Indian Ocean about 420-422 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110-180 km (109-175 mi) southwest of Mauritius. The island, which is almost elliptical in shape, covers an area of 2,511 sq. km and has a population of about 874,000-896,175 people as of 2022. Its capital and largest city, Saint-Denis, is located on the northern coast and is home to about one-fifth of the island's total population. Réunion is known for its rugged mountains, active volcanoes, and varied terrain, offering a range of vacation opportunities for adventurers and relaxation seekers alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Reunion Island is an island in the Indian Ocean, located about 680 km east of Madagascar and 175-180 km southwest of Mauritius. It is part of the Mascarene Islands and is a French overseas department and region. |
| Geography | Reunion Island covers an area of 2,511 sq. km and is almost elliptical in shape, about 40 miles (65 km) long and 30 miles (50 km) wide. The island is of volcanic origin and consists mostly of rugged mountains dissected by short rivers. The highest point is Piton des Neiges volcano, at 3,069 meters. The island also features an active shield volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, in the eastern part. |
| Climate | The island experiences a tropical climate with a rainy season from January to February and a dry season from May to early November. The southeast trade winds bring abundant rainfall to the south and east, while the north and west sides are drier. |
| Population | The population of Reunion Island is approximately 874,000-896,175 as of 2022. The capital and largest city is Saint-Denis, located on the northern coast, and it is home to about one-fifth of the total population. The population is predominantly of mixed descent (African, European, and South Asian), and the official languages are French and Réunion Creole. |
| History | Reunion Island was uninhabited until it was settled by colonists from France and Madagascar in the 17th century. The island was used for sugar plantations worked by slaves imported from Africa. Slavery was abolished on the island in 1848, and it became an overseas department of France in 1946. |
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What You'll Learn
Reunion Island is a French overseas department
Reunion Island, located in the western Indian Ocean, is a French overseas department and region. It is approximately 680 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius. Reunion Island has been inhabited since the 17th century when it was settled by colonists from France and Madagascar. The island was ruled by France as a colony until 1946 when it became an overseas department of France. It gained the status of a French region in 1974.
As an overseas department of France, Reunion elects seven deputies to the French National Assembly and three to four senators to the Senate. The island is administered by an appointed prefect and an elected Departmental Council. Reunion is simultaneously administered as a French overseas region, with its administrative functions coordinated by a regional council that oversees social and economic development policies. The Reunionese are full citizens of France, and French is the language of instruction in schools. However, the most commonly used language on the island is Creole.
Reunion Island has a tropical climate and a diverse landscape. It is home to an active volcano, the Piton de la Fournaise, which is a major tourist attraction and has been active several times since 1925. The island also offers 17 miles of beaches along its west coast and mountains and forests for hiking and exploration. The capital of Reunion Island is Saint-Denis, located on the northern coast, and it is home to about one-fifth of the island's population.
The island has a high population density, and its economy has traditionally been based on the cultivation of sugarcane. In recent times, tourism and financial aid from France have also become important to the economy. Reunion Island is a key French military base in the Indian Ocean, with a significant military presence due to its strategic location.
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It is located in the Indian Ocean
Reunion Island is located in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the Mascarene Islands and a French overseas department. The island is about 680 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius. Reunion Island is almost elliptical in shape, about 65 km long and 50 km wide. The capital, Saint-Denis, is located on the northern coast of the island.
The island was uninhabited until it was settled by French colonists in the 17th century. Reunion was used as a layover station for ships of the French East India Company rounding the Cape of Good Hope en route to India. The island was renamed Réunion in the 18th century, having previously been known as Île Bourbon.
Reunion Island has a tropical climate and a varied terrain, featuring an active volcano on its south coast and 17 miles of beaches in the west. The island is also home to mountains and forests, offering a range of vacation opportunities for visitors. The waters surrounding the island are generally warm and pleasant, with the occasional tropical storm. The island goes through a rainy season between January and February, and the weather can become quite humid during this time.
The official language of Reunion Island is French, and the majority of the population also speaks Réunion Creole. The island has a high population density, with about one-fifth of the population living in the capital city of Saint-Denis. Reunion Island is a remote and intriguing destination, offering a unique mix of adventure activities and relaxing vacation options for travellers.
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The island has a tropical climate
Reunion Island is a French department in the southwest Indian Ocean, situated about 680 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius. The island is a tropical paradise, with a climate that provides an appealing escape from the European winter. Its weather plays a significant role in attracting tourists, particularly during the southern hemisphere's winter months.
The island's tropical climate is characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. From April to October, moisture-laden southeast trade winds dominate, bringing abundant rainfall to the south and east of the island. The annual rainfall in these regions ranges from 160 to 315 inches (4,000 to 8,000 mm). In contrast, the north and west sides of the island experience significantly less rainfall, with only about 25 inches (635 mm) of rain per year.
