About Easter Island
Easter Island, the most remote inhabited island in the world, is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between South America and Polynesia. The island and its primitive native population were discovered in 1772 by Dutch Explorers on the day of the Christian celebration of Easter, giving the island its name. Upon the discovery of the island, Dutch explorers immediately noticed the island's 887 mo'ai, which are the island's enormous human figure statues carved from single pieces of stone. For hundreds of years, the statues of Easter Island have baffled historians and archaeologists. How did a seemingly undeveloped population manage to manufacture such incredible pieces of art and transport them to the coastline?
Years after the Dutch first witnessed the mysteries of Easter Island, historians began to piece together the story. The statues were actually the product of a once thriving, intelligent civilization of over 15,000 islanders that was destroyed by overuse of the island's resources and disease. This has become a tell-tale story that shows the consequences of over-consumption of natural resources. It is a story cited regularly by environmentalists.
Today, the island is home to a population of 4,000 and brings in over 50,000 visitors each year. Visitors are able to explore the quarries from which the mo'ai were carved as well as the rest of the beautiful, mysterious island.
Travel Advice For Easter Island
As said before, Easter Island is the most remote inhabited island in the world, but getting there is actually a lot easier than you think! To visit, just fly into Easter Island through a number of South American cities, including Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile. While you're there, be sure to take a guided tour of the island on a large bus or rent a car and explore it on your own. Also, see the Rano Kau and Rano Raraku, the island's two massive volcanic craters. Then, if you're looking to relax after all your adventuring, head over to the island's immaculate white-sand beaches. No matter what you do, vacationing in Easter Island will be one of the best decisions you ever make! See some more breathtaking views of the island below.
This post was written by Hogan Bradford, Tripping Blogger.