|
|
|
Country Profile
|
 |
| Easter Island, a province of Chile, lies between
the west coast of South America and Pitcairn Island, its nearest inhabited
neighbour. It is situated in approximately 28 deg 10 min S latitude and
109 deg 30 min W longitude. Santiago, the Chilean capital, is 3790
eastward; Pitcairn is about 1600 km westward. The official Spanish name
for the island is Isla de Pascua. Other languages translate it similarly
so that in French it is known as Ile de Pâques, German Österinsel and so
on. It is known also as Rapanui, a Polynesian name dating back to the
1860s. Some early European explorers refered to it as Te Pito o Te Henua
(The navel of the world) or Vaihu, both of which are local place names. The island has an area of 166 sq. km and the 1992
census shows a resident population of 2,770 persons. The coastline mostly
is rugged, with few sand beaches, with the interior composed of low gently
rolling hills, volcanic in origin.
Hangaroa, on the west
coast, and adjoining Mataveri are the only settlements, although there are
plans for a new town along the south coast, as the population
increases.
The island is administered by a governor
appointed by the Chilean Government. Since 1984, the governor has been an
islander. The Chilean peso is the official currency, although US dollars
circulate legally. The coat of arms, national anthem, flag and most public
holidays are also those of Chile. There are two exceptions. Firstly, 9
September, the day Rapanui was annexed, is celebrated as "Policarpo
Toro Day", after the Chilean naval captain responsible for the
arrangement. More moveable is "Tapati Rapanui" or Rapanui Week,
which takes place usually at the end of January or beginning of February
and is a cultural and sporting celebration of life on the island.
GOVERNMENT
An Islander has been
governor of the Province of Isla de Pascua (including the uninhabited
island of Sala y Gomez) since 1984, the first being Mr. Sergio Rapu Haoa,
an archaeologist and museum curator. In 1992, the Governor is Mr. Jacobo
Hey Paoa, a former school teacher and the island's first lawyer. Governors
under the Chilean system have been always appointed from the centre and
aim to represent the President of the country.For administrative purposes,
the Province of Isla de Pascua includes the uninhabited island of Sala y
Gomez. It is in the V Region of the country, along with the port city of
Valparaiso and the resort Viña del Mar. The Municipality of Hangaroa
holds elections every four years to elect six counsellors, one of whom
becomes the Mayor by election. At the most recent election, on 28 June
1992, the vote was so close that two counsellors will hold the position
each for two years.
JusticeThe legal is the same as in Chile
and is operated on an island basis. There is a Chilean judge at the court
house and a civil registry department. The Carabineros, a National Police
force, have about two dozen men stationed on the island who work as the
airport police, do traffic patrols and generally maintain order.
Liquor and gambling. Liquor laws are the
same as in Chile, with a liberal interpretation. There are penalties for
drink driving. There is no formal gambling, apart from soccer pools and
private card games. Customs on importing alcohol and tobacco are rarely
enforced. There are adequate supplies of Chilean produced alcohol,
including the excellent wines, widely available.
DEFENCE
All branches of the four
Chilean armed forces are represented on Rapanui, with the Navy having the
largest staff of 35 persons, including 22 Marine Infantry stationed from
1992 as a demonstration of sovereignty. The Navy has a small patrol boat, Tokerau,
intended for marine rescue. There is a small contingent of Air Force
personnel, but no aircraft. There are occasional Rapanui Army draftees.
The Carabineros are the most visible of the armed forces on the island.
THE LAND
Rapanui is triangular in
shape, with its longest stretch being along the south coast of 22km and
its widest point being 11km. At each corner of the island, there is an
extinct volcano, the highest of these being Maunga Terevaka at 506m in the
NW. Its crater is known as Rano Aroi. Geologically, the island started at
Poike peninsular, about 5 million years, with the other major cones
following. This vulcanism means that the island has no high centre, but
consists of around 80 cones of various sizes, with very rocky plains.
