NA%; seats by party - PCR 7,
UDF 8, PS 6, RPR 4, various right-wing candidates 15, various
left-wing candidates 5

note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate;
elections last held 14 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); results
- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 1, PCR 2;
Reunion also elects five deputies to the French National Assembly;
elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA
2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
PCR 3, PS 1, and RPR-UDF 1

Judicial branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Reunion or PCR
[Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice
PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for
French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: FZ, InOC, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of
France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of
France)

Flag description: the flag of France is used

Reunion Economy

Economy - overview: The economy has traditionally been based on
agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a
century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The
government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to
relieve high unemployment, which amounts to more than 40% of the
labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the poor is
extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social tensions. The
white and Indian communities are substantially better off than other
segments of the population, often approaching European standards,
whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and unemployment typical
of the poorer nations of the African continent. The outbreak of
severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the seriousness of
socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of Reunion depends
heavily on continued financial assistance from France.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.4 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1998 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Infl