RapaNui(EasterIsland)
Overview:
RapaNuiisoneofthemostisolatedislandcommunitiesintheworld.Theisland,IsladaPascuaProvince,ChileissituatedinthePacificOceanover
3,700kilometerswestfrommainlandSouthAmerica.Theislandistechnicallyspeaking,asinglemassivevolcanorisingover10,000feetfromthe
PacificOceanfloor.ThesettlementoftheislandbyseafaringPolynesiansabout1,500yearsagowasaccompaniedbydomesticatedplantsand
animals.ThesepeopledevelopedacultureandcivilizationonRapaNuioveraperiodofhundredsofyears,thecivilizationwhichflourishedeventually
collapsedbeforeEuropeanexplorersmadefirstcontactin1722.RapaNuiisanexampleofacivilizationwhichexceededthecarryingcapacityofthe
naturalresourcebaseallottedtoitsplaceonearthandsufferedbrutaltreatmentbycolonialstates.Theislandservesasaclassicexampleofa
metaphorforglobaleconomicdevelopmentanalysis.SincediscoveryanddominationofRapaNuibyanumerouscolonialpowers,recoveryofthe
islandhasbeenslow.
Territory:
RapaNuiwasbornofvolcaniceruptionsfromthreevolcanoes;RanoKauisthehighestcone1,674feetabovesealevel.Theislandistechnically
speaking,asinglemassivevolcanorisingover10,000feetfromthePacificOceanfloor.Someoffshoreislandsaremadealmostentirelyofabsidiana
mineralusedinspearmaking.Therearenoflowingstreamsontheisland,wateriscollectedfromlakesorfromwells,andthelakesarecoveredby
thicklayersoftotorareeds.
Location:
RapaNuiisoneofthemostisolatedislandcommunitiesintheworld,situatedinthePacificOceanover3,700kilometerseastfrommainlandSouth
America.
LatitudeandLongitude:
27degrees9minutessouth109degrees26west
TimeZone:
GMT-6
TotalLandArea:
16
EEZ:
3
Climate:
RapaNuiissubtropicalandoceanic,withtradewindsblowingfromtheeastandsoutheastthroughoutmuchoftheyear.Theannualmeantemperature
is21Celsius,withavariationbetween8inAugustand31inJanuary.Annualprecipitationrangesbetween50cmand150cmperyearandarriveson
predominantlyEasterlyandSoutheasterlytradewinds.
NaturalResources:
AtthetimeoffirstsettlementbyPolynesianmariners,RapaNuiwascoveredwithendemicfloraandfaunainwoodlandofpalmtreesandshrubs
coveredingrasses.Theislandhasanexcellentclimateandgoodsoilconditionsforthecultivationofawidevarietyofagriculturalcrops.Therewere
manyendemicspeciesoffloraandfaunabeforetheintroductionofspeciesaccompanyingthesettlementofRapaNuibyPolynesiansabout1,500
yearsago.Theriseofasignificantculture,theensuingculturalcollapse,andcolonizationoftheislandbyvariouscolonialinterestssincethenhas
denudedtheislandofit=soriginalforestcover.By1500thepeopleofRapaNuihadkilledoffeveryspeciesoflandbirdontheislandandoverhalfof
theislandseabirdspecies.
ECONOMY:
TotalGDP:
2006
976,300,000.00USD
PerCapitaGDP:
2004
4,910.00USD
%ofGDPperSector:
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
%ofPopulationEmployedbySector
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
2000
16%
22%
62%
ExternalAid/Remittances:
ThegovernmentofChilespends$1.5millionUSDperyearheretohelpthelocaleconomyandmaintainthelocalgovernment.Thegovernmentof
JapanhasrecentlycooperatedwithUNESCOinfunding$670,000forarcheologicalpreservationwork.
