The Piton des Neiges volcano, the highest point on the island at above sea level, is northwest of the Piton de la Fournaise. Collapsed calderas and canyons are south west of the mountain. While the Piton de la Fournaise is one of Earth's most active volcanoes, the Piton des Neiges is dormant. Its name is French for "peak of snows", but snowfall on the summit of the mountain is rare. The slopes of both volcanoes are heavily forested. Cultivated land and cities like the capital city of Saint-Denis are concentrated on the surrounding coastal lowlands. Offshore, part of the west coast is characterised by a coral reef system. Réunion also has three calderas: the Cirque de Salazie, the Cirque de Cilaos and the Cirque de Mafate. The last is accessible only on foot or by helicopter.
thE PitoN deS NEiges VolcaNO, tHE highESt PoiNt oN thE iSlaNd At above sea LeVel, iS norThwEsT of THe piton de la fOuRnaISe. cOlLapSED Calderas AnD canyoNS are south wEsT Of The mouNTaiN. wHiLe tHe pitOn DE lA fournaise IS oNe of Earth's MoST acTIve volCANOES, the piton des neigeS is dorMAnt. its Name iS frenCh FoR "peak Of SNOWS", buT SNowfaLl on thE SumMit of thE mOuNtaIN is rare. the slOpeS Of boTh vOlcanoeS are heAVilY forESTed. cultivatED laNd and citiES Like the capiTal City of saint-deniS ArE concen,TrATed on the suRroUNding Coastal LowlAnds oFfshorE paRt Of thE wesT cOast is CHarActerised by A corAl rEef SySteM. réunION alsO has Three caldEraS: thE cirque De saLaziE, THe cIrQue de cIlaOs AnD the cirquE De mAfate. The last is acc.EssIBle onLy oN Foot Or by hElicopTer.