How long does it take to drive around Easter Island?

Easter Island is one of the smallest islands I have ever stayed on, and definitely the smallest I’ve ever driven on. At about 10 miles at its widest point, you can drive around the island in a full loop in just over an hour with a few quick stops.

How big is Easter Island compared to other states?

Easter island is 0.05 times as big as Rhode Island (US) It is the smallest U.S. state by area and the seventh least populous (1,059,361 as of 2019), but it is also the second most densely populated behind New Jersey.

Does anyone live on Easter Island?

Despite its extreme seclusion, most people know of Easter Island for one reason: the moai sculptures. And they are enough to attract nearly 100,000 travelers every year to this island of just 5,700 inhabitants.

What is the carrying capacity of Easter Island?

Most archaeologists agree on estimates somewhere between 4,000 and 9,000 people, although a recent study looked at likely agricultural yields and suggested the island could have supported up to 15,000.

Is Easter Island safe to visit?

According to the U.S. State Department, crime rates throughout Chile are fairly low. Most visitors to Easter Island travel through the capital city of Santiago which, like any big city, has a higher crime rate. Crime on Easter Island is infrequent, but it is always wise to keep an eye on your money.

Is Easter Island Expensive?

Unfortunately, Easter Island is hideously expensive to visit because it’s so remote — over 3,700 kilometers away from Santiago, Chile. Understandably, it’s not the most budget-friendly island in the world. However, it’s also not impossible to visit on a budget. You just need to plan ahead and keep some things in mind!

What language is spoken on Easter Island?

Islanders smile, sing and dance in polyester costumes to cater to the mostly Spanish-speaking spenders. Ever since Chile annexed Easter Island more than a century ago, the Spanish language has been chipping away at the Polynesian-based language called Rapa Nui.

Why are there no trees on Easter Island?

Easter Island was covered with palm trees for over 30,000 years, but is treeless today. There is good evidence that the trees largely disappeared between 1200 and 1650. However there is evidence the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) was present from 900 and it seems clear that these rats caused widespread deforestation.

Who owns Easter Island today?

Known as Rapa Nui to its earliest inhabitants, the island was christened Paaseiland, or Easter Island, by Dutch explorers in honor of the day of their arrival in 1722. It was annexed by Chile in the late 19th century and now maintains an economy based largely on tourism.

Does Easter Island have Internet?

WiFi is only available in the main town of Hanga Roa at hotels and Internet cafes (most restaurants don’t offer WiFi) but even then, the connection can be patchy. In 2016, the Chilean government implemented its WiFi ChileGob program on the island, a public service project that provides free WiFi in public places.

Does Easter Island have an airport?

Easter Island is served by Easter Island Mataveri Intl Airport, also commonly referred to as Easter Island, Isla de Pascua, Mataveri Intl, or simply Easter Island Airport. The airport code is IPC.

Is there a McDonalds on Easter Island?

There are no fast food franchised like McDonalds, Taco Bell or KFC on Easter Island, but they do they Club Sandwich which sell huge hotdog and hamburgers with toppings that the locals like. We chose this restaurant because all the locals and tourist were eating there.

Did Easter Islanders commit ecocide?

Recent archaeological evidence shows the remote islanders didn’t commit ‘ecocide’ after all.

Are there any Easter Islanders left?

The Rapa Nui are the indigenous Polynesian people of Easter Island. At the 2017 census there were 7,750 island inhabitants—almost all living in the village of Hanga Roa on the sheltered west coast.

Why did the population collapse in Easter Island?

Destruction of society and population. A series of devastating events killed almost the entire population of Easter Island in the 1860s. Such devastating events that contributed to the downfall and collapse of the Easter Island society can be attributed to the rapid deforestation during the time of moai-construction.