Discover Easter Island

Posted in Easter Island by admin on August 30th, 2010

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, over 2,000 miles from any other significant mass of land or population, the small oasis of Easter Island (approximately 63 square miles) amid a desert of water is one of the most isolated places on the map. Currently close to 5,000 people call the small island home, estimated at the height of its civilization to have close to 10,000 inhabitants. Only a blip on the radar as far as worldwide land or population is concerned, the small island has well out-contributed its size in terms of cultural significance.Named for its “discovery” on Easter Sunday of 1722, the small island was already an already developed culture of its own by the time the Europeans landed. Archaeologists theorize the islanders were the descendants of an individual group of Polynesians who discovered the small chunk of land, took up residence there, then never contacted their original homeland again, or any off-island entities for that matter. It is likely that even if the islanders wanted to get off Easter Island they would have difficulty doing so, due to the lack of lumber in the area, necessary to build any rudimentary seafaring vessel. Recognizing themselves as Rapa Nui, the island people of varying skin colors developed a unique society all their own. Aesthetically, the Rapa Nui were characterized by extravagant tattoos and large earlobe-extending discs. Their religion is believed to center around large statues constructed from volcanic rock, called “moai,” perhaps the most iconic image remaining from their island culture in today’s society.For those who want to experience the remnants of perhaps the most isolated civilization in world history, with no fear of being stranded forever, tourist accommodations now exist on the island. Easter Island is home to a small airport accessible through Lan Chile, with flights back and forth from both Santiago, Chile and Papeete, Tahiti.