Easter Island

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Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) Volcanic island in the se Pacific; the chief town is Hanga Roa. The most isolated island in Polynesia, a Dutch navigator discovered it on Easter Day, 1722. Chile has administered the island since 1888. It is famous for the curious hieroglyphs (rongorongo) and formidable statues carved in stone, standing up to 12m (40ft) high. It is mainly hilly grassland. The subtropical climate allows a variety of crops, such as sugarcane and bananas. Industries: farming, tourism. Area: 163sq km (63sq mi). Pop. (2000) 3618.

http://www.netaxs.com/~trance/rapanui.html; http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/Easter_Isld_Pge.html; http://www.pacificislandtravel.com

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