During the summer months, Reunion experiences higher rainfall, with an average monthly total of up to 279.3 mm. The island's tropical cyclone season also contributes to the increased rainfall during this period. Additionally, the temperatures in summer can be very high, with a mean daily maximum temperature of 30.2°C, and individual daily maximum temperatures reaching as high as 35.2°C. These high temperatures, coupled with the heavy rainfall, can make the summer climate in Reunion unsuitable and potentially dangerous for unacclimatised travellers from colder regions.
On the other hand, the winter months in Reunion offer more favourable weather conditions. From July to August, the island experiences cooler temperatures, with a mean monthly daytime maximum of 25.4-25.5°C, and relatively lower total monthly rainfall of 50.9-54.8 mm. These milder temperatures and reduced rainfall make it an ideal time for tourists to engage in outdoor activities and explore the island's natural beauty.
The tropical climate of Reunion Island supports a diverse landscape, featuring rugged mountains, waterfalls, and sunny skies. The island boasts an active volcano on its south coast, along with 17 miles of warm, inviting beaches in the west. The varied terrain offers a range of vacation opportunities, from adventurous hikes and canyoning to relaxing beach getaways. Reunion's unique "'cirques" and clear waters also provide opportunities for scuba diving and surfing, catering to travellers seeking a blend of adrenaline and relaxation.
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Reunion Island is volcanic in origin
Reunion Island is a French overseas department located in the western Indian Ocean, about 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110 miles (180 km) southwest of Mauritius. Reunion Island is a volcanic island with particularly intense volcanic activity. Reunion consists mostly of rugged mountains in an advanced state of dissection by short torrential rivers. The west-central area contains a mountain massif with three summits exceeding 9,000 feet (2,740 meters), including the Piton des Neiges, which rises to 10,069 feet (3,069 meters). Piton de la Fournaise, located on Reunion Island, is an active volcano and is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is known for its frequent eruptions, with a mean time between eruptions of 10 months over the last two centuries and at least 125 recorded eruptions during the last century.
The volcano shapes the entire southern part of the island, and its lava flows can be seen along the coast on the "Lava Road." The Piton de La Fournaise occupies a large part of Reunion Island, about 40% of its surface area, and is accessible to hikers when it is not in an eruptive phase. The Plaine des Sables, located on the climb to the summit of Piton de la Fournaise, is a long, arid stretch of volcanic rock in shades of red and ochre, resembling a lunar landscape. Reunion Island also features lava tunnels formed by cooling lava, which can be explored with guided tours.
The frequent volcanic activity on Reunion Island has led to the development of an observatory for monitoring eruptions, located about 15 km (9 miles) from the summit of Piton de la Fournaise. This observatory is directed by the Institut Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) and includes seismic, deformation, magnetic, and radon measurements. The volcanic nature of Reunion Island also contributes to the formation of black sand beaches and unique landscapes where steep black basalt cliffs contrast with lush green vegetation.
In addition to Piton de la Fournaise, there are other volcanoes on Reunion Island, although not all of them are active. The Piton des Neiges, located in the central part of the island, is an extinct volcano. Reunion Island's volcanic origin and ongoing activity present both risks and attractions for visitors and residents, shaping the geography, terrain, and natural features of this intriguing island destination.
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The island was uninhabited until the 17th century
Réunion Island is a French overseas department and overseas region in the western Indian Ocean, about 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110 miles (180 km) southwest of Mauritius. The island is of volcanic origin and consists mostly of rugged mountains dissected by short torrential rivers.
The French East India Company established a layover station for ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope en route to India. Slave labourers from East Africa were brought in to work on plantations, and later Malays, Annamites, Chinese, and Malabar Indians were imported as indentured labourers. The island's colonial history is characterised by the racial mixing of these populations, with the first settlers marrying women from Madagascar and of Indo-Portuguese heritage. Today, the greatest proportion of the population is of mixed African, European, and South Asian descent.
The island became an overseas department of France in 1946, and the Réunionese are full citizens of France. French is the official language and the language of instruction in schools, while the language in common use is Réunion French Creole. The island's economy has been largely based on sugar for over a century, with sugarcane production and processing contributing significantly to its economy. Income from tourism is Réunion's primary economic resource, with the island offering a range of vacation opportunities, from relaxing on its beaches to more adventurous activities like hiking and scuba diving.
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Frequently asked questions
Reunion Island is located in the Indian Ocean. It is part of the Mascarene Islands and is about 680 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius.
Reunion Island is an overseas department and region of France. Reunion was uninhabited until French immigrants and colonial subjects settled the island in the 17th century.
The capital of Reunion Island is Saint-Denis, located on the northern coast of the island. Saint-Denis is also the largest city on the island and serves as the principal administrative centre.
The official language of Reunion Island is French. However, the language most commonly used on the island is Reunion Creole.
Reunion Island offers a range of activities for vacationers, from relaxing on the beaches in the west to more adventurous activities such as hiking, canyoning, scuba diving, and surfing.
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