One of France’s ‘Overseas Departements’ or overseas territory, Reunion Island is one of its 26 regions of France. Located in the Indian Ocean, east of the island of Madagascar, it is located south of the island nation of Mauritius, which is also the island’s nearest neighbour.
Being a part of France, which is a European country, Reunion Island’s government was one of the first European nations to adopt the Euro currency when it was introduced a few years back.
Reunion being part of the African nation is also seen as a poor nation, and hence, doesn’t draw much needed attention, in both tourism and trade. Its nearest neighbours Mauritius and Madagascar, in fact are much better off.
Often called the mountain in the sea as its towering peaks looms out of the Indian Ocean, though, it’s locals are extremely proud of their island’s rich givings, but it lacks the palm-fringed beaches and hot spot Indian Ocean resorts that Mauritius possess.
The island was basically, discovered by an explorer named ‘Tristan da Cunha’ in 1507 and was named initially, as Apolonia Island. The French came here in 1642, and seven years later they decided to claim this land for their country and named it Bourbon.
In 1764, the local government handed the island to the King of France, who renamed it a Reunion Island. During the 18 century, the British Army occupied it for a few years, when France again gained control of it.
The first settlement was called Saint Paul and was practically inhabited by French colonists. They established businesses and grew crops that suited the island’s soil and humidity. These included coffee, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla.
Initially, the business became a success but then competition from surrounding islands increased such, that islanders’ local trade failed.
