the highest point on the island at 3,070 metres (10,070 ft) above sea level, is north west of the Piton de la Fournaise. However, this volcano is extinct.
Offshore, part of the west coast is characterized by a coral reef system.
Réunion hosts many tropical and unique beaches
L’Ermitage Beach, Réunion
which helps to attract French vacationers escaping the cold European winters. In an effort to attract more visitors, these beaches are often equipped with barbecues, other amenities, and parking spaces.
Ethnic groups include people of African, Indian, European, Malagasy and Chinese origin. All of the ethnic are immigrant populations that have come to Réunion. These populations have mixed from the earliest days of the island’s colonial history resulting in a majority population being of mixed race and culture.
The predominant religion is Christianity, notably Roman Catholicism, being practiced by about 85%
In 2016, the Gross Domestic Product of Réunion was estimated at 19.2 billion euros (US$21.3 bn). This makes Réunion the most economically viable of the Indian Ocean islands
While sugar was traditionally the chief agricultural product and export, tourism is now a more important source of income. The island’s remote location combined with its stable political alignment with Europe also makes it a key location for satellite receiving stations and naval navigation.
If you should decide to join the majority French tourists visiting Réunion then Roland Garros Airport
Roland Garros Airport
is likely to be your port of entry. The airport handles flights to and from mainland France,
As is true of all of Overseas France, the official flag of Réunion is the French Tricolor,
French Flag
however, Réunion is in a somewhat unique position in that is has at least four competing unofficial flags.
The flag we have flying today
Flags of France and Reunion on Our Flag Pole
is the one proposed by the Association for the Reunion Flag.
I am having difficulty finding an interpretive guide to the meaning of the design of the flag, other than the inclusion of the French tri-color on the hoist side, so if someone should be able to explain it to me and to my readers, please let me know!
Tomorrow we will feature the flag proposed by the Vexillological Association of Réunion as well as acknowledge the other two contenders which I do not possess and therefore cannot yet fly. But if I can source them, perhaps they too will join in the collection.
Stay tuned to find out more about Réunion flags and about where in world of Overseas France we will go next.
