Saint-Joseph (Réunion)
| Saint-Joseph | |
|---|---|
|
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| region | Reunion |
| Department | Reunion |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Pierre |
| Canton |
Saint-Joseph Saint-Pierre-3 |
| Community association | South |
| Coordinates | 21 ° 23 ′ S , 55 ° 37 ′ E |
| height | 0-2,448 m |
| surface | 178.50 km 2 |
| Residents | 37,644 (January 1, 2017) |
| Population density | 211 inhabitants / km 2 |
| Post Code | 97480 |
| INSEE code | 97412 |
| Website | http://ville-saintjoseph.fr/ |
 Sugar cane cultivation |
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Saint-Joseph is a French commune in the extreme south of the overseas department of Réunion . It belongs to the arrondissement of Saint-Pierre . Saint-Joseph is not only the southernmost municipality in the department, but also the southernmost municipality in France and the European Union .
General
Saint-Joseph has the postcode 97480 and has 37,644 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017).
Saint-Joseph was founded in 1875 as the twelfth of today's 24 parishes on Réunion. The current mayor is Patrick Lebreton ( Parti socialiste ).
geography
Saint-Joseph is located on the rocky south coast of the island of Réunion at 21 ° 23 ′ south latitude and 55 ° 37 ′ east longitude , about 20 kilometers east of the next largest city Saint-Pierre between the smaller communities of Petite-Île and Saint-Philippe .
The four main towns are, from west to east:
- Manapany-les-Bains
- Saint-Joseph
- Langevin
- Vincendo
Manapany-les-Bains
The still rapidly increasing popularity of Manapany-les-Bains results from the fact that it is the only bay in the municipality that is suitable for bathing in the ocean, while the rest of the coastline consists mainly of cliffs. To protect bathers from the rough seas, breakwaters were raised and a water basin separated from the open sea was set up. Manapany has become a popular destination for the North Reunionese ( Dyonisins ) for weekend stays and vacations away from the hustle and bustle of the north. More and more tourists from the motherland and Europe prefer the traditional hospitality of the sudistes and the ideal starting point for excursions to the lava flows, the volcano and the most beautiful hiking trails of the south of La Réunion.
Saint-Joseph
The most important town in the municipality, which is namesake and administrative center, is located at about 30 m above sea level at the mouth of the Rivière des Remparts ( German : "Bulwark River ") in the Indian Ocean . Up to this point, the river forms a canyon cut into the volcanic rock up to 1,000 m deep .
Langevin
In Langevin (50 m above sea level), a district at the mouth of the river of the same name ( Rivière Langevin ), the Pointe de Langevin , the southernmost point of the European Union , is located at approx. 21 ° 15 ′ south latitude .
Vincendo
Vincendo (132 m above sea level) is the second largest town in the municipality after Saint-Joseph. In Vincendo there is a primary school ( école primaire ) and a college as well as a branch of the city administration ( mairie annexe ). Shortly before it flows into the ocean at the small bay La Rentrée , the Ravine Vincendo falls over several waterfalls to sea level.
Other localities
Other localities include:
- Bras-Panon (135 m above sea level): east of Vincendo, on the national road to Saint-Philippe
- Matouta (303 m): small village in the extreme east of the municipality, on the Ravine Basse Vallée , near the exit of the Vallée Heureuse (German: "happy valley"); small elementary school
- Jacques Payet (652 m): scattered settlement
- Parc Mouton (283 m)
economy
In this particularly economically weak part of Réunion, the service sector dominates , especially the public economy (authorities, schools, etc.). In addition, agriculture is carried out in the municipality located on the fertile southern slope of the still active volcano Piton de la Fournaise up to an altitude of over 1,000 m. Sugar cane dominates , but numerous tropical fruits such as coconuts and guavas are also grown.
The popular hiking trails on the volcano and in the gorges of the two large rivers Rivière des Remparts and Rivière Langevin play a particularly important role in tourism . The most popular are multi-day hikes, for example to Roche-Plate.
The main destination for holidaymakers from France and now also from all over Europe and overseas is Manapany-les-Bains, located between Petite-Ile and Saint-Joseph. The protected natural salt water pool has had a reputation for healing rheumatic complaints for generations. An underground freshwater source is said to influence this effect. Manapany-les-Bains is also an annual meeting place for the international surfing elite. The spot is considered extremely difficult and is only recommended for experienced surfers. The hamlet is largely undeveloped for tourism, a handful of tourist providers offer their accommodation in small structures of various classes; There are no hotels.
Personalities
- Maurice Bourgine (1879–1963), colonial administrator
- Jean-Louis Prianon (* 1960), long-distance runner
Web links
- City administration website (French)