Where is Easter Island?

"Where is Easter Island?"- The issue of interest to many.The location is exotic and wrapped in a bunch of legends and beliefs.However, getting there is not easy.

Where is Easter Island: the coordinates

small piece of land, annexed by Chile in the early twentieth century, situated in 3600 km from the South American continent.The nearest island group - 2075 km to the east.It is not difficult to guess that of all the inhabited places of Easter Island is one of the most remote.The area of ​​this unique monument of culture rapaniyskoy of 163.6 km2.It is a very small size and remote location of the continental land due to questions about the whereabouts of Easter Island.By the way, this combination is absolutely incorrect, since the island in that region alone, and considered the island for small bits of rocky shallows - hardly correct.More surprising, that such a far lost in the waters of the Pacific island refuge in the lands of their small nation amazing Rapa Nui, which supposedly erected amazing stone sculptures.

Background

Certainly, few know where the Easter Island.His story is no less interesting than the location.

Island originated standard for numerous archipelagos and atolls of the largest ocean planet: thanks to volcanic eruptions.Persistent eruption and violence of the winds made difficult to reach the shore for mooring ships: there are only two places where you can step on the coast with the ship, did not crash on the rocks previously.

first colonists reached this piece of land of the lost 1300 years ago.They have noticed a large palm groves that once were put on the construction of houses and boats.Later, a small civilization had hard times: the constant attacks of pirates reduced the population of the Peruvian land each year.In addition, Catholic missionaries destroyed the artifacts of the people of Easter Island than have caused irreparable damage to the unique culture of Rapa Nui.Currently, the remnants of ancient structures are under UNESCO protection.

Moai stone statues

How Rapa Nui created the famous stone statues, not known until now.They are blocks weighing up to 14 tonnes and can reach a height of 4 meters.Curiously, the idols can be found everywhere: in places where Easter Island meets the ocean, or in the back, near the mountains and volcanoes.In other words, the cult of the Moai was of great importance for the population era of erecting stone idols.Presumably, they were built to mark the death of tribesmen: the larger statue, the greater the honor of the dead.However, the question arises: "How boulders moved from one point to another island?"

The answer is to find the most likely will be impossible.However, prototypes of future results unfinished statues suggest, that the idols first hollowed out of rock, and then on the logs or ropes transported from one part of the island to another.

How to get there?

It would seem that knowing where the Easter Island to reach its shores without any problems.Unfortunately, it is not.You can try your luck and sit on one of the ships that depart for the shores of Australia or South America, going to conquer the vastness of the Pacific, especially as the first inhabitants reached the island on dilapidated boats.However, the most appropriate option - to fly the aircraft.

But not all so simple and with a flying unit: reach the coveted places can only be from Chile and Tahiti.For residents of Russia, even Australia is very far, and this is only a staging post on the way.In total, the flight to the shores of the famous island will take a few days and eat a fair amount of finance.It should also be remembered that the island is only one city, so that the examination of the UNESCO World Heritage - the only joy that is available to the tourist.

When attending?

Despite the remoteness of the place where the Easter Island, it is quite a popular tourist region, with its periods of downturn and an influx of visitors.Given the fact that this piece of land is located near the equator, the snow drifts meet here can not be at any time of the year.However, the high season begins in the summer: from January to March.This is followed by a decrease of tourist flow, although the temperature conditions are still not very severe: about 17 degrees during the coldest months.Thus, if you want to enjoy the beauty of Easter Island without the noisy crowds, it is best to visit in the period from April to November.

Easter Island is a unique place.Here you can admire the volcano, visible even from space, unique stone sculptures.In addition, the population of the island has a lot to tell travelers, as local tradition handed down from generation to generation.So now we know where the Easter Island, and that they, or rather he is present.