Cilaos

Cilaos is a municipality with 5623 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the French overseas department of Réunion.

Geography

Cilaos is in the Cirque de Cilaos in the center of the island, on the south side of the Massif du Piton des Neiges. The name means as much as snow-capped mountain peaks. The neighboring municipalities are Les Avirons, Entre -Deux, Saint- Benoît, Saint- Leu Saint- Louis, Saint -Paul, Salazie and Les Trois- basins. Striking mountains in the Piton des Neiges Cilaos are and the Col du Taibit. Forests have names like Forêt du Grand Matarum, Forêt de la Mare à Joseph and Forêt you Tapcal.

Climate

In Cilaos definitely the world's largest 24 -hour rainfall was measured: On 15 / 16th March 1952 fell within 24 hours, 1870 liters / m² rain.

History

The settlement was founded in the 17th century by slaves who had fled to the mountains from the plantations (called Marrons ). The name is often attributed to the Malagasy Tsilaosa expression that designates a " place where one is safe ." Today the church is a member of the Association of Municipalities CIVIS ( Communauté des villes intercommunale solid aires ).