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This wildly beautiful and rugged volcanic island (with a very active volcano), was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century.
In 1643 it was claimed by the French. They named it Bourbon and established their first colony here in 1662. In the years that followed, slaves from Africa were imported to work the sugar plantations.
The island was renamed Reunion in 1793, and it remained a French colony, except for a brief British occupation from 1810 to 1815.
Over time, French immigration, supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians, gave the island its ethnic mix.
The island's economy is dominated by the sugarcane industry, and its main exports include sugar, seafood, rum, and vanilla. Tourism, especially from Europe, is a significant economic factor.
Additional Information
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- Official Name Reunion, (an overseas department of France
- Population 766,000
- Capital City Saint-Denis (146,000)
- Electricity 220V - 50Hz
- Currency Euro
- Currency Converter
- Languages French (official), Creole
- National Day 14 July; Bastille Day
- Religions Catholic, Hindu, Muslim
- Measuring System Metric
- Time Zone GMT/UTC +4
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- Land Area 2,510 sq km (969 sq miles)
- Highest Point Piton des Neiges, 10,069 ft. (3,069 m)
- Lowest Point Indian Ocean, 0 ft. (0 m)
- Land Divisions 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons.
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| Reunion is quite mountainous, and volcanic in origin. |
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- Latitude/Longitude 21° 06' S, 55° 36' E
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Travel Recommendations Before finalizing and/or making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate and research all of the important details regarding applicable health, passport and visa requirements.
If you require additional assistance, the experienced professionals at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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Reunion has a tropical climate, one cooled by southeasterly trade winds. Those winds help supply copious rainfall, and also drive an occasional cyclone into the area. The rainy season runs November through March.
Daily highs in the mid 80s are commonplace, and overall, mean temperatures average in the high 70s; with slightly cooler conditions in the higher elevations.
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A stylish young African girl...
A beautiful African moon rise...
A couple of giraffes enjoying the sunset... |
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