BOURBON, ILE DE, or, as it is called at present, REUNION, an island in the Indian ocean, the southernmost of the Nascarene isles, laying about 100 in. s.w. from Mauritius, and 360 m. e. from Madagascar. It is one of the most important of the insular colonies of France. It has an area of about 950 sq.in„ being about 38 in. in length, and 28 in its greatest breadth. Pop. '73, 193,362, including some hundreds of Chinese, 6000 negroes, 34,500 Indians, and a garrison, and other officials, to the number of about 2000. It may be described as one great mountain mass, of which the highest peaks are the Piton de Neiges—in the center of the island, rising more than 10,000 ft. above the sea—the Grand Bernard, and the Cimanclef, in the n., with respective heights of 9500 and ft. ; and in the s.e.. the Piton de Fournaise, 7200 ft. high, one of the greatest volcanoes iu the world, and one of the most active, its eruptions taking place at least twice every year, and its lava-strearus sometimes reaching to the sea. This volcano occupies perhaps one sixth of the island, often changes its crater,' and is surrounded by a district of more than 10,000 acres, which is a dreary desert, and is called the Pap Brine (Burned Land). Except in this part, however, the soil is in general extremely fruitful. About a fourth part of the island is cultivated, chiefly.along the coast, although much of the interior is of great natural fertility. The scenery Is very beautiful. Streams, although not large, are very numerous, and rush in cascades to the sea. The climate, which was 0111T mild and salubrious, is now very unhealthy to Europeans, who cannot reside four or five years on the island without an attack of typhoid fever or dysentery. The s.e. monsoon and hurricanes often inake fearful devastation. The plants of Arabia, of the Asiatic archipelago, and of the s. of Europe, sueeeed equally well here; coffee and cloves are pro
duced, along with the fruits of Italy and Spain. The trade is estimated at about two mil lions sterling. By far the most important article of export is sugar; coffee, vanilla, cloves, saltpeter. wood for cabinet-making, and dye-woods are the other exports. The value of the exports. which up to 1867 had been steadily increasing, has since then greatly declined, as the crops have repeatedly suffered from cyclones, persistent drought, and blight. The cereals grown in the island are not sufficient for its own wants. Cattle are imported from :Madagascar. The capital of the island, and seat of government, is St. Denis, on the n.w. coast, with 9000 inhabitants, a college, a botanic garden, etc. Lat. 20° 52' s., long. 55° 30' east. The mean temperature here is 77° F There is-an almost total want of harbors, the whole coast of the island possessing only two tolerable anchor. ing-places—one at St. Denis, and another at St. Paul, 18 m. further se nth. The coast is consequently very dangerous. In one year, 1848-44, no less than 11 large vessels were wrecked. B. and Mauritius were discovered by the Portuguese navigator, Mascarenhas, and named afrrr him, the Mascarene isles. After theFrench had begun their attempt to found a colony in Madagascar, they took possession of B. in 1640, giving it that name, which was changed to Reunion at the revolution, and to Isle Bonaparte in 1809. The name has been varied according to the political changes in France. The French having, in 1720, taken possession of Mauritius, which they named Isle of France, the Mascarene isles were placed under one governor. In 1810, they were taken by the British, but 11. Was restored to France in 1814.