There are numerous volcanic tubes, forming an extensive system of caves,
mostly unexplored in modern times. The coastline is mainly rocky, with
high, black cliffs and only a few white sand beaches, the main one being
Anakena, on the side of the island opposite Hangaroa village. Anakena is a
much appreciated tourist and picnic spot and also is the site, according
to tradition, of the landing of the mythical founder of Rapanui, Hotu
Matu`a, or "Great Parent". There is no evidence that there has
been volcanic activity during human habitation. Along with Rano Aroi,
there are two other "Ranos" featuring fresh water lakes in their
calderas. Rano Kau is behind Hangaroa village on the southwest corner,
while Rano Raraku rises from a plane in front of Poike. Rano Raraku was
the main quarry on whose south side virtually all the ancient moai,
or commemorative busts, were carved.
Due to its southern location, Rapanui is
sub-tropical and oceanic, with trade winds blowing from the east and SE
during most of the year. In the austral winter, temperatures can feel
quite chilly, especially when combined with wind and rain during the
months of July and August. The yearly mean temperature is
22[[ordmasculine]] C, with a variation between 18[[ordmasculine]] (August)
and 25[[ordmasculine]]C (January). There appear to be cycles in modern
times of drought and storm, with precipitation varying by as much as
1000mm (ie 500mm to 1500mm). The sun feels strong, again with wind, and
visitors should wear strong sun protection and hats.
From the late 19th century, the island was turned
over to sheep ranching, with around 60,000 head being the average herd.
Over two dozen varieties of eucalyptus and other trees were imported from
Australia, along with grazing grasses. Since these plantations requiring
firing to reproduce adequately, native flora has suffered and largely
disappeared. The unique Toromiro exists only in a Swedish botanical
garden, with repeated attempts at re-introduction failing. Even inside the
relatively protected calderas, native flora struggles for survival. Of the
over 200 species found on the island presently, three quarters are human
introductions. Sea-birds, a small number of insects and a native lizard
are the survivors of the past; the native rat was replaced long ago by the
imported European one. Most animals, cats, dogs, horses, cattle, pigs and
poultry, are recent importations, as are the numerous cockroaches.
From an Islander point of view, there are three
principal villages. Mataveri is the name of the island's airport and the
area between that and Rano Kau. For much of the colonial history, Mataveri
was the headquarters of the company in charge of the island's commercial
exploitation. Today, it is where the Carabineros have their headquarters
and it is entirely the place where government housing for various public
services is found. Moeroa village runs roughly from the north side of the
airport to nearly the government office centre, which is located, along
with the municipality, school and church, at Hangaroa. Within those broad
areas, there are prominent place names such as Apina, Tahai and so on that
identify where people live. There is a growing system of roads in the
municipality, each with names, but people rarely use them. Some few people
live outside the main settlement area near their plantations.
Spatial orientation is important to Rapanui and
instead of greeting with an inquiry about health ("Pehe koe?"),
it is common for people to ask from where one is coming ("Maihe
koe?") and to where one is going("Kihe koe?". People do not
regard such questions as being intrusive.
PRIMARY PRODUCTION
Traditional plantations
of taro, sweet potato, sugar cane, yams, bananas and gourds continue to be
cultivated, along with more recent crop introductions such as tomatoes,
onions, maize, grapes, figs, melons, beans, pineapples and various fruit
trees. Individual gardens demonstrate even greater variety since Rapanui
frequently flaunt strict Chilean agricultural controls and bring cuttings
back for experimentation, either for production or ornamentation. Recent
research suggests that prior to human habitation, the island was heavily
forested, notably by a relative of the Chilean gigantic palm (Jubaea
chilensis). Whilst there is nothing in the Rapanui tradition, it is
notable that this palm provides an edible fruit and sugary fermentable
sap.
In general, there is a decline in flora and fauna
as one moves from the large, rich Melanesian islands, to the smaller and
more remote Polynesian ones. Rapanui is the extreme of this rule. In
ancient times, livestock consisted of the Polynesian chicken and rat
(Kio`e), there being no evidence of either pigs or dogs. Modern pigs are
called `oru ("fat"), whilst cats have taken the usual name for
dog as "kuri". Dogs are known by the unique term
"Paehenga". Sheep, horses, cattle, pigeons, quail, hawks and
ducks have been introduced since European settlement. Jean Baptiste Onésime
Dutrou-Bornier, in partnership with John Brander, businessman, and
Catholic Bishop Tepano Jaussen, brought 435 head of merino sheep from
Sydney, along with construction materials and armaments, in 1872, which
provided the island with its only significant export, an annual wool clip.
The ranch at Vaitea, in the centre of the island, features an Australian
inspired architecture.
Livestock. The sheep population reached
over 60,000 head, consisting mainly of corriedales and Australian merinos
and the entire island, bar the small settlement of Hangaroa, was turned
over to ranching for much of its colonial history. At the annual shearing,
each clip was about 2.8 kg and all wool was classified on the island and
sent to Chile. This operation commenced its decline in the 1950s,
culminating in the end of the sheep era in November 1985, with the last
slaughter.
In the 1970s, with the end of the sheep ranching
in view, a herd of about 400 head of cattle was imported from Punta
Arenas, Chile, to provide local meat for local consumption. Horses were
introduced by the sheep ranching operation in the last century and people,
especially those who cannot afford motor vehicles, use them for
transportation. The local herd reach several thousand in the 1970s, was
reduced when used to feed the population and now, once more, is on the
rise. Excellent tuna is caught by local fishermen for
local consumption, along with the much appreciated (by outsiders)
crayfish. There are other local varieties of fish worth tasting. Islanders
enjoy raw sea urchins and a few other shoreline delicacies. The
"nanue" is a strong smelling, fatty local fish much appreciated
by Rapanui.
|
| |
|
Export industries in the past have included horse
meat, pineapples and, even, crayfish, but these are not constant, due to
the high cost of air freight and its unreliability. A recent initiative is
an attempt to produce small quantities of preserves, a current brand name
being "Tuku Turi", after the unique kneeling moai on the
slopes of Rano Raraku.
INDUSTRY
Most industry is on an
individual basis, producing good quality copies of the famous artefacts.
If given time, skilled Rapanui carvers can reproduce from photographs and
drawings any of the beautiful art works of their ancestors, now held in
museums around the world. Carvings are in island soft volcanic stone and
local timber, "miro tahiti" being the favoured, although others
are used. There are also miniature replicas of the large commemorative
figures, moai, for which the island is best known. As well as
traditional designs, there are imaginative carvings based on local themes
and genuine creative artists working in oils and other media. There is
small manufacture of textile printing, T-shirts and cloth wrap arounds,
and other products, intended mainly for visitors, but used also by locals.
Services, such as vehicle and electronic repairs, are available, along
with shoe repairs. As the community is small, manufactures come and go
with individual interest. There is often a film developing (black and
white and, sometimes, colour) service.
TOURISM
Most people pin their
hopes on tourism for the island's development. Until the 1960s, the only
way to Rapanui was by ship, either the annual supply one or on cruises.
With the coming of an American Air Force Base in 1966, the Mataveri
airport facilities were enlarged, resulting in limited charter services in
modified DC-6B aircraft. 1970 saw the airport improved and the
commencement of scheduled weekly 707 flights. Again, a USA financed
initiative in 1986, to prepare Mataveri as an emergency landing site for
the space shuttle, resulted in a further enlargement of Mataveri so that
larger aircraft can safely land there now. The Concorde made its first
flight in the late 1980s. Tourism averages 6,800 visitors annually, mainly
from South America. Persons taking the LanChile flight between Papeete and
Santiago can take advantage of the one hour stop over to make a quick tour
of nearby archaeological sites. Servicing this population are 7 hotels and
36 residenciales, the latter ranging from a room or two in a private home
to multi-room annexes. Prices for accommodation vary greatly according to
quality and many of these operators meet the plane and can make
arrangements on the spot. Several of the larger establishments have
international connections and bookings can be made through airlines and
travel agents. There are two flights weekly between Santiago and Papeete,
with the stop over on Rapanui. During the summer months, December to early
February, there is often a third flight between Santiago and Rapanui only,
to cater for the extra demand. Some few cruise ships continue to call at
the island on an irregular basis.
