Chile | Mysterious Easter Island

Easter Island is located in the eastern South Pacific, about 3,600 km east of mainland Chile, at 27°S, 109°W. The island was discovered and landed on by Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1722, hence the name. Locals call it Rapa Nui. Geographically, the island is part of the Polynesian Islands, located at the eastern end of the archipelago, and is the most remote island in the world. Easter Island Statues Moai are a group of giant statues located on Easter Island, scattered throughout the island, and are one of Chile's tourist attractions and world heritage sites. Some moai are placed on stone platforms called "ahu." These moai are only half-length, with a pair of long ears, deep-set eyes, a high nose, and a sharp chin, with a solemn expression. Some statues have "coral eyes." Many moai look exactly the same, except for one called "Tukuturi," which has a lower body and is kneeling on the ground, with a beard and a pair of short ears.