Growth:
EconomicgrowthinChilehasbeensteadyinthelastdecadeandeconomicgrowthonRapaNuiisdependentongovernmentinterests.Economic
growthhasoccurredmorerecentlywithinfrastructuredevelopmentinthestockofhousingandpublicworkswithconstructionofpublicbuildings.There
isalsothedevelopmentoftourismfacilitiessincetheopeningoftheairportontheislandinthe1970's.Duringthelastdecade,Chilehashadoneofthe
bestsocio-economicperformancesintheLatinAmericaregion.Onaverage,GDPhasgrownatarateof6.3%inthelast10yearperiod,incomesrose
inthetenyearperiodto2000by56%,unemploymenthasfallento7%,andtherehasbeenamarkeddecreaseinpoverty,from45%in1987to19%in
2003.Inflationhad,intheeighties,exceeded20%;inflationratesarenowstableatarateunder5%.Chileisadevelopingeconomyshowingremarkable
economicperformanceandprogresswithaslightbalanceoftradedeficit.Theindustrialbasehasexpandedinsteel,petroleumrefining,shipyardsand
manufacturing.Thecountryisaworldleaderincopperexportsandimportspetroleumandnaturalgas.Macroeconomicmanagementhasbeen
exemplary,policieshavebeenrulesbased,andincrediblesettings.ModernChilehasinheritedaninfrastructuredeficitinthetelecommunicationsand
transportationindustries.TheGNIpercapitainChileonaPPPbasisis$11537(2004),thisequatesto$4,910USD.Chilehasoneofthemostunequal
incomedistributionprofilesofanyLatinAmericancountry.Theaverageincomedifferentialisover5timesearningsindifferentareasofemployment,
andthemeanincomedoesnotreflectthisvariationbetweenhighwageearnersandlowwageearners.PercapitaincomeinChileisonaverageat30%
oflevelsintheUnitedStates,or40%oflevelsintheOECD.
LabourForce:
Unemployment
Year:
UnemploymentRate(%ofpop.)
1992
4.92%
Industry:
TheeconomyofRapaNuiisbasedonmixofagriculture,fishing,governmentservices,transportationandtourism.Sincethedevelopmentofpolitical
stabilityinChileinthe1990'stherehavebeenmanychangesandincreasingdevelopment.
NicheIndustry:
RapaNuihasauniqueplaceinglobalmarkets;theworldtrademarkistheiconicmoaistatues.RemnantsymbolsofEasterIsland'sriseandfallandthe
modernstoryoftheRapaNuipeople.Alotofartisproducedandsoldbyresidentsreplicatingtheformofthemoai,andthereisalargeamountof
literatureandresearchintothelessonsthatcanbelearnedfromtheRapaNuipeople.Therearenewspaperreportsofconsiderationbeinggivento
buildingaprisonontheisland,Chile'spenalsystemisnotoriouslyovercrowded,andjailsonthemainlandroutinelyexceed100%capacityonaverage,
somemorethanothers.
Tourism:
AnnualvisitstoRapaNuiaverage6,800visitors,mainlyfromChile.Servingthetourismindustryare7hotelsand37residenciales,makingupatotal
capacityofsome833bedsin1997.Onehotelhas130rooms.Tourismtotheislandbeganin1966withtheopeningupoftheairport,andhascontinued
sporadicallysincethenthroughoutthelast40years.Theattractiontotheislandhaslongbeenrecognizedbytheformationofapark.In1966Easter
IslandTouristNationalParkwascreatedunderthedirectionoftheMinistryofAgriculture.In1972theNationalForestryCorpwasassigned
managementoftheareaandin1976draftedthefirstmanagementplan.Atthistimesomesmallerislandsoffthecoastweredeclarednature
sanctuaries.In1993theparkgrewto16,460acresbutdemandbyislandersforagriculturallandcreatedsomegiveandtakeonacreageandthe
eventualprotectionof17,600acresin1999.In1996therewere10,586touristarrivals,47%wereEuropean,12.5%wereNorthAmerican,9%were
Asiansandthebalancewerefromnumerousorigins.Sincethebeginningofthetouristindustry,numerousproposalshavebeenentertainedbythe
governmentincludingresortcasinodevelopments.Tourismisviewedasamajorsourceofemploymentandbusinessactivityforthefuture.Tourist
accommodationsrangeincostfrom$60to$120perday.OveralltourisminChileisgrowing.In2003,adownyearintheindustry,overseasvisitsto
Chileincreasedby14%
ImportsandExports:
Theislandisinasignificanttradedeficitposition.Chilehasverygoodtraderelationswith
EuropeanUnion,Japan,andChinawhoarethelargestimportersofChileanfish.Chilehasexport
traderelationswiththeUSA14%,Japan11.4%,China9.9%,SouthKorea5.5%,Netherlands
5.1%,Brazil4.3%,Italy4.1%,Mexico4%.OverallAsiaabsorbsonethirdofChileexports.The
averageimporttariffis8%onproductsenteringthecountry.
Tot.ValueofImports
0.00()
FromEu:
ImportPartners(EU:)
PartnersOutsideEU:
ImportPartners:
Tot.ValueofExports
()
ToEu:
ExportPartners:
PartnersOutsideEU::
ExportPartners:
MainImports:
Maininmportsincludepetroleumproducts,foodandhousehold
goods.
MainExports:
Exportsindustriesinthepasthaveincludedhorsemeat,
pineapples,crayfish,beefandwool.
TRANSPORTATION/ACCESS
External:
NumberofAirports:
NumberofMainPorts:
Internal:
Air
Road:
Sea:
OtherFormsofTransportation:
EconomicZones:
EasterIslandaddsasignificantterritoryinrelationtoChileanEEZclaims.ThetotalexclusiveeconomiczoneofChileis3,150,739squarekilometers.
ChiledeepeneditslongstandingcommitmenttotradeliberalizationwiththesigningofafreetradeagreementwiththeUS,whichtookeffecton1
January2004.ChilesignedafreetradeagreementwithChinainNovember2005.
EnergyPolicy:
Electricityiswidelydistributedbyasemi-governmentcompany,SASIPA;electricityiscreatedfromdieselgeneratorsontheislandandisexpensiveby
worldstandards.
Type
Sector
Total
TotalEnergy
Public
Public
Energy
Thermic Geothermic Other
Domestic Commercial
Industry
Year
Consumption
Service
Lighting
Production (Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
(Mwh)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
OfficialCurrency:
ChileanPeso
BankingandInsurance:
NumberofBanksandCreditUnions:
NumberofAgriculturalCreditUnions:
NumberofInsuranceCompanies:
Thereisonebank,BancodelEstadodeChile,ontheislandwhichdealsinChileanPesosandUSdollars;thereislimitedaccesstocreditcardfacilities
atlocalbusiness.
FinancialServices:
ThereislimitedaccesstoemployeepensionplansinChile,only65%ofemployeeshaveaccesstoretirementsavingsplans,andthemajorityof
unskilledlaborershavenoplanatallTheIMFhassuggestedwaysinwhichChilecouldimproveregulationoftheinsuranceindustryaswellasimprove
thescopeofcapitalinvestmentsthatcanbemadebyinsurancecompanies.
Communications/E-Commerce:
Telephones,fax,internet,satelliteTVareallavailableontheisland.Internetuseisincreasing,risingtocloseto20%ofthepopulationin2004.
PublicOwnership:
MostofthelandonRapaNuiiscontrolledbytheChileangovernment.
LandUse:
LanduseishighlycontrolledinRapaNui,mostofthelandiscontrolledbythegovernmentofChile,oranarmofthegovernmentlikeSASIPAfor
businesspurposes,andthebalanceoflandtitlestransfersaresubjecttothedefinitionofbeingbornonRapaNuiordescendantofsomeonebornthere.
Landtransfersandsettlementsarestillasubjectofreportsfromtheisland.40%NationalParknowcovers17,600acres40%governmentownershipfor
forestryandbeefgrazing20%privateownership,landcannotbesoldtoforeigners.
Agriculture/Forestry:
RapaNuihasaclimateandsoilconditionssuitabletothecultivationofawidevarietyofplants,taro,sweetpotato,sugarcane,bananas,maize,gourds,
tomatoes,onions,grapes,figs,melons,beans.ThefewdozenpeoplewhoarrivedontheislandfromPolynesiabroughtwiththempigs,dogs,chickens,
bananas,sweetpotatoandbreadfruit.ResearchhasdiscoveredthatmostoftheagriculturetookplaceonPoinePeninsula,anareanowsufferingfrom
gullyerosion.Soilerosiondidnotplayaroleontheislandofthefirst700yearsofsettlement,butagriculturallandusegraduallychangedfromagroforestrytoopenlandmono-culture,theresulthasbeensevereerosionofthenaturalsoilbase.Traditionallandownershippatternsarestripswhichrun
fromtheseaupintotheinteriorsothateachlandownerhasadiversityofagriculturallandtypesandgrowingconditions.Thestyleofagriculturewhich
developedafterthedeforestationoftheislandwasdependantofstonesbeingusedascircularwindbreaksaroundgrowingcrops,tolessentheimpact
ofwind,andstonesbeingusedasmulchtopreventtheevaporationofmoisturefromthesoil.Monoculturehasnotbeenassuccessfulinthepresent
whenonly30%offoodcanbegrownlocally,ascomparedtotraditionalagriculturewhenamuchlargerpopulationwasselfsustaining.Agriculturehas
broughtaboutradicalchangeinthevegetationmixoftheisland.GrazingbyanimalsovertheyearssinceEuropeancontacthasdestroyedarcheological
sitesandcontributedtosoilerosion.Farmingpracticeshaveincludesheepandcattle,cattlemorerecently,thesheepbusinesswasdiscontinuedafter
reachingapeakpopulationbetween40,000and70,000animalsinthe1950's.AllthelandoutsideofHangaroavillagewasgivenovertosheep
production;itceasedin1985.ThegovernmentofChileconsidersthatthereare13.1squarekilometersofarablelandonRapaNuiavailablefor
agriculture.
MarineActivity:
Fishing:
RapaNuidoesnothaveawarmshallow,coralreeftosupportasupplyoffish,theonlyoptionwastogotoseainlargeseaworthycanoestoharpoon
largerfishlikeporpoiseandtuna.Fishhooksandspearsweremadefromstone.RapaNuiistheonlyPolynesianislandwhereratbonesoutnumberfish
bonesintheexcavationofarcheologicaldumpsites.TunaarecaughtregularlyontheseasoffRapaNuishoresaswellasotherminorfishspeciesand
seaurchins.RapaNuiisakeyislandintheExclusiveEconomicZoneclaimedbyChile,TheEEZofChileis3,150,739squarekilometers.
MarineLife:
Eelsofsomesizearecaughtinthecracksandcrevicesalongthecoastlinealongwithflyingfish,bonito,albacore,ray,dolphin,porpoise,shark,and
swordfish.Thecoastisseasonallyvisitedbymarinereptilessuchashawksbillturtle,greenturtle,andseaviper.
CriticalIssues:
Themostpressingneedappearstoberightsandfreedom.ThepopulationwasdecimatedbycontactwithEuropeanpowers.Thedevelopmentof
autonomyandresponsiblegovernmentisthemostcriticalissue.Endemicflora,soilerosionandgullying,thelossbysiltationandburialof
archeologicallyimportantMoaistatuesandsitesarehighpriorityaswell.Asof1996therewerenosewagetreatmentfacilitiesonRapaNui.
JURISDICTIONALRESOURCES
Capital:
MunicipalityofHangaroa.RapaNuihasverylimitedjurisdictionalpower,themunicipalstructurecontrolsonlyasmallportionoftheislandandprovides
alimitednumberofserviceslikeeducationandhealthcare,representationinthelegislativeprocessinthegoverningcountryisnotavailable.
PoliticalSystem:
ThegovernmentofChileisthedirectauthorityinforeignmatters,policing,monetaryaffairsandallothermattersofstate.TheNavalAuthorityis
historicallytheadministrativearmoftheChileangovernmentonRapaNui.Athree-year-oldMarxistgovernmentofSalvadorALLENDEwasoverthrown
in1973byadictatorialmilitaryregimeledbyAugustoPINOCHET,whoruleduntilafreelyelectedpresidentwasinstalledin1990.Soundeconomic
policies,maintainedconsistentlysincethe1980s,havecontributedtosteadygrowthandhavehelpedsecurethecountry'scommitmenttodemocratic
andrepresentativegovernment.RapanuiispartoftheProvinceofIsladePascua,andincludestheuninhabitedislandofSalayGomez.IsladePascua
ProvinceisintheVregionofthecountryalongwiththecityportwhichisthecapital,Valparaiso.RapaNuihasthestatusofacivildepartment,anda
municipalconstitution.Since1984theGovernoroftheisland,whoisresponsibletoSantiagohasbeenanIslander,thecurrentgovernorisEnrique
PakaratiIka.ThetownshipofIsladePascuaisledbyPedroPabloEdmundsPaoawhobelongstothePDC,theChristianDemocratParty.Free
electionswerefirstheldin1966,butthedictatorshipsofAllendeandPinochetinterruptedthedevelopmentofademocraticsystemofgovernment.
