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· DESCRIPTION
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Easter Island or Rapa Nui (Big Island in rapanui language) is a Chilean island located in Polynesia, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,600 km west of Caldera. It has an area of 163.6 km ² (which makes it the largest island of the island Chile) and a population of approximately 3,800 inhabitants, concentrated mostly in Hanga Roa, existing capital and only town. The nearest land is Ducie Island, belonging to the British territory of Pitcairn.
Administratively, it forms near the uninhabited Sala y Gomez Island commune Easter Island which is the province of Eastern Island, part of the V Region of Valparaiso. However, a constitutional amendment made in 2007 established the island as a "special territory" so that their government and administration shall be governed by a special status, as defined in the respective constitutional organic law, by pronounced.
The island is one of the major tourist destinations due to its natural beauty and its mysterious ancient culture of ethnic Rapa Nui, where only traces correspond to huge statues known as moai. To preserve these features, the government administered through CONAF Rapa Nui National Park, while UNESCO declared the park as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
It has a tropical rainy climate and is the only place in Chile where a tropical climate prevails. The average annual temperature is 21.8 ° C reaching its maximum of 24.6 ° C in January and a minimum of 19.2 ° C in August, very wet tropical climate, so in general the winters and summers are temperate. |
| · ACCESS |
By Air
There are flights several times a week from Santiago of Chile and Papeete (Tahiti). These arrive to Mataveri International Airport.
Lan Chile is the only airline to offer scheduled flights to Easter Island. The trip takes approximately 5 hours
By Sea
During the months of December to April, stops cruises from Europe in the island . |
| · TRANSPORT |
| Within the island there are different means, either taxis or rental cars and motorbikes. |
| · ACTIVITIES |
DIVING
Diving on Easter Island is an unforgettable adventure, this island for its volcanic origin, presents an underwater topography consists of caves, arches, cliffs, lava platforms, etc, which together with the large amount of coral, tropical fish, color and clarity of its waters make diving, just overwhelming and exciting.
SNORKELING
Visibility and temperature of our sea invites snorkeling, recommended places, beach Ovahe in the Hanga Roa bay area, and the Motu, giant Coral among others.
FATHER SEBASTIAN ENGLERT ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Although the island is in itself an outdoor museum full of moai, ceremonial sites, and petroglyphs, the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum has a large collection (about 1,500 pieces) that represent the cultural heritage of the island. The museum, founded in 1973, also has a large collection of photographs, traditional music, a library with 3,000 publications and found the only female moai.
HERITAGE TRAIL ROUTE
Located on the slopes of Rano Kau, the path begins within the urban area in the southwestern tip of Rapa Nui. Can also be accessed by the entrance to CONAF. The section is 3.31 miles long.
There are nine stations along a route of hiking / trekking up the slopes of Rano Kau, and ending with the arrival of the ceremonial village of Orongo.
It is a path of heavy use and presents an intermediate slope terrain. The path is the same natural ground demarcated by overlapping stones. As in the rest of the island, has a subtropical climate, and can be used all year.
The stretch Te Ara o Te Ao, was formerly used to reach the Orongo village in times of Tangata Manu or Birdman ceremonial. Along the way may find themselves Manavai greenhouses (archaeological replicas), those with native species as Toromiro or Gnaoho. The section of the slope, meanwhile, has introduced flora, eucalyptus trees and shrubs lucuma guava. (Information obtained www.senderosdechile.cl)
FISHING
For fishing enthusiasts can talk directly into the cove with the fishermen to go fishing or hunting.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Walk from the museum sector through Akivi Ahu, take a road to Ahu Akivi and amounts to a volcanic crater lake covered with reeds called Rano Aroi and arrive at the highest point of the island "Maunga Terevaka" (560-580 MTS ).
FESTIVALS
Undoubtedly the most important festival is the Tapati Rapa Nui, this festival takes place the first fortnight of February each year, brings many cultural, ancestral dances, crafts, cuisine and sports. By this date is necessary flight and lodging reservations several months in advance. Program Tapati Rapa Nui 2009 |
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| Weather in Isla de Pascua |
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