It is a small (2512 km2) tropical volcanic island, which reaches 3070 m in altitude at its highest point (Piton des Neiges).
Its steep volcanic relief reaches 3070 m in the center of the island. A third of its areas is still covered by native vegetation ranging from lowland rainforest to subalpine grassland.
The island still shelters 100,000 ha of native ecosystems (included in a national park) and is home to the last remnants of intact tropical forests in the Mascarenes archipelago (Réunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues).
Dominated by two towering volcanic peaks, massive walls and three cliff-rimmed cirques, the property includes a great variety of rugged terrain and impressive escarpments, forested gorges and basins creating a visually striking landscape.
Created in 2007, Réunion Island National Park has the task of protecting and promoting a unique heritage: numerous species of animals, insects and plants only exist in this region.
There are 1,712 species of vascular plants, whilst of the 840 indigenous species, 389 (46.3%) are endemic, 236 being locally and 153 regionally endemic. 8 genera are endemic to Réunion, and 5 more endemic to the Mascarenes. There are also 754 species of bryophyte, 86 being endemic.
Established in 2007, the Réunion National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 as "Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island".
Réunion Island National Park: One of the oldest forests in the world
