# Saint-Benoît

> commune in La Réunion, France

**Wikidata**: [Q478215](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478215)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Benoît,_Réunion)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-beno-t

## Summary
Saint-Benoît is a commune in the French overseas department of La Réunion, located in the Indian Ocean. It is part of the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît and functions under the same political and administrative framework as metropolitan France.

## Key Facts
- **Political Status**: Commune within the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît, Réunion, France.
- **Location**: Situated in the Indian Ocean, part of the Mascarene Islands.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -21.033888888889, Longitude 55.712777777778.
- **Population**: Ranges from 26,187 to 38,604 over multiple years (e.g., 36,131 in 2010, 38,604 in recent counts).
- **Website**: Official site at [https://www.saint-benoit.re/](https://www.saint-benoit.re/)
- **Arrondissement**: One of four in Réunion; established on October 7, 1968.
- **Country**: France (overseas department since March 21, 1946).
- **Time Zone**: UTC+04:00 (shared with Réunion).
- **Notable Landmarks**: St. Anne's Church, Rivière de l'Est, Rivière des Marsouins, Rivière des Roches, Mussard Cave.
- **Cantons**: Includes canton of Saint-Benoît-1, established on March 22, 2015.
- **Historical Context**: Part of Réunion's transformation from colony to department in 1946.

## FAQs

**What is Saint-Benoît?**
Saint-Benoît is a commune located in the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît on the island of Réunion, an overseas department of France. It is part of the French Republic and operates under the same legal and administrative systems as metropolitan France.

**Where is Saint-Benoît located?**
Saint-Benoît is located on the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, part of the Mascarene Islands. It is geographically part of East Africa but politically part of France.

**What is the population of Saint-Benoît?**
The population of Saint-Benoît has varied over time, with recorded figures including 36,131 in 2010 and 38,604 in more recent counts. The commune is part of a larger demographic trend of steady population growth in Réunion.

**What administrative structures is Saint-Benoît part of?**
Saint-Benoît is part of the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît, one of four arrondissements in Réunion. It also includes the canton of Saint-Benoît-1, established in 2015 as part of France's redistricting reforms.

**What are some notable landmarks in Saint-Benoît?**
Notable landmarks include St. Anne's Church, the Mussard Cave, and rivers such as Rivière de l'Est, Rivière des Marsouins, and Rivière des Roches.

**What is the political significance of Saint-Benoît within Réunion?**
Saint-Benoît is one of four arrondissements in Réunion, established in 1968. As a commune, it plays a role in local governance and is integrated into France’s national administrative structure, ensuring access to the same rights and services as in mainland France.

## Why It Matters
Saint-Benoît matters as a key administrative and cultural unit within Réunion, an overseas department of France. It represents the integration of a geographically distant territory into the French Republic, ensuring equal access to social services, political representation, and legal protections. Its role in local governance contributes to the broader model of French overseas administration, which balances local autonomy with national integration. Saint-Benoît also reflects the multicultural identity of Réunion, shaped by centuries of migration and Creole influence, making it a microcosm of France’s global reach and post-colonial governance.

## Notable For
- Being part of Réunion, one of France’s five overseas departments with full integration into the French legal and political system.
- Hosting the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît, established in 1968, which plays a central role in local governance.
- Including the canton of Saint-Benoît-1, restructured in 2015 under France’s administrative reforms.
- Serving as a hub for cultural and natural landmarks, including St. Anne's Church and the Mussard Cave.
- Being part of a region that uses the euro and maintains the same infrastructure standards as metropolitan France.
- Representing a unique blend of French and Creole cultures within the Indian Ocean context.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Saint-Benoît is located on the island of Réunion, part of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. It lies east of Madagascar and is part of East Africa geographically. The commune is positioned at coordinates -21.033888888889 latitude and 55.712777777778 longitude. As part of Réunion, it shares the island’s tropical climate and volcanic topography, including proximity to rivers like Rivière de l'Est and notable natural features such as the Mussard Cave.

### Political and Administrative Structure
Saint-Benoît is a commune within the arrondissement of Saint-Benoît, one of four arrondissements in Réunion. The arrondissement was established on October 7, 1968. The commune is also part of the canton of Saint-Benoît-1, which was created on March 22, 2015, during France’s administrative restructuring. As with all of Réunion, Saint-Benoît operates under the same political and legal framework as metropolitan France, ensuring equal access to national services and representation.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Saint-Benoît has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures including:
- 26,187
- 31,560
- 33,187
- 35,733
- 36,131 (2010)
- 36,994
- 37,023
- 37,036
- 37,274
- 37,585
- 37,759
- 37,940
- 38,604 (most recent)

This reflects broader demographic trends in Réunion, which has seen steady population growth due to its unique status as a fully integrated French department.

### Cultural and Natural Landmarks
Saint-Benoît is home to several notable landmarks:
- **St. Anne's Church**: A religious site located in the commune.
- **Mussard Cave**: A mountain cave of local significance.
- **Rivers**: Includes Rivière de l'Est, Rivière des Marsouins, and Rivière des Roches, all contributing to the area’s hydrological and ecological profile.

These sites reflect the natural and cultural heritage of the region, blending French and Creole influences.

### Governance and Representation
As part of Réunion, Saint-Benoît is represented in both the French National Assembly and Senate. It adheres to the same governance structures as metropolitan France, including access to social services, education, and healthcare. The commune benefits from the political stability and infrastructure of the French Republic while maintaining its distinct local identity shaped by Creole culture and history.

### Historical Context
Saint-Benoît is part of Réunion, which became an overseas department of France on March 21, 1946. This transition marked its integration into the French legal and political system, granting its citizens the same rights as those in mainland France. The arrondissement of Saint-Benoît was later established in 1968, followed by the creation of the canton of Saint-Benoît-1 in 2015.

### Infrastructure and Integration
Saint-Benoît, like the rest of Réunion, uses the euro as its currency and operates on UTC+04:00. The electrical system runs on 220 volts at 50 Hz, using Type E plugs. The commune benefits from France’s national infrastructure, including transportation, telecommunications, and digital services such as the regional open data portal at data.regionreunion.com.

### International and Online Presence
Saint-Benoît is part of Réunion’s broader international and digital presence, including:
- Membership in the Indian Ocean Commission.
- Social media engagement via Réunion’s official accounts.
- A dedicated website at [https://www.saint-benoit.re/](https://www.saint-benoit.re/).

This digital and diplomatic integration ensures that Saint-Benoît remains connected to both France and the Indian Ocean region.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. MusicBrainz
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies