Réunion

Réunion, overseas department and administrative region of France, largest of the Mascarene island group in the Indian Ocean, south-east of Madagascar. The island is volcanic in origin and is mountainous, with an area of 2,511 sq km (970 sq mi). The highest peak, Piton des Neiges, rises 3,069 m (10,069 ft) above sea level. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season lasting from November to April; the island is subject to destructive tropical storms. The island's economy is dominated by the cultivation of sugar cane. The principal exports are sugar, rum, vanilla, and perfume essences. The capital of Réunion is Saint-Denis, a port on the northern coast. The island has a population of 793,000 (2007 estimate), at an average density of 318 per sq km (824 per sq mi). The inhabitants are mainly of mixed African, Asian, French, and Creole descent, and about 95 per cent are Roman Catholic. Réunion Creole French is the main language of the majority of the island’s inhabitants; French also holds official language status and is the first language of a small percentage of the population. Tamil is also spoken.

The island was uninhabited when it was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Pedro de Mascarenhas during the early 16th century. In 1643 it was claimed by the French, who named it Bourbon and established the first colony here in 1662; slaves were brought from Africa to work the sugar plantations. The island was renamed Réunion in 1793. It remained a French colony, except for a brief British occupation from 1810 to 1815. After slavery was abolished in 1848, indentured servants were brought to the island from India and south-eastern Asia. Réunion became an overseas department of France in 1946 and an administrative region in 1974. It sends five deputies and three senators to the French National Assembly. Local government is maintained by the 49-member General Council and the 45-member Regional Council, each elected by universal suffrage.