Réunion

Réunion has a population of 859,959 as of 2020.

2,510 sq km / 969 sq mi (similar size to Rhode Island)

50% Réunionaise | 25% French | 20% Tamil | 5% Chinese, East African, South Asian, and Malagasy

86% Roman Catholic | Buddism | Hinduism | Islam | Chinese Folk Religion

French (official) | Creole (common)

Réunion consists of a beautiful coastline, mountains with peaks over 9,000 ft, such as Piton des Neiges that summits at 10,069 feet, as well as an active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world in a strategic location along the Mozambique Channel. There is also diversity on the island with tropical rainforest in the east, temperate highlands in the center, and arid deserts in the south.

Réunion’s economy is mostly based on sugar. They also grow vanilla, fruits and vegetables, and tobacco. The main exports are sugar and sugar by-products such as molasses and rum.

For the last ten years the Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano in Réunion, has erupted every nine months.

Réunion was colonized by France until 1946. It became an overseas department of France which made the Réunionaise people full citizens of France.