a hot rock mantis production
your guide to Réunion Island
Ile de la Réunion
The original and most informative
English language guide to the island
Latest Info...
Fires at the World Heritage site of Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island (Réunion, France) Wednesday, November 2, 2011 UNESCO is monitoring with concern the situation in the Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island, World Heritage site where fires have been raging since 25 October. According to early reports from the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, at least 3,000 ha of the 100,000 ha property have been destroyed by the fires. Twenty-six endemic rare plant species are already known to have been affected by the fires. Sixteen of these species are listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The fires are also believed to be having a negative impact on wildlife, killing invertebrates, and destroying the nesting grounds of many bird species. Moreover, there is fear for the survival of the Reunion Island population of day geckos (Phelsuma borbonica) recently discovered in the area hit by the fires. The site was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2010 for its exceptional biodiversity and for the beauty of its landscape of subtropical rainforests, cloud forests and heaths, dominated by two volcanic peaks, massive walls and three cliff-rimmed cirques. UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre has requested the State Party of France for a detailed report so as to assess the impacts of the fires on the values for which the site is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Reunion Island - an introduction
Experience freedom
In some respects Reunion Island is Mother Earth in micro - there are tropical beaches and 3000m high peaks, volcanoes and forests. This contrast is reflected in its human population and the cultural diversity. The island could well be a blue print for the future if it can withstand the onslaught of globalisation, consummerism and neo-colonialism. (If one is interested, I would recommend reading the polemic on cultural diversity that can be found in English on the regional council web site ).
All too often, Réunion is offered as a "European" destination in the Indian Ocean - european style health care and amenities etc etc etc ad nauseum. This, fortunately, is not Europe, and as has been shown by the recent (2005/6) epidemic of chikungunya it is in the tropics. Réunion is unique and, hopefully, it will stay that way and offer a glimpse to all who visit of the importance of diversity in both nature and humanity.
Tourist links
a varied selection
Other sites based on the island that offer "portails" include :
mi-aime-a-ou.com - the phrase is creole for "I love you" and the site is eclectic with little or no ads - hurrah!
... the list is long and they all seem to suffer from web based monoculturalism, but that is an opinion.
More info ...
same old dog food
A keyword search will throw up most sites pertaining to the island albeit that most are in French. In general the quality is good, if commercial - looks like you will have to learn French or believe everything written here!
For the anglophone, Wikipedia is a good starting point and the "official" tourist office site can be found here. I, personally, would not endorse it, but then they wouldn't endorse mine would they? ;-) The Regional Council site and the site of the "Conseil General" are informative but "dry".
Facts and figures can be found on Wikipedia as well as the CIA World fact book site - in fact, most people seem to glean their info. from these and just add their banners - see Any-answers. For an alternative, try - everyculture.
... in microcosm
Sun kissed beaches, rain drenched forests, wild desolate lava plains, towering cascadcades ...
Eye of the storm
The sheer force and majesty of a cyclone, a cleanser of souls and a few world records to match!
Hot spot
Piton de la Fournaise. The latest fiery rock simmering above a hot spot, evolving and creating.
Indian ocean cyclone map - click to enlarge.
