Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Easter Island is a remote island located in the South Pacific Ocean. Though a special territory of the country of Chile, Easter Island is considered part of Polynesia. It is most famously known for the statues (moai) that were carved and placed throughout the island by natives between 1200 and 1500.
History - Geography and Land - People & Government - Labor, Production, & Tourism
History
Easter Island, also known as Isla de la Pascua or Rapa Nui, was settled in approximately 700 AD by a small group of Polynesians. For hundreds of years after settling, the population grew and the culture thrived. The people lived off the island’s lush resources. Around 1100 AD, the settlers began to construct the moai statues. The nearly 900 statues were carved out of rock to represent ancestors.
Though stunning pieces, the moai statues are believed to have aided in the near destruction of the island and its culture. Nearly all of the palm trees were cut down to help transport and erect the moai statues. The island’s resources became scarce. Plant species on the island became extinct. Furthermore, the island suffered from overpopulation. As resources were depleted, civil unrest began. A civil war broke out and caused unrest among the island.
In 1772, Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutchman, led the discovery of Easter Island. The island received its name because it was discovered on April 5, Easter Day. By this time, many of the original settlers had worked to repair the conflict and unrest that once plagued the island.
Still, Easter Island’s history remains somewhat of a mystery. Natives of Rapa Nui left no written record of the island’s settlement. Only oral records and anthropological research exists.
Geography and Land
Easter Island is an isolated piece of land located in the South Pacific Ocean. The island is approximately 67 square miles in size and its highest point reaches around 1,700 feet. The island was formed by three volcanoes, one at each corner of the island. The location of each volcano gave the island its triangular shape. All of the volcanoes have long been dormant.
Easter Island’s closest inhabited neighbor is the Pitcairn Islands, located nearly 1,300 miles away. The island is approximately 2,000 miles away from Tahiti and 2,200 miles away from Chile’s coast. Easter Island is considered one of the most isolated places in the world.
A once tree-covered land, the island’s trees were cut down and used for resources to build shelter, transport the moai statues, and for firewood. Easter Island is now covered mostly with shrubs, grass, and rolling hills. The island’s coastline is covered mostly with volcanic rock, but there are a few sandy beaches.
The climate in Easter Island is classified as a subtropical maritime. Winters are typically mild, with temperatures in the 50- to 60-degree Fahrenheit range. Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures topping out around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain and strong breezes are very common on the island.
People and Government
Easter Island is home to approximately 5,000 residents, though thousands of tourists flock to the island each year. Spanish, very limited English, and Rapa Nui, a native Polynesian language, are spoken on the island.
As part of Chile, Easter Island is overseen by a governor who represents the president of Chile. Six councilors are elected every four years. Elections are held in the island’s largest town, Hanga Roa. The purpose of the councilor election is to create a committee that is responsible for electing a mayor. Easter Island residents were granted citizenship of Chile in 1965. The island is considered a province in Chile’s Valparaiso region.
Labor, Production, and Tourism
Historically, residents of Easter Island relied mostly on farming. Major areas of production included sweet potatoes, yams, sugarcane, bananas, eggs, and more. Because of isolation, there were few visitors to the island, and the location made it difficult for Easter Islanders to trade with other countries.
After an airport was constructed on the island, the tourism industry began to grow. Hotels and other small businesses were built. Easter Islanders still engage in farming and fishing activities, but corn is now the most popular crop. Sheep and cattle ranching have also grown and provide the largest source of protein in Easter Island cuisine. There are now biweekly flights between Santiago, Chile, and Easter Island. The island now relies heavily on tourism. Many of those who live on the island now work for the Chilean government or in the tourism industry.
For more information about Easter Island, refer to the following websites:
- Enjoy-chile.org: This site provides a succinct history of the discovery of Easter Island and includes information about some of the activities and sights one would see on the island.
- Chile Tourism Website: This site provides some basic facts about Easter Island and information about activities to enjoy while visiting.
- Easter Island Travel Guide: This site provides facts about Easter Island, including information about the island’s geography, climate, history, and people. The site also provides travel information, including accommodations, entertainment, shopping, food, and outdoor activities.
- Let’s Go Chile Travel Website: This site provides information about Easter Island’s history, the island today, hotel accommodations, and things to see and do.
- Easter Island Tourism: Information about Easter Island’s history, culture, and activities. The site also has information about traveling to Easter Island, including vacation packages, hotel pricing, and maps. Visitors can book travel arrangements through the website.
- Easter Island Quest: Provides a detailed history of Easter Island. Visitors can also find information about traveling to the island. Includes a photo gallery.
- Polynesian Cultural Center: Provides information about Easter Island’s history, geography, location, moai statues and some interesting facts.