Short facts about the geography of Reunion

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 sq km land:  2,502 sq km water:  10 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

207 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 NM

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 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano

Environment - current issues:

NA

Source: World Factbook