Electionsareheldeveryfouryears.TheSenateismadeupof48seats,38areelectedhalfofthoseelectedeveryfouryears,9membersareappointed,
includingsomeformerPresidents.TheChileanChamberofDeputieshas120seatsandelectionsareheldeveryfouryears,thedeputiesrepresent
District13,oneisfromRN,NationalRenewal,theotherisfromPPD,PartyforDemocracy.ThedistrictincludesIsladePascua,JuanFernandez,anda
partofValparaiso.TherearenoindigenouspersonsfromRapaNuiintheChileanChamberofDeputiesorintheSenate.
PoliticalParties:
Thepoliticalsystemismorestablenow,withfivepoliticalmovementscoalescingaroundthecenterleftpartyConcertacion,andthreepartiesforming
thecenterrightparty,UnionPorChile.UnionPorChilehasbeenknownasDemocraciayProgresoandUnionforelProgresointhepast.ThePresident
oftherepublicisRicardoLagosEscobar,presidentialelectionsbypopularvoteareforafour-yearterm;electionlastheld11December2005,with
runoffelectiontobeheld15January2006(nexttobeheldDecember2009)AllianceforChile("Alianza")orAPC(includingNationalRenewalorRN
[SergioDIEZUrzia]andIndependentDemocraticUnionorUDI[JovinoNOVOAVasquez]);CoalitionofPartiesforDemocracy("Concertacion")orCPD
(includingChristianDemocraticPartyorPDC[AdolfoZALDIVARLarrain],SocialistPartyorPS[RicardoNUNEZ],PartyforDemocracyorPPD[Victor
BARRUETO],RadicalSocialDemocraticPartyorPRSD[JoseAntonioGOMEZUrrutia]);CommunistPartyorPC[GuillermoTEILLIER]
ImportantLegislation:
TheEasterIslandLawwaspassedbytheChileangovernmentin1966.Furtherlegislativemeasureshavebeenintroducedsince1992withthehelpof
theUnitedNationsmovementtoimprovetheconditionsofindigenouspersonallovertheworld.
PrincipalTaxes:
TherearenotaxesontheIsland;oneoftheconsequencesofthisisthatgasolineischeaperontheRapaNuithanonthemainlandinChile.Thereisan
airportlandingfee.
AssociatedPower:
Chile
Citizenship:
ResidentsofRapaNuiareChileancitizens.
Paradiplomacy:
Someinternationalrelations,formalandinformal,havedevelopedasaresultofUNESCOinvolvementinthesite,andthedesignationofthesiteasa
WorldHeritageSite.
HUMANRESOURCES
ThepopulationStructureofChileis0-14years:25.2%15-64years:66.7%65yearsandover:8%
2002
Island
Area(kmsq.)
Population
%ofTotalPopulation
RapaNui(EasterIsland)
164
3,791
%
YearPopulation:300-800AD30-50Firstsettlementbysea-faringPolynesians1300-15008,000-10,000Populationpeak17221,000–2,500First
contactwithEuropeans18623,500187711019821,88619922,77019973,31420023,791
Population:
Year
ResidentPopulation
AgeofPopulation:
0-14
15-24
25-49
50-64
65andup
2002
25
0
0
0
8
Migration:
TheSlavetradeendedupcostingRapaNuithousandsofresidentsthroughthe1800's,withallwholefttoworkonSouthAmericanplantations
failingtoreturn.ImmigrantstoRapaNuiarepredominantlyChilean;approximately30%ofresidentsontheislandaretemporaryresidents,civilservants
andtheirfamiliesfromChile.ThenetmigrationrateforChileis0;howeverthemajorityofpopulationincreasesinRapaNuiaretheresultofimmigration
frommainlandChile.
CrudeBirthRate:
2003
15.4%
1991
22.4%
LifeExpedctancy:
LifeexpectancyforChilewouldindicate77yearsin2003CrudeDeathRate:PopulationstatisticsforChilewouldindicatethecrudedeathrateis5.76in
2003;themortalityratein1992was5.6;howeverinthe1960Â’sitstoodatdoublethat,12.5.Themostimportantreasonforthisdecreaseisadecrease
ininfantmortalitywhichwasveryhighinthesixtiesat119.5per1000livebirths.
