Saint-Philippe
Saint -Philippe is a municipality at the southern tip of the French overseas department of Réunion. It forms the canton of Saint -Philippe, part of the Arrondissement of Saint- Pierre, and has 5031 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011).
Geography
Saint -Philippe is the southeast corner of the island, bordering the municipalities of Saint -Joseph and Sainte- Rose. The largest part of the municipality 's population lives along the coast.
History and Administration
The first inhabitants of present-day municipality is settled from 1760 in the hamlet of Le Baril. These came mostly from the neighboring community St.Benoit. The construction of the first chapel was begun in 1822, was completed in 1834.
The community was founded in 1830. On January 1, 1848 the date of the abolition of slavery in Réunion, were in the municipal area in 1002 " Free citizens " registered out of a total population of 1930 citizens. As the only community of Reunion Saint -Philippe does not belong to the community associations of the island. The Association CIVIS she left in 2002.
Education
Located in Saint -Philippe, there is a Collège, but no Lycée.
Economy and Tourism
A long time, the cultivation of cloves, nutmeg, and the fishing was wearing a crucial role in the commune of Saint -Philippe. In the middle of the 19th century, these cultures were replaced by vanilla and sugar cane. Two sugar mills ( Baril and de la Trinité ) were built in this period in the municipality.
In addition to the cultivation of sugar cane today palm heart - palms, as well as spice vanilla plays a role. Furthermore, there is in the community a mineral water bottling.
Compared to other communities of Reunion of Tourism in Saint -Philippe has only minor importance. According to the agricultural orientation one has a " spice and smell path " is created. In the jungle-like Forêt de Mare Longue also can get to know on a trail native plant species and the special ecosystem of subtropical wet forest.
On the coast, the Cap Méchant ( " malicious Cape ") is a popular tourist destination. It is characterized by bizarre formations of cooled lava and was in former times a dreaded point for sailors: The irregular coastline structure, which is also due to the volcanic activity often changed, the navigation was difficult here and there occurred numerous shipwrecks.
Attractions
- The cooled lava flows of volcanic eruptions of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano in the district of Le Tremblet.
- Several trails lead to the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise.
Sports
- Sainte -Philippe is the starting point of the diagonal of the La Ultra marathon Fous ( German: crossing the madman ).
- Football club: ASSP - Association Sportive de Saint -Philippe.