TO7PX – Reunion Island

Giovanni, IZ2DPX will be active as TO7PX from July 4 to 18, 2024 at Reunion Island, IOTA AF-016.
He will be operating on 40 – 6m, SSB, FT8.
Nearest DX Point TO7PX
TO7PX Log Searchsearch QSL passes IK2DUW, LOTW.
Direct QSL advertising:
ANTONELLO PASSARELLA, VIA M. GIOIA, 6, 20812, LIMBIATE, MB, ITALY.
More information with dates will be provided later.

TO7PX Reunion Island Band Project:

Reunion Island – A Little France in the Middle of the Indian Ocean

Reunion is an island country in the Indian Ocean and a French overseas department of the same name. Reunion’s closest neighbor is Madagascar, 700 kilometers to the west. Reunion’s largest city and capital is Saint-Denis, where all the main administrative facilities of the French overseas department are concentrated.

The main feature of Reunion Island is its stunning natural scenery: the island is covered with picturesque tropical forests, replaced by savannahs and majestic extinct and active volcanoes, and the coastline is outlined by the azure sea. This island is the perfect combination of exotic romance and French fashion. Here you can fully enjoy exquisite French cuisine while admiring the magnificence of the surrounding natural scenery.

Reunion Island. Author – Alain.

TO7PX. Reunion Island. Flag.

History of Reunion Island

The territory received its name in 1793, shortly after the overthrow of the French monarchy, but the island was occupied by France long before the Republic was established. Originally known as Mascarene Island, the island was not inhabited until the Middle Ages. Until the 17th century, it was only visited by single Arab and Malay merchant ships and European expeditions. The reason for such reluctance to visit the island was its inconvenient geographical location. For a time, the island was a place of exile for rebels from neighboring Madagascar, however, the exiles viewed this punishment more as a vacation trip.

In 1642, the island came under French control and a few years later, at the request of Louis XIII, it was named Bourbon in honor of the royal family. In the 17th and 18th centuries, coffee, sugar cane, cotton, vanilla and various spices were grown on the island. Black slaves from the African continent were brought here to cultivate the land.

Since 1946, Reunion Island has officially become an overseas department of France, with the following consequences: the official currency is the Euro, the official language is French, and a Schengen visa is required to visit the island, among others.

Reunion Island. Author – Abdel R.

Geography and Climate of Reunion Island

The island has an area of ​​2,512 square kilometers and a coastline of 207 kilometers. Reunion Island is a volcanic island, with the highest point being the Neiges volcano at 3,069 meters above sea level. Most of the volcanoes on this small island have long been dead, but one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, the Fournaise volcano, at 2,631 meters above sea level, stands quietly in the southeast. The density of volcanoes has formed the topography of the island, and the lava field accounts for about one-fifth of the island’s territory. The mountainous areas of the island have turbulent rivers and roaring waterfalls, and the scenery has a unique charm, like a fairy tale.

Réunion Island has a tropical maritime climate, with hot weather, but significantly lower humidity and rainfall than Madagascar. Humidity varies in different parts of the island. Thus, the highest humidity is found in the mountainous northeast of the island, while the flat west coast is characterized by relatively dry weather.

Being south of the equator, the seasons here are very different from those in Europe. That’s why European tourists like to vacation here between November and April, when it’s the cold winter back home.

Reunion Island Population

The population, at the 2011 census, was just over 800,000, and the ethnic makeup of the local population is quite diverse: more than half are Creole, about a quarter are white French, about 20% are Indian, and the rest are native to Asian countries.

Nearly 90% of the residents of Reunion Island are Catholics, and there are also representatives of Orthodox, Muslims, Buddhists, Rastafarians and other religions.

In addition to French, the official language used for all business and school work, French-based Creole is also widely used in daily life.

Reunion Island. Author – Nicolas Lantoing.

Reunion Entertainment

The various recreational activities on Reunion Island are closely linked to the local natural scenery. The island is famous for beach leisure activities, especially the so-called black sand beaches, with a typical dark color of sand, formed by volcanoes.

All the most popular beaches are concentrated in the western part of the island, which is considered safe. In fact, only the western coast is limited by underwater coral reefs, blocking the way of marine predators and high waves. In other parts of the island, even if the beaches are convenient for swimming, the local government does not recommend swimming. Many cases of daring people falling victim to sharks or dying under high waves have been recorded.

The island offers everything for hiking enthusiasts, and it is worth organizing an organized climb to the top of the aforementioned Piton dela Fournaise, considered the country’s main calling card. If you don’t like mountaineering and are not physically fit enough – no problem, because you can fly to the top of the mountain by helicopter to enjoy a magnificent view.

One of the places worth admiring is the magnificent national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the park area you can observe the rarest bird species. For example, there are more than 30 species of parrots alone.

The underwater world of the coastal waters of Reunion Island is no less fascinating than the terrestrial world. Every year, diving enthusiasts from all over the world, both beginners and professionals, come here. Windsurfing is a popular sport among extreme recreational activities, and the center of windsurfing is concentrated near the town of Ettinsal in the northwest of the island.

Attractions in Reunion Island

First of all, the capital of the island, Saint-Denis, surrounded by mountains on three sides, is a must-see. The city has preserved many colonial buildings, creating a particularly romantic atmosphere. The old prefectural building built in 1735 is eye-catching and was the headquarters of the Indian campaign. The town hall and the Monuments au Mortes are also must-sees. The island has temples of different religions, which are peacefully adjacent to each other, many of which are a real decoration of the city and form a unique local flavor.

During your holiday in Saint-Denis, be sure to visit the Blanche district, which is the ideal place for a leisurely walk. There are many cafes and restaurants to enjoy on the cozy streets. In the souvenir shops you can buy original products from local artisans.

Not far from Branció is a huge botanical garden with more than 50,000 species of plants from all over the world. An important part of the garden is the Natural History Museum, which has unique exhibitions including rare corals, shells and other exotic flora and fauna of the region.

TO7PX. Where is Reunion Island? Map.