CrudeDeathRate:
2003
5.76%
1992
5.6%
1960
12.5%
Ethnicity:
IndigenousRapanuiNativeSouthAmericanSpanishSpanish-Native-American(mestizo)
ClassDivision:
TheindigenouspeopleoftheislandwerefencedintothemainvillageofHangaroafrom1887untilthe1960'sandwerenotallowedtoventurebeyond
thestonewallthatwasbuiltaroundthem.Theeventualdevelopmentofmorefreedomandautonomyhasonlyoccurredrecently.Initialattemptsat
changeinthesixtieswerethwartedbytherepressivepoliticalsituationwhichprevailedinChile.Classdivisionsareclearlydrawnalongethniclines,
traditionallyChileansweretherulingclass,andRapanuihadfewornoprospectsorfreedoms.Approximately30%ofIslandresidentsaretemporary
civilservantsandtheirfamilies.LandownershipbynativebornRapanuihascreatedanewdivisionofincomeandstatureinsociety.Chilehasoneof
thelargestdisparitiesinincomeintheregion,incomeinequalityishigh,andaskilledworkeronaverageearns5.3timestheincomeofacomparable
unskilledworker.Classdivisionsareveryevidentinunequalincomedistributionthroughouttheeconomy.Thesocialdefinitionofwhoisanativehasnot
dependedsomuchonphenotypicalcharacteristicsasonculturalones.ThismeansthatChileansgenerallyhaveconsideredsomeonetobeanative
onlyif,inadditiontonativeAmericanfeatures,heorshehasanindigenouslastname,wearsnativeclothing,speakanativelanguage,orresidesina
nativecommunity.Consequently,theindigenouspeoplewhowishtoassimilatefullyintoChileansocietyoftentakeSpanishsurnamesaftermovingout
ofreservations.TherehavebeennoreallysalientracialdistinctionsaffectingdailylifeandpoliticsinChile,butthereisunquestionablyastrong
correlationbetweenhighsocioeconomicstatusandlightskin.
Languages:
RapanuiandSpanish
Religion:
ThedominantreligiononRapaNuiisRomanCatholic;therearesomenonbelievers,JehovahWitness,Evangelical,Mormons,andotherunspecified
religions.By1868thelastsurvivorsoftheancientcultureconvertedtoChristianbeliefs.By1990therewere3,000Catholicsperpriest.Withabout760
parishesthroughoutthecountry,thechurchisunabletoextenditspresencetotheentireCatholicpopulation.Beginninginthe1840s,theChilean
governmentsponsoredtheimmigrationofGermansettlerstothesouthernLakeDistrict.Mostofthem,contrarytothegovernment'swishes,camefrom
ProtestantpartsofGermany.Asaresult,thefirstProtestantservicesinChile,mainlyAnglicanandLutheran,beganinimmigrantcommunities.Initially,
theyweremerelytoleratedbytheauthorities,butin1865anewlawinterpretingthereligiousclauseoftheconstitutionthatdeclaredRomanCatholicism
astheofficialstatereligionpermittedprivatepracticebynon-Catholicdenominations.Chile19701992RomanCatholic90%77%Protestant6%13%
Other,Jewish,Muslim4%Atheistorindifferent3%7%
Literacy:
LiteracyratesareveryhighinChile.Ruralareasofthecountryhaveslightlylowerliteracyratesasdoindigenouspeoples.Indicationsarethat62%of
olderpersonsareliterate,while98%ofyoungerpersonsareliterateinruralChile.RapaNuischoolopenedinthe1964andliteracyrateshave
improveddramaticallysincethen.
EducationSystem:
In1956,thefirstschoolchildrenwereallowedofftheislandtostudyinChile,oneofthefirstgroupreturnedtotheislandasaschoolteacherin1964.
Thereareabout800studentsintheislandschoolsystemwhichreachestoninthgrade;in1997therewere653childrenintheK-7grades.Rapanui
Immersioneducationhasjustbecomeavailable,withthefirstclassstartingin2000.Postelementaryeducationisnotavailableontheisland,anyone
pursingfurthereducationdoessoonthemainland.
TotalPre-schools:()
TotalPrimarySchools
FirstLevel:
SecondLevel:
ThirdLevel:
TotalSecondarySchools:
TotalProfessionalSchools
Universities:
NumberofSchoolsperIsland:
Pre-school
Pub
Priv
Elementary High-school Prof. University
1
2
3
Pub
Priv
Pub Priv
StudentsEnrolled:
Year:
Pre-School
Elementary
High-school
Prof.
University
High-School
Prof.
University
Teachers
Year
Pre-School
Elementary
1
2
3
MedicalServices:
Thereisonehospitalwithamedicaldoctor,adentist,amidwife,andnursingandsupportstaffwithanambulance.Thereisnopharmacyontheisland.