LOCAL COMMERCE
There are some 85
licenses to operates businesses that have been granted by the
municipality. Supermarkets, or "mixed businesses", predominate,
selling a variety of Chilean groceries, with imported fresh fruit and
vegetables. As well, limited clothing items, cosmetics, an ice cream shop,
even video hire and supplies, are available. Services such as hair
dressing, sewing and several snack bars and restaurants are available.
There is a small hardware store and specialist shops of various sorts
depending upon the interest of islander owners. Fresh bread is available
from 2-3 bakeries, along with other similar products. Souvenirs, both
local manufacture and imported, such as cassettes and books, are available
from several shops. There is a branch of "EMAZA", a government
supported shop intended to bring cheap food to remote places and in front
of that people sell locally grown fruits and vegetables. On the square
near the church is a large gallery, with individual stalls featuring local
handicrafts. Most of the commerce is to be found on the road between the
church to the fishing wharf ("Te Pito o te Henua") and the main
road running from the school and municipality to the airport
("Policarpo Toro"). Fresh meat is sold at a government run
butcher shop at the small port of Hanga Piko. Prices are quite high,
especially when compared with the rest of Chile, since goods are bought
often retail in Santiago, imported air freight and sold in small
quantities. Prices can increase for a variety of reasons, including the
exchange rate between the Chilean peso and the USA dollar. To take an
example, at the beginning of 1992, 1 kilo of bread baked on the island
cost 480 pesos ($A1.92); by November of that same year, it was selling at
600 pesos ($A2.40). There is one petrol station on the island, located
near the airport, and prices are cheaper than in Chile, as there are no
local taxes.
All local commerce, including hotel and tourism
operations are in Rapanui hands. All local businesses require a local
partner since all land either is owned by the state (SASIPA and National
Park) or registered in Rapanui names. Whilst outsiders may be shop
assistants, even managers, those who control the businesses are Rapanui.
The definition of a "Rapanui" for the purposes of holding land
title is that at least one parent was born on Rapanui or descended from
someone so born. There are land "sales" between Rapanui,
although these officially are registered as transfers, the settlement
being a matter between the Rapanui in the deal. No non-Rapanui can
purchase land and leasing is very difficult.
FINANCE
Chile pays dearly for its
Easter Island province, paying more in wages for local services and
projects on a per capita basis than any other part of the country.
As there are no taxes, the island sends back little to the mainland. There
is only one bank on the island, the government Banco del Estado, and they
deal only in pesos and USA dollars. There are limited credit card
facilities, such as American Express, VISA and MasterCharge, available at
some shops and hotels. There are no cash advance facilities on these cards
available, except by exceptional and individual arrangements with
merchants.
TRANSPORT
There are several hundred
motor vehicles on the island, mainly owned by individuals and several by
state institutions. Most favoured are four wheel drive trucks and vans,
with some buses for tourist transport. Horses, small four wheel drive
vehicles (with and without driver) and motorbikes may be hired from
businesses and individuals. Visits to most of the archaeological sites,
except for the local museum and the Tahai complex, must be made by
vehicle, although people do walk. There is an especially worthwhile walk
from Hangaroa through Hanga o Teo on the north coast to Anakena which is
recommended. As there are no roads, this must be done either on foot or
horseback. The road from the church to the small fishing wharf has been
paved with cobble stones and early in 1993 it is intended that the main
road from the school to the airport will be similarly sealed. As most of
the roads become very dusty, the prudent pedestrian will observe the
direction of the dust and move to the opposite side of the road as
required. In town, there is a 20km/hr speed limit. Outside town, due to
the poor condition of the roads, it is rare to exceed 50km/hr without
considerable danger. The roads to the main sites are well marked, although
a guide is recommended for those wishing to find out more about the place.
Some cruise ships and small yachts do anchor
around Rapanui at various times of the year and there are formal port and
customs clearance requirements, at Hangaroa, that must be observed. Hanga
Piko is the only enclosed harbour for small boats, although there are
docks and storage huts for local fishermen to use at Aka Hanga, Hanga o
Hoonu ("La Pérouse") and Anakena. There is a small tie up
facility for local fishermen at Hangaroa. The petrol tanker unloads its
cargo into the large storage tanks located at Vaihu. Hanga Piko does have
three 16m landing craft for unloading the supply ship, small cranes,
warehouses and electric light.
