Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

A lonely volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, as far away from Chile as from Tahiti, Easter Island is famous for its mysterious stone statues, or moais, that form an almost unbroken ring around the coast. Three hundred statues and related items of stonework, which were built during the 10th to16th centuries, grace the island. Scientists are fascinated to learn how native inhabitants designed and forged the massive sculptures from hard volcanic rock, and how they transported them to the coast from inland quarries. Today, about 2000 people inhabit Easter Island, most of them living in the town of Hanga Roa.