ThestandardofhealthonRapaNuiishigherthantherestofChile,amajordifferencebeingthelackofdiseaseslikemalaria,dengue,andcholera
whichareassociatedwithSouthAmericaandtropicalclimates.ThegovernmentorganizesanannualmedicalflighttoRapaNuiofupto100medical
personnelandsupportstafftodealwithallspecialties,dealingwithover500consultationsandproceduresatonetime.
HISTORYANDCULTURE
History:
RapaNuiisasiteofworldimportance,witharcheologicaltreasuresleftremindingtheworldofthePolynesianseafaringgoingimmigrantsprobably
fromtheMarquesasorSocietyIslands.Thesepeoplesettledontheislandsometimein200-300AD.Theancientculturewhichdevelopedreacheda
peakaround700AD,continuingtheerectionofstatues(maoi)until1350.About230statueswereactuallymovedfromquarries,thereare394statues
stillattachedtotherockfaceateverystageofmanufacture.Another200ormoreareleftontheancientroadbetweenthequarryandthecoast.The
statuecultseemstohavebeenbasedonanideologyofmale,lineagebasedauthorityincorporatinganthromorphicsymbolism.Thestatueswere
symbolsofpowerandauthority,bothreligiousandpolitical.After1350thestructuresstartedtofallintodisrepairanddisputesroseamongtheislanders
probablyresultingfromfamine,theislandhavingbeendenudedoftreesincreasingtheproblemscausebydroughtconditions.By1700thepopulation
droppedtobetweenone-quarterandone-tenthofitsformernumber,andmanystatuesweretoppledin“clanwars”.Sacredritualsshiftedafter1350
fromerectinglargestandingmoaitotheannualbirdmanfestival,atimewhenwarriorsplungeintotheseafromthehighcliffsatOrongo,toretrievethe
firstlaideggsofsootyternnestingonoffshoreislands.FirstcontactwithwesternEuropeanculturescontinuedafterfirstcontactbytheDutch,Jacob
RoggeveenlandedwiththreeshipsonEasterDay1722,andnameditaccordingly.Forsomereason,Roggeveenlandedwith120marines,became
warybytheexcitedcrowd,openedfire,andkilledanumberofresidents.SomeresearcherssuggestthatthePapaNuiculturedidnotsomuchcollapse
asbedestroyedbytheintentsandpurposesofEuropeanslavetraderswhokidnappedtheislanders,andthewhalersandcolonistswhocontinuedthe
deliberatedestructionoftheislandenvironment.TheSpanishclaimedRapaNuiin1770,althoughtheislandstillseemedtobewithoutaprotectorate.
Whalersvisitedtheislandregularlyinthe1820'sand1830's,andthenSlaversvisitedinthe1860'swithdevastatingeffects,removingover1,000people
in1863toPeruvianplantationsandenterprises.BetweenDecember1862andMarch1863anestimated1,000to1,400peoplewerecapturedand
deported.Therealconsequencesofthissocialdevastationweretherapeandmurderofmanynativesandtheintroductionofsmallpoxandother
diseases.Theprocessofenvironmentaldegradationwascompletedin1866withtheintroductionofrabbits,sheep,pigs,horsesandcattle.Thelast
sightingsofastandingmoaistatuewerereportedbyaFrenchnavalvesselin1832.FrenchCatholicmissionarieshadalottodowiththeaffairsofthe
islandthroughthelate1860's,butby1870havingproventobebrutalmasters,theyweredrivenfromtheisland.Thepopulationreachedthelowlevelof
only110personsatthistime.SeriouscontactwiththemainlandcountryofChilebeganin1870,andin1888thechiefsontheislandsignedaDeedof
CessionwritteninSpanishandRapaNui.TheChileansplottedagainsttheislanders,eventuallypoisoningthelastking,andherdingtheislandersinto
containedareaswithnorightsuntil1966.Throughoutthiscentury,ChileanauthoritiesforbadeislanderstoleavetheHangaroaarea,afencewas
erectedaroundthesettlement,andwrittenpermissionwasrequiredtovisittherestoftheisland.Aftertheescapeofsomepoliticalprisonersinthe
1930's,movementsoftheislandweremoreseverelyrestricted.Thecampwassurroundedbyabarbedwireenclosurewithtwogatesandnoonewas
allowedtopassthroughthegateswithoutpermissionoftheChileanmilitaryleader.Thegateswerelockedat6pmandby1964therewerestill1,000
survivingRapaNuilivinginthissituation.AnAirportwasbuiltbytheAmericanAirForcein1966,andscheduledweeklyflighttotheislandbeganin
1970.Thearrivaloftheairforcebasecoincidedwiththedevelopmentofdemocraticinstitutionsontheisland,thearrivalofthevote,andtheEaster
IslandLaw.TheAmericansdepartedquickly,however,aftertheelectionofSalvadorAllendeGossensin1970,andthebloodycoupin1973ended
furtherfreedom.ApetitiontotheUnitedNationsCommitteeonDecolonizationprecipitatedtheinstallationofthefirstRapanuitobeGovernorofthe
Islandin1984.Continuedcommunityagitationfinallybroughtaboutthecreationofenduringdemocraticinstitutionsby1992,andtheRapaNuicontrol
thelocalcouncilnow.
