Communes of the Réunion department facts for kids
Réunion is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. It's actually a part of France, even though it's far away! This means it's an overseas department of France. Just like cities and towns in other countries, Réunion is divided into smaller areas called communes. These communes are like local towns or districts. Réunion has 24 of these communes, each with its own unique history and community.
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What is a Commune?
A commune is the smallest kind of administrative area in France. Think of it like a local town or a small city. Each commune has its own mayor and local government. They help manage things like schools, roads, and local services for the people living there. The word "commune" comes from an old French word meaning "common." This shows how people in these areas work together for their shared community.
Réunion: A French Island
Réunion is not just an island; it's a full part of France. This means people there use the euro currency and speak French. The island is known for its amazing volcanoes, lush forests, and beautiful beaches. It's a popular place for both tourists and locals. The communes help organize life across this diverse island, from busy cities to quiet mountain villages.
How Communes Work Together
The communes in Réunion don't work alone. They often group together to share resources and manage bigger projects. These groups are called "intercommunalities." It's like different towns joining forces to build a bigger library or manage waste collection more efficiently. This helps them save money and provide better services for everyone.
Arrondissements: Bigger Areas
For even larger administrative tasks, communes are grouped into "arrondissements." These are bigger areas that help organize things like police services and courts. Réunion has four main arrondissements: Saint-Denis, Saint-Benoît, Saint-Paul, and Saint-Pierre. Each arrondissement has a main city, which is often called its "capital."
List of Réunion's Communes
Here is a list of the 24 communes in Réunion. Each one has a special code, a postal code, and a year it was created. They also belong to an arrondissement and an intercommunality.
| INSEE code | Postal code | Commune name | Year of creation | Arrondissement | Intercommunality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97401 | 97425 | Les Avirons | 1894 | Saint-Pierre | CIVIS |
| 97402 | 97412 | Bras-Panon | 1882 | Saint-Benoît | CIREST |
| 97424 | 97413 | Cilaos | 1965 | Saint-Pierre | CIVIS |
| 97403 | 97414 | Entre-Deux | 1882 | Saint-Pierre | CASUD |
| 97404 | 97427 | L'Étang-Salé | 1894 | Saint-Pierre | CIVIS |
| 97405 | 97429 | Petite-Île | 1935 | Saint-Pierre | CIVIS |
| 97406 | 97431 | La Plaine-des-Palmistes | 1899 | Saint-Benoît | CIREST |
| 97407 | 97420 | Le Port | 1895 | Saint-Paul | TCO |
| 97408 | 97419 | La Possession | 1890 | Saint-Paul | TCO |
| 97409 | 97440 | Saint-André | 1741 | Saint-Benoît | CIREST |
| 97410 | 97470 | Saint-Benoît | 1733 | Saint-Benoît (capital) | CIREST (seat) |
| 97411 | 97400 | Saint-Denis | 1689 | Saint-Denis (capital) | CINOR (seat) |
| 97418 | 97438 | Sainte-Marie | 1737 | Saint-Denis | CINOR |
| 97419 | 97439 | Sainte-Rose | 1790 | Saint-Benoît | CIREST |
| 97420 | 97441 | Sainte-Suzanne | 1704 | Saint-Denis | CINOR |
| 97412 | 97480 | Saint-Joseph | 1875 | Saint-Pierre | CASUD |
| 97413 | 97416 | Saint-Leu | 1790 | Saint-Paul | TCO |
| 97414 | 97421 | Saint-Louis | 1768 | Saint-Pierre | CIVIS |
| 97415 | 97428 | Saint-Paul | 1663 | Saint-Paul (capital) | TCO (seat) |
| 97417 | 97442 | Saint-Philippe | 1830 | Saint-Pierre | CASUD |
| 97416 | 97410 | Saint-Pierre | 1735 | Saint-Pierre (capital) | CIVIS (seat) |
| 97421 | 97433 | Salazie | 1899 | Saint-Benoît | CIREST |
| 97422 | 97418 | Le Tampon | 1925 | Saint-Pierre | CASUD (seat) |
| 97423 | 97426 | Les Trois-Bassins | 1897 | Saint-Paul | TCO |
Understanding Intercommunalities
The intercommunalities are groups of communes that work together. Here are the main ones in Réunion:
- CASUD: This stands for Communauté d'agglomération du Sud. It's a group of communes in the south of Réunion. It was created in 1997.
- CINOR: This is the Communauté intercommunale du Nord de La Réunion. It's a group of communes in the north of the island. It started in 2001.
- CIREST: This means Communauté intercommunale Réunion Est. It's for communes in the eastern part of Réunion. It was formed in 2002.
- CIVIS: This is the Communauté intercommunale des Villes solidaires. It's a group of "solidary cities" working together. It was created in 2003.
- TCO: This stands for Territoire de la Côte Ouest. It covers the communes along the west coast. It was formed in 2002.
These groups help the communes manage shared services and projects, making life better for everyone on the island.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Comunas de Reunión para niños
