
Moai, Easter Island © Chile Tourism
Rapa Nui, or 'Navel of the Earth' as the natives know it, is one
of the world's most isolated places, situated 2,361 miles (3,800km)
west of mainland Chile. It is practically an open-air national park
protecting the archaeological sites and Moai, the giant stone
statues that the island is famous for, which are scattered all over
the landscape. These figures stand at heights of up to 32 feet
(10m) and are at the centre of the island's magnetism.
There is still uncertainty as to the origins of the first people
on Rapa Nui, and the 12 centuries between their arrival in 500 AD
and the first European discoverers in 1722 remains one of the
world's great mysteries. Included among the archaeological sites on
the island is the Rano Raraku volcano where the moai were cut from
the volcanic rock. In a bizarre scene, over 600 figures are
scattered on the slopes of the volcano, some in the early stages of
development and still part of the rocky cliffs and others partly
buried or stacked in an irregular line. For years researchers have
puzzled over the method of construction and transportation of these
megaliths from the quarries inland to their present day coastal
positions. It is the mystery of the unknown artisans and the
intriguing remainder of their awesome work that continues to draw
researchers and tourists from around the world today.
Most of the island's 2,000 inhabitants live in the main town
Hanga Roa. It has accommodation, restaurants and transport as well
as a museum on the Rapa Nui people and their history.