Rapa Nui, in any other case referred to as Easter Island (or Isla de Pascua), is likely one of the most distant inhabited locations on the planet.
Rapa Nui, in any other case referred to as Easter Island (or Isla de Pascua), is likely one of the most distant inhabited locations on the planet. It is laborious to search out on a map — the island is little greater than a stray dot within the huge southeastern Pacific Ocean. Its closest neighbors are the tiny Pitcairn Islands (some 1,200 miles away), whereas the closest continental level is Chile, which is 2,200 miles to the east — or 5 hours by flight.
Map of Easter Island, or Rapa Nui.
Regardless of its excessive seclusion, most individuals know of Easter Island for one cause: the moai sculptures. And they’re sufficient to draw practically 100,000 vacationers yearly to this island of simply 5,700 inhabitants.
Touching down in the midst of nowhere
Approaching by airplane, three distinct volcano craters emerge on a triangle of inexperienced grass fringed by black shoreline. Every thing else — in all instructions — is barren blue ocean.
Aerial view of the Ranu Kao volcanic crater.
Patricia Hamilton
Flights arrive at Rapa Nui’s small Mataveri Airport within the city of Hanga Roa. The texture right here is immediately extra Polynesian than Chilean, regardless of Chile’s annexation of the island in 1888.
Except for the language, imported meals and family items, the connection between Rapa Nui and Chile is obscure. Many of the island’s inhabitants are of Polynesian descent and plenty of nonetheless converse a neighborhood dialect, along with…