1981 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1981 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
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
Aid
economic commitments — Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF (1970-78), $3,257 million
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)
Fiscal year
probably calendar year
Imports
$410 million (c.i.f., 1975); manufactured goods, food, beverages, and tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials and petroleum products
Major industries
12 sugar processing mills, rum distilling plants, cigarette factory, 2 tea plants, fruit juice plant, canning factory, a slaughterhouse, and several small shops producing handicraft items
Major trade partners
France (in 1970 supplied 62% of Reunion's imports, purchased 76% of its exports); Mauritius (supplied 12% of imports)
Monetary conversion rate
4.705 French francs=US$l
Communications
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
Civil air
1 major transport aircraft, leased in
Highways
1,983 km total; 1,683 km paved, 300 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized earth
Military manpower
males 15-49, 144,000; 77,000 fit for military service; 7,000 reach military age (18) annually
Ports
1 major (Port des Galets)
Railroads
none
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 pop!.); 2 AM and 8 FM stations; 1 TV station with 13 relay transmitters; 1 Indian Ocean satellite station DEFENSE FORCES