Réunion is a French volcanic island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century and colonized by France in 1642 under the name "Île Bourbon," it became a key colony for coffee and sugar cane plantations. Slavery was abolished in 1848 and replaced by indentured labor until the 1930s. In 1946, Réunion became a French overseas department, marking a shift towards rapid modernization. Today, it is a vibrant mix of cultures with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, tourism, and services, while maintaining its remarkable natural and cultural heritage.