LanChile is the Chilean national airline and is
the only one permitted to land at Mataveri. Lan uses mainly DC 767, but
occasionally the old 707 is called into service. The flights are between
Santiago and Papeete, the most popular sector being the Rapanui-Santiago
segment, which often is heavily booked. Due to traffic in South Americans
now resident in Australia, the entire flight may be booked, so
re-confirmation and early arrival at the airport is recommended to secure
ones seat. Flying time from Santiago is about 5 hours, from Papeete only
4, although these times vary by as much as an hour depending upon
prevailing winds and the direction of the flight. The standard of the
landing equipment at Mataveri is amongst the best in the Pacific and
Mataveri has had a good passenger terminal since 1982. The passenger
terminal has a small bar, both for transit and those embarking and limited
souvenir shops.
COMMUNICATIONS
Considering the
remoteness of Rapanui, communications are excellent. ENTEL, the Chilean
national company, maintains an installation of 400 telephones, fully
automatic, most in private homes. Since June 1992, the service is now
fully automatic from the island to anywhere in the world. This
means that all telephone numbers on Rapanui have had to add the prefix
223, before the actual number. To call Rapanui, one must go through the
operator in Santiago. In 1992, a monthly charge of 4,000 pesos ($A16.) is
made, including all local calls. Calls to Chile and overseas are charged
at Chilean rates. There is daily radio contact with Chile maintained by
government radio and telex. Since the early 1970s, volunteers from the
Chilean Air Force base have kept "Radio Manukena" in operation.
Most recently, in addition to AM sending, it can be found at 101.8 FM. In
1992, as part of its increased presence on the island, the Chilean Navy
commenced stereo broadcasts at 98.5FM. Short wave reception is excellent
and many listen to AM broadcasts from the USA in the evenings. Television
programmes are sent by video tape on the Lan flights and these run from
1800 to 2400 hours, with some variations for special events. There are
local news and information programmes from time to time, made usually on a
volunteer basis. Video and television equipment is in many households and,
through kin relations, all have access to these media. Chilean
periodicals, mainly newspapers and some magazines, arrive on the
airplanes. There are some amateur radio operators amongst the residents
and short term residents.
WATER AND ELECTRICITY
Water is administered by
SASIPA, a semi-government company, who also look after the electricity and
the agricultural development on the island. Water is reticulated from
wells in the Hangaroa area and is treated to be safe to drink.
Electricity, also widely available, but expensive by world standards, is
provided by diesel generators to 220v Chilean standard, using a 2-pin
round plug. The USA constructed Hotel Hangaroa maintains its American
standard 110v 2-pin flat plug.
FACTSHEET OF CHILE
- Location:
Southern
South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean,
between Argentina and Peru
- Area:
total
area: 756,950 km² land area: 748,800 km² comparative area: slightly
smaller than twice the size of Montana Note: includes Isla de Pascua (Easter
Island / Rapa Nui) and Isla Sala y Gomez
- Land
boundries: total
6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
- Coastline:
6,435
km
- Maritime
Claims: contiguous
zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
- International
disputes: short
section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has
wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama
area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water
rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory)
partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
- Climate:
temperate;
desert in north; cool and damp in south
- Terrain:
low
coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
- Natural
resources: copper,
timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum
-
Land
use: arable
land: 7% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 16% forest and woodland:
21% other: 56%
- Irrigated
land: 12,650
km² (1989 est.)
- Environment: current
issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water
pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of
biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: severe
earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis international agreements: party to
- Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert
one of world's driest regions
For more information on the Sights
of Easter Island, go to:
|
|
Go for further general
information on Easter Island to:
|
|
For travel
information on Easter Island, go to:
|
|
We have included Easter Island in some of our specials to the South Pacific, eg. our
Kontiki
Voyage. Another option is to create your own package to Easter
Island by utilizing the seperate travel components, like
hotels,
flights and
excursions
on the islands. |
|
|
|
