Geography of Réunion

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Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates: 21°06′S 55°36′E

Map references: World

Area:
total: 2,512 km²
land: 2,502 km²
water: 10 km²

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 207 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km)

Climate: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April

Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m

Natural resources: fish, arable land, hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 60 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise (2,631 m) on the southeastern coast is an active volcano

Environment - current issues: NA

[edit] See also

• Réunion