At a distance of 1,800 miles from the nearest inhabited area, we find one of the most mysterious and isolated places on the earth, Easter Island or "Te Pito Te Henua" (navel of the world) as it was originally named by its King Hotu Matua. This now Chilean National Park, which was discovered on the Easter Sunday of 1722, and its Polynesian inhabitants, the Rapa Nui people, offer us a land of remarkable natural beauty and impressive archaeological sites. Easter Island is considered the largest open air museum in the world and is mainly characterized by the Moai statues which have heights of up to 60 feet and weights of up to 100 tons. Hanga Roa is the island's most important urban center, and is where you will be able to find its most popular restaurants and its nicest hotels; it will also be your starting point for visiting amongst many interesting and beautiful places, the Anakena Beach, a marvelous area for swimming and relaxing by the sea's warm and transparent waters; Tahai, with its group of ceremonial altars, which make up the best restored archaeological center close to the city; Orongo, an antique and magnificent ceremonial area, located on the west summit of the Rano Kau Volcano; and the Rano Raraku Volcano, located northeast of Hanga Roa, where you an open quarry shows you where the carving of the Moai statues took place.
		© Intrans, 2010