Saint-Denis, Réunion
Saint- Denis (English: holy Dennis ) is a municipality and capital of the French island of La Réunion, which lies between Mauritius and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and the status of a French overseas departments (French département d'outre -mer) and a French region has.
The municipality has 145 347 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011).
- 5.1 traffic
- 5.2 Education
Geography
Saint- Denis is located in the northwest of the island directly by the sea. Neighboring communities are La Possession in the West, Salazie in the south and Sainte -Marie in the east.
The highest point of the municipality is the Roche Écrite with a height of 2,276 m.
History
The city's name comes from a cargo ship that belonged to the French East India Company and reached the island in 1667. The commander of the ship Etienne Régnault decided to initially settle in Saint -Paul with some settlers. In 1669 he came to Saint -Denis, appeared to offer a better defense of the bay. Of greater importance was the place only under François Mahé Island Governor de LABOURDONNAIS. In 1738 was the capital of Saint-Denis Réunion, sparking Saint -Paul from. The construction of the first district began in 1742 according to plans of the engineer Pierre Guyomar. The still recognizable checkered floor plan is, however, largely based on a design by Gustave Chevalier Banks from the year 1777.
Policy
Maire (Mayor )
- 2008-2014: Gilbert Annette, PS
- 2001-2008: René -Paul Victoria, UMP
- 1994-2001: Michel Tamaya, PS
- 1989-1994: Gilbert Annette, PS
- 1969-1989: Auguste Legros, RPR
Twinning
Culture and sights
The center of Saint- Denis offers many shopping opportunities; In addition to numerous boutiques and the daily jewelery and clothes market in the pedestrian zones here find souvenir shops as well as countless cafes.
In the city center is also the " Jardin de l'Etat " ( in German: Garden State ), a kind of exotic park with fountains and palm trees, at the end followed by a museum. Saint- Denis is also rich in old buildings and museums, and has a beautiful Rathaus ( " la mairie " ), which is reminiscent of the inside of a magnificent villa. All major religions are represented on Reunion Island in the city, in addition to churches, there are Hindu temples and mosques. Directly on the pedestrian zone is the largest mosque in Noor -e -Islam with a distinctive minaret, which was the first in the whole of France in their construction.
Economy and infrastructure
Traffic
You can reach the city's best by the " Littoral ", the coastal road that leads once around the island. Within the next few years in addition to a tram to be built, which will connect the light rail and surrounding cities.
The main airport of the island of Reunion airport, is located about ten kilometers east of the city center.
Education
In Saint- Denis is located just outside the center of the island 's only university, the Université de la Réunion.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Lacaussade Auguste (1815-1897), French writer
- Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939), art dealer
- Marius Leblond (1877-1953), writer
- Cazamian Louis (1877-1965), Anglist
- Roland Garros (1886-1918), aviation pioneer
- Jean -Henri Azéma (1913-2000), poet
- Raymond Barre (1924-2007), politician
- Younous Omarjee (* 1969), politician
- Daniel Narcisse ( born 1979 ), handball players