Saint-Denis, Réunion

Communefra
nomcommune=Saint-Denis|

caption=Panoramic view of the city from the heights of Bellepierre.


région=Réunion
département=Réunion (préfecture)| arrondissement=Saint-Denis
canton=chef-lieu of 9 cantons
insee= 97411
cp= 97400
maire= René-Paul Victoria
mandat= 2001-2007
intercomm= CINOR
longitude= 55.46
latitude= -20.87
alt moy=
alt mini= 0 m
alt maxi= 2 276 m
hectares= 14 279
km²=142.79
sans=
133,700
131,557
date-sans=Jan. 1, 2004 estimate)
(March 8, 1999 census
dens=936|date-dens=2004|

Saint-Denis (or unofficially Saint-Denis de la Réunion for disambiguation) is the "préfecture" (administrative capital) of the French overseas "région" and overseas "département" of Réunion, in the Indian Ocean.

Saint-Denis is the most populous commune in the French overseas departments. At the 1999 census, there were 158,139 inhabitants in the urban area of Saint-Denis, 131,557 of whom lived in the city (commune) of Saint-Denis proper and the remainder in the neighbouring commune of Sainte-Marie.

History

Saint-Denis was founded by Étienne Régnault in 1669 and became the capital of Réunion island in 1738.

Transport

The closest airport is Roland Garros Airport which is also the main international airport of Réunion. The Réunion Tram Train, scheduled to start construction in 2008, will link the city to the airport and to Réunion's second city, Saint-Paul.

Politics

Mayors

* 2001-: René-Paul Victoria, UMP
* 1994-2001: Michel Tamaya, PS
* 1989-1994: Gilbert Annette, PS
* 1969-1989: Auguste Legros, RPR

Sister cities

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* )

Miscellaneous

The hotels in Saint-Denis include Mercure Creolia Hotel, Austral Hotel and Best Western.

Prince Bao Vang of Vietnam (also known as Yves Claude Vinh San) the son of Emperor Duy Tan, was born and currently resides in Saint-Denis, Réunion with this family.

External links

* [http://www.ville-saintdenis-reunion.fr/ Official website] (In French)