Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry from
May to November, hot and rainy from November to April
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along
coast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);
Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
international agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 679,198 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 112,413; female 107,187)
15-64 years: 62% (male 207,386; female 214,308)
65 years and over: 6% (male 15,610; female 22,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.93% (1996 est.)