The World Factbook (1982)/Reunion

by the Central Intelligence Agency

REUNION

(See reference map VII)

LAND

2,512 km²; two-thirds of island extremely rugged, consisting of volcanic mountains; 48,600 hectares (less than one-fifth of the land) under cultivation

WATER

Limits of territorial waters (claimed): 12 nm

Coastline: 201 km

PEOPLE

Population: 521,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 1.4%

Nationality: noun—Reunionese (sing. and pl.); adjective—Reunionese

Ethnic divisions: most of the population is of thoroughly intermixed ancestry of French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, and Indian origin

Religion: 94% Roman Catholic

Language: French (official), Creole widely used

Literacy: over 80% among younger generation

Labor force: primarily agricultural workers; high seasonal unemployment

GOVERNMENT

Official name: Department of Reunion

Type: overseas department of France; represented in French Parliament by three deputies and two senators

Capital: Saint-Denis

Legal system: French law

Branches: Reunion is administered by a Prefect appointed by the French Minister of Interior, assisted by a Secretary General and an elected 36-man General Council Government leader: Prefect Michel LEVALLOIS

Suffrage: universal adult

Elections: last municipal and general council elections in 1976; parliamentary election June 1981

Political parties and leaders: Reunion Communist Party (RCP) led by Paul Verges and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Reunion led by Georges Sinamale; other political candidates affiliated with metropolitan French parties, which do not maintain permanent organizations on Reunion

Voting strength (Parliamentary election 1981): the French Democratic Union-Rally for the Republic coalition elected two deputies; the Socialists elected one deputy

Communists: Communist Party small, but has support among sugarcane cutters, the minuscule OCMLR, and in Le Port District

Member of: EC, WFTU

ECONOMY

Agriculture: cash crops—almost entirely sugarcane, small amounts of vanilla and perfume plants; food crops—tropical fruit and vegetables, manioc, bananas, corn, market garden produce, also some tea, tobacco, and coffee; food crop inadequate, most food needs imported

Major industries: 12 sugar processing mills, rum distilling plants, cigarette factory, 2 tea plants, fruit juice plant, canning factory, a slaughterhouse, and several small shops producing handicraft items

Electric power: 105,000 kW capacity (1980); 285 million kWh produced (1980), 577 kWh per capita

Exports: $62 million (f.o.b., 1975); 90% sugar, 4% perfume essences, 5% rum and molasses, 1% vanilla and tea (1974)

Imports: $410 million (c.i.f., 1975); manufactured goods, food, beverages, and tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials and petroleum products

Major trade partners: France (in 1970 supplied 62% of Reunion's imports, purchased 76% of its exports); Mauritius (supplied 12% of imports)

Aid: economic commitments—Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF (1970-78), $3,257 million

Monetary conversion rate: 4.705 French francs=US$1

Fiscal year: probably calendar year

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: none

Highways: 1,983 km total; 1,683 km paved, 300 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized earth

Ports: 1 major (Port des Galets)

Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft, leased in

Airfields: 6 total, 6 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m, 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Telecommunications: adequate system for needs; fairly modern open-wire lines and radiocommunication stations; principal center Saint-Denis; radiocommunication to Comoros Islands, France, Madagascar, and Mauritius; 36,000 telephones (7.2 per 100 popl.); 2 AM and 8 FM stations; 1 TV station with 13 relay transmitters; 1 Indian Ocean satellite station

DEFENSE FORCES

Military manpower: males 15-49, 144,000; 77,000 fit for military service; 7,000 reach military age (18) annually