Chile’s Easter Island holds incredible history and natural wonders, from Moai statues to Rongo-rongo traditions, making it one of the world’s most mysterious tourist destinations.
Easter Island, located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, is one of the most mysterious and fascinating tourist destinations in the world. Famous for its iconic Moai statues, the island holds many interesting facts that are not widely known by many people.
With a rich history, unique culture, and incredible natural scenery, Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a must-visit for those interested in archaeology, culture, and natural beauty. Let’s explore 10 interesting facts about Easter Island that will make you even more curious to visit it.
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1. Origin of the Name Easter Island
Easter Island was first discovered by a Dutch Admiral, Jacob Roggeveen, on April 5, 1722, which fell on Easter Sunday. Therefore, Roggeveen named the island “Paasch-Eyland” which means Easter Island in Dutch.
However, in addition to the name Easter Island, the island is also known as Rapa Nui, which is used by the local population. However, the origin of the name Rapa Nui is still debated, and some argue that this name was given by slave raiders from Peru in the 19th century.
Previously, the island was believed to have the original name Pito O Te Henua, which means “center of the world” in the local language.
2. Location of Easter Island
Easter Island is located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is the most remote inhabited island in the world.
Administratively, Easter Island is part of Chile and is located about 3,700 km from the Chilean mainland.
Its remote location makes it a very unique and difficult to reach place, but its natural beauty makes it a highly sought after tourist destination. The island is only accessible by air, with Mataveri Airport being the only access to the island.
3. How to Get to Easter Island
The only way to get to Easter Island is by plane. Easter Island’s Mataveri Airport has international flights, primarily from Santiago, Chile, with LATAM.
Flights from Santiago to Easter Island take about five hours, while flights from Tahiti in French Polynesia take about seven hours.
Mataveri Airport also has a unique history, having been built by NASA as an emergency landing strip for the space shuttle, adding to its appeal as a location with an interesting story.
4. Origin of the Population of Easter Island
The first inhabitants of Easter Island are believed to have come from Hiva Island in the Marquesas Islands, Polynesia, around 1,500 years ago.
An adventurer leader named Hotu Matu’a is a major figure in the early legends of Easter Island’s settlement. He brought his people to colonize and settle the island, building a remote society, far from the outside world, until the arrival of European colonizers centuries later.
5. Current Population of Easter Island
At its peak, around the 1200s, Easter Island had about 10,000 inhabitants. However, the population experienced a drastic decline to only around 2,000-3,000 people in the 19th century.
This decline was due to several factors, including deforestation leading to erosion of volcanic soil, as well as hunting and diseases brought by colonizers.
The island’s population continues to decline today, although in recent decades, efforts to preserve local culture and environment have helped improve the island’s condition.
6. How Moai Statues Are Made
One of the main attractions of Easter Island is the Moai statues, which are known throughout the world. The statues are made of tuff, a type of volcanic rock found in the crater of the Rano Raraku volcano.
The process of making the Moai statues was done by hand or using stone chisels to shape the relatively soft tuff rock. The statues were then transported throughout the island, but exactly how they were moved remains a mystery.
Some of the Moai statues are so large, weighing up to 82 tons, that the existence of the buried statues adds to the mystery of Easter Island’s history.
7. The Meaning of the Moai Statues
The Moai statues on Easter Island were made to honor and represent the faces of ancestors which were considered symbols of strength and honor.
The statues mostly face towards the settlement to provide protection to the people on the island. Some statues also have hat-like or hair-like shapes, which symbolize power.
Although there were once thousands of Moai statues, many of them have been lost or taken off the island by collectors. Many Moai are also found in major museums around the world, such as the Louvre in Paris and the British Museum in London.
8. Annual Tapati Rapa Nui Festival
Easter Island has a very famous annual festival, the Tapati Rapa Nui, which is held every year in early February. The festival lasts for two weeks, where two teams led by a “queen” compete to be the “Queen of the Island” for the year.
Activities at this festival include traditional dancing, wood carving, and playing musical instruments. Tapati Rapa Nui is a very important celebration in Rapa Nui culture and is a major attraction for tourists who want to experience local culture.
9. Rongo-Rongo Holy Book
Rongo-Rongo is a very mysterious holy book and has not been read until now. This book contains symbols carved on wood or tablets, and is believed to contain important messages about astronomy, navigation, and local wisdom.
The Rongo-Rongo Book is believed to be the great lesson of Hotu Matu’a, but unfortunately, no one knows how to read the symbols. Until now, Rongo-Rongo remains a mystery that attracts scientists and researchers from all over the world.
10. Tourist Activities on Easter Island: Snorkeling and Diving
Apart from its cultural and historical beauty, Easter Island also has extraordinary underwater natural beauty. Tourists who visit can enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving around the island.
The waters around the island are about 50-60 meters deep, making it an ideal place to explore the diverse marine life, including tropical fish, coral reefs, and other marine life.
This activity is a perfect choice for visitors who want to enjoy the natural beauty of Easter Island from a different perspective.
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of the most mysterious and magical tourist destinations. With its rich history, unique culture, and stunning natural beauty, Easter Island offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
From the famous Moai statues to the Tapati Rapa Nui tradition, this island holds many stories waiting to be uncovered. If you are looking for a destination that combines natural beauty and rich history, Easter Island is the perfect choice.
Similarly, Gouqi Island offers a unique charm with its stunning abandoned fishing village covered in lush greenery, making it a fascinating destination for nature lovers and photographers.
