# Réunion

> overseas department of France in the Indian Ocean

**Wikidata**: [Q17070](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17070)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Réunion)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reunion

## Summary
Réunion is an overseas department and region of France located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It is a single territorial entity that functions as both a department and a region of the French Republic, possessing the same political status as departments in metropolitan France. The island, also known historically as Île Bourbon, became a French department on March 21, 1946.

## Key Facts
- **Political Status:** An overseas department and region of France, classified as a dependent territory.
- **Capital:** Saint-Denis.
- **Area:** 2,512 square kilometers.
- **Population:** 889,679 (as of January 1, 2023, census).
- **Official Language:** French.
- **Currency:** Euro (since January 1, 2002); previously the French franc (1975-2001) and the Réunion franc (1946-1974).
- **Location:** Part of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean, situated in East Africa.
- **Inception:** Officially became a French department on March 21, 1946.
- **Country Code:** ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code `RE`, alpha-3 code `REU`, numeric code 638.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+04:00 (since October 19, 1979).
- **Highest Point:** Piton des Neiges.
- **Lowest Point:** Indian Ocean.
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **Telephone Code:** +262.
- **Internet TLD:** .re
- **Motto:** *Florebo quocumque ferar* (I will flourish wherever I am carried).
- **Member Of:** Indian Ocean Commission.

## FAQs

**What is the political status of Réunion?**
Réunion is an integral part of France, designated as an overseas department and region. This means it is governed by the same laws and political structure as departments in mainland France, with representation in the French National Assembly and Senate.

**What is the population and capital of Réunion?**
The capital city is Saint-Denis. According to the most recent census data, the population was 889,679 as of January 1, 2023, showing steady growth from previous counts of 866,506 in 2019 and 835,103 in 2013.

**What languages are spoken and what currency is used?**
The official language is French, and Réunion Creole is also widely used. As part of France, the official currency is the euro, which replaced the French franc in 2002.

**Where is Réunion located geographically?**
Réunion is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, forming part of the Mascarene Islands archipelago along with Mauritius and Rodrigues. It is geographically considered part of East Africa.

**What is the climate and topography of the island?**
Réunion has a tropical climate according to the Köppen classification. The terrain is dominated by volcanic peaks, including the active Piton de la Fournaise and the highest point, Piton des Neiges (3,070 meters), with its lowest point at sea level in the Indian Ocean.

## Why It Matters
Réunion represents a unique model of European integration within a geographically African and Indian Ocean context. Its status as a full department of France grants its citizens the same rights and social benefits as those in Europe, making it an outlier in the region and a subject of study for post-colonial governance. Economically and strategically, it serves as a key French and European Union outpost in the Indian Ocean, contributing to regional security and cooperation through its membership in bodies like the Indian Ocean Commission. The island's rich cultural blend, born from centuries of migration, offers a distinct Creole society within the French Republic.

## Notable For
- Being one of the five overseas departments of France, sharing equal status with mainland departments.
- Home to Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes.
- Its unique biodiversity, including the Réunion Island and Petite Île, which are recognized habitats.
- A recorded temperature extreme range from -5.0 °C to 37 °C.
- A distinct cultural identity, with Réunion Creole as a widely spoken language alongside French.
- Using the euro, making it part of the Eurozone despite its location far from Europe.

## Body

### Governance and Political Structure
Réunion is governed as a single territorial entity officially called the "overseas department and region of France." Its current head of government is Huguette Bello, who took office in 2021. Previous presidents of the Regional Council include Didier Robert (2010-2021), Paul Vergès, and Margie Sudre. The department is subdivided into four arrondissements: Saint-Benoît, Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul, and Saint-Pierre. Its official INSEE department code is 974, which is also used on its license plates.

### Historical Background
The island has undergone several name changes throughout its history:
- **Bourbon:** From its early settlement until March 23, 1793.
- **île de la Réunion:** From March 23, 1793, to 1806.
- **île Bonaparte:** From 1806 to 1810.
- **Bourbon:** Again from 1810 until March 7, 1848.
- **La Réunion:** From March 7, 1848, to the present day.
The significant date of March 21, 1946, marks its transformation from a colony to an overseas department of France.

### Geography and Environment
Located at coordinates -21.114444°, 55.5325°, Réunion is a volcanic island with dramatic topography. Its extreme points are:
- Northernmost: -20.8717136°, 55.4507759°
- Southernmost: -21.3897308°, 55.6464738°
- Easternmost: -21.1828833°, 55.8366924°
- Westernmost: -21.0390355°, 55.2164268°
The island is part of the Mascarene Islands and is situated in the Indian Ocean. Its climate is classified as tropical.

### Demographics and Society
The demonym for an inhabitant is Réunionnais. The population has seen consistent growth over the past decade. Key cultural aspects include the culture of Réunion and the use of French and Réunion Creole. The island's annual number of weddings has fluctuated, with 3,004 recorded in 2021.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of Réunion is integrated with France. The electrical system uses a mains voltage of 220 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz, utilizing Type E electrical plugs. The island has a dedicated open data portal at data.regionreunion.com.

### International and Online Presence
Réunion is a member of the Indian Ocean Commission. Its official social media accounts include a Twitter handle (@Region_Reunion, with 36,817,754 followers as of February 3, 2023) and Instagram accounts (@region_reunion, @departement974). The official website is http://www.regionreunion.com/ (in French). It has extensive coverage on Wikipedia across more than 140 languages.

### Identification Codes
The entity has a vast array of international identification codes, demonstrating its recognition in numerous systems:
- **Geographic:** GADM code REU, Geonames ID 935317, WHO's on First ID 85671199.
- **Library & Academic:** ISNI 0000000121563951, VIAF ID 131337096, GND ID 4049639-9, Library of Congress Authority ID n79079314, BNF ID 11865432v.
- **Statistical:** UN M49 code 638, NUTS codes FRY4 (since 2021), FRA4/FRA40 (2012-2020), FR94/FR940 (1995-2011).
- **Other:** FIPS 10-4 code RE, UEFA country code REU, Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Island", "ReunionIsland"]`.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. OpenStreetMap
5. Journal officiel de la République française. 1979
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q823282)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. FIPS 10-4
9. official website
10. MusicBrainz
11. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2119431?sommaire=2119504)
12. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Q104585386
21. Code officiel géographique
22. BBC Things
23. [Source](http://vocab.getty.edu/page/tgn/1000184)
24. BabelNet
25. [Source](http://www.insee.fr/fr/methodes/default.asp?page=nomenclatures/cog/codes_regions_2016.htm)
26. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
27. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
28. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
29. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2561535?sommaire=2546239)
30. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques?debut=0&theme=2&categorie=1&collection=4)
31. [Source](http://www.meteofrance.re/climat/description-du-climat)
32. iNaturalist
33. FactGrid
34. museum-digital