Reunion Island is a French department. It is situated on the western side of the Indian Ocean, in the Mascarene archipelago, at 100 km west of Mauritius and at 760 km east of Malagasy Republic. Originated from a volcano, Reunion Island is formed by Salazies Mountain, an extinct volcano in the west and by Grand Brulé mountain in the east, where the Piton de la Fournaise – an active volcano - is situated (2632m).
The Piton des Neiges, 3,069 high, remains the highest point of the island. The altitude of most part of the island is above 1000 m. The plains are limited essentially to the coast.
This French department is known as “the intense island”. Intense for its striking landscapes.
The island is constituted by 3 huge cirques, ancient crumbled craters.
The most spectacular, the “Piton des Neiges” (3069 m) offers a rare panoramic view to hikers with an avid feeling for adventures.
Intense also for its luxuriant nature! The island is an immense tropical garden whose scents inspire the perfumers of around the world. Geraniums, gladiolus, begonias, dahlias, eyelets and asters grow in the wild under the ferns trees, palm trees, flamboyant trees with their luminous red or the fruit trees, beside the orchids.
Intense finally for its cultural mixture: Europeans, Africans, Chinese, Muslims, Tamils and Indians stand side by side harmoniously in a society respectful of the richness and differences of each culture. |