Easter Island Chile Moai Travel Vykort

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is a remote volcanic island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, renowned for its enigmatic Moai statues. These massive stone figures, some towering over 30 feet, were carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries as representations of their ancestors, believed to hold spiritual and political power. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is dotted with nearly 900 Moai, often positioned on ceremonial platforms called ahu. Easter Island’s dramatic landscapes, featuring rugged coastlines, extinct volcanoes, and rolling grasslands, add to its mystical allure. Visitors can explore sites like Rano Raraku, the quarry where Moai were carved, and Orongo, a ceremonial village tied to the Birdman cult. Despite its isolation, Easter Island remains a vibrant repository of Polynesian culture, blending history, natural beauty, and enduring mystery.