Réunion Island, France History

Previously uninhabited, Réunion was colonized by the French in 1665. The intention was to provide a supply station for the East Indiamen. Population grew from 1,000 in 1700 to 15,000 (two thirds of them slaves) in 1750 and 65,000 (three quarters of them slaves) in 1800. Following the abolition of slavery in 1848 indentured laborers from India, Indo-China and China were brought in to work the sugar plantations which had become, and remain, the island’s economic main stay. The island is now an overseas department of France.