LA REUNION(Reunion Island)

LOCATION AND SIZE Reunion has an area 969 sq. miles(38 mi. long, 29 mi. wide). located 500m West of Madagascar(130 mi. SW of Mauritius) in the Indian Ocean as a part of Africa Often called a sister to the Hawaiian islands because of its volcanic presence on one of Earth’s hotspots. But no where near Hawaii. haha Overseas department of France and the largest of the Mascarene Islands.Highest Point: Piton des Neiges(10,069ft), Lowest Point: Indian Ocean(0ft) No bordering countries (freaking island dude)

• 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• Same holidays as France• Le Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak) is

one of the world’s most active volcanoes (last eruption being in 2004) and stretches 2,631 meters tall and is one of the main attractions of the island.

• Le Piton des Neiges (Snow Peak) is the highest point on the island and hasn’t been active for 20,000 years but unfortunately THERE IS NO SNOW. :(

OTHER STUFF…

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.

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.

• 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.

ULTIMATE VACATION SPOT

CUISINEReunionese 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.