It is boundlessly beautiful island, full of contrasts, where you can find altogether entire nature sceneries, such as: active volcano, wild rough mountains covered with virgin forests, the rivers, flowing through powerful canyons, numerous waterfalls, volcanic deserts, rough coasts with lava cliffs and sandy black beaches. The island is France oversea area (the island was formally annexed in 1638) and so, this territory belongs to European Union Countries. Reunion forms, together with another islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, group of islands, known as Mascarens. Saint Denis, situated at the north coast of the island, is a capital. All inland of the island is very mountaneous, and is composed of two complexes: old volcano and Piton de la Fournaise (2632 m), new volcano.

Old volcano reaches its highest point with Piton des Neiges peak (3070 m). Anyway, another high peaks, such as: Le Grand Benare (2896 m), La Roche Ecrite (2277 m) and Le Gros Morne (3013 m) are arising there. Reunion was created, thanks to hot point volcanism. The trace of this process leads from West India, across groups of islands of Lacadives, Maledives, Tsagos Islands up to Mascarens. Reunion is its last product. At first, two millions of years ago, an old volcano came out, and after another million of years, the other volcano followed. Later, both islands joined into one complex. Old volcano finished its activity thirteen thousands years ago. On the other hand, the new one - Piton de la Fournaise - remained active till now. One interesting fact: since 1665, more than 200 eruptions were noted there, and it is the second most active volcano of the whole world.

The climate of an island is typical with its dry winter (since May till October) and rainy summer (since November till April). Big difference between total precipitations on east and west part of the island is prevailing. Takamaka virgin forest territory is most rainy area - the rains cause the height of eight metres of precipitation (water) each year, whereas on west coast the rains full 70 cms only. This great difference is caused with a fact  that high mountains seize most of clouds, driven to the island with humid east winds.

Owing to small extention of the island, short water flows could be found there only. The greatest from them are drained by means of volcanic calderas (the hollows of crater form). So, the access to the sea had to be broken throughout the walls, and so, deep and wild canyons were established. Many brooks and rivers fall down across high rock stages, and so create very attractive waterfalls, such as, for instance, Cascade du Bras Rouge in Cirque de Cialos or Cascade du Chaudron, not far from Saint Denis capital.

The nature of Reunion Island presents one big botanical garden. In rain forests there are to be found many endemic (rare) sorts of trees. You can find there cryptomeries, tamarinds, horse-tails, various sorts of palms and marvellous blowing trees, such as: grevillea, jacaranda and acacia. As far as the flowers are concerned, you can find there many sorts of orchideas, marsh-mallows, and in higher sections, the carpets of Alpine plants. From fauna world, especially the birds are very interesting. On the other hand, the composition of another land animals is not too variegated. Big number of frogs as well as spiders, and even chameleons, are living there.

Nearly 800 000 inhabitants are living on the island (this presents population density of 287 persons in one square kilometer). Its composition is many-coloured: the Europeans (especially of French origin), the Indians, Chinese, Creols and Moslems. The Creols dominate. These are descendants of African slaves (about 40%). Most of people are living on the coast. French is an official language.

Text: J. Štantejský

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Panoramio.com