Referenda:
RecentSignificantEvents:
ThereturnofdemocracyinChilewithinthelastdecade.TheintroductionofRapaNuiImmersionschoolingforislandchildrenin2000.
Music,Dance,HandicraftandPatrimony:
DistinctiveRapanuicustomsincludedancing,stringfingerstorytellingandwatersports.Artisansalsocreatesculpturesandgraphicartsreplicatingthe
WorldHeritageSitefigures.ObsidianisabundantonRapaNuianditsabundanceisuniqueinthePolynesianculture.Itwastraditionallyusedforspear
pointmaking,andsculpturesremnantofitspast.OtherancientskillsincludemakingAmahutebarkcloth,chippingobsidiantomakestonetools,and
shellnecklacemaking.TheannualTapatiFestivaltakesplaceinlateJanuaryorearlyFebruary,afortnightofcelebrations,completewithparade.There
areactivitiesvaryingfromhorseracing,woodcarving,bodydecoration,spearfishingandstringfigures.ThereisalsoaholidayonSeptember9,theday
thatRapNuiwasannexedtoChile,PolicaroToroDay.ElMuseoAntropológicoPadreSebastiánEnglert,thearcheologicalmuseum,hasamajor
collectionofartifacts.
Sources:
Boerma,David(2004),GIAHSProgramRevivingtheManavaiandotherformsoftraditionalagriculturalproductioninEasterIsland(RapaNui)Chile
GeorgeFrisen,PhD.DeptofAnthropologyUniversityofWyominghttp://www.sacredsites.com/index.htmlMieth,AndreasandBork,Hans-Rudolph.
(2005)CatenaJournal63pages244-260History,originandextentofsoilerosiononEasterIsland(RapaNui)McCall,Grant.(2003)AustralianJournal
ofAnthropology,Vol14,issue3RapaNuiJournal,V19,Number1,May2005EasterIslandFoundationhttp://www.islandheritage.org190ElCerrito
PlazaElCerrito,California94530USARamirez,JoseMiguelDentrodelCentrodeEstudiosRapaNuiChileanCulturalHeritageSiteUniversityde
Valparaiso,Chilewww.nuestro.cl/eng/stories/tourism/rapanui3.htmRepublicofChile2002Censushttp://www.gobiernodechile.clInstitutoNacionalde
EstadisticasInformeEconomicoRegional2005QuintaRegiondeValparaiso,Chilehttp://www.ine.clReuveny,Rafael.Decker,Christopher.(2000)
EcologicalEconomics35Pages271-287EasterIsland:historicalanecdoteorwarningforthefuture?Siavelis,Peter,M.(2002)Coalitions,Votersand
PartySystem.TransformationinPostAuthoritarianChileUnitedNationsECLACStatisticalYearbook(2004)EconomicCommissionforLatinAmerica
andtheCaribbeanhttp://www.eclac.cl/estadisticasWorldBankAMonitoringthesocio-economicconditionsofArgentina,Chile,Paraguay,And
Uraguay@GeorginaPizzolitto,December2005ChileanEmbassyinWashingtonDChttp://www.chile-usa.org/poins.htmRapaNuiTourism
http://www.visitrapanui.cl/index.php?newlang=engCIAWorldFactBookhttp://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ci.htmlUNICEFChileata
glancehttp://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/chile_statistics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Island
http://clermont.law.cornell.edu:8080/Chezadri/Chile/chile.htm
UsefulLinks:
IslandStudies.ca
www.upei.ca
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