Hanga Roa

Hanga Roa
Harbour in Hanga Roa

Easter Island, map showing Hanga Roa, Terevaka, Rano Kau, and Mataveri International Airport, as well as the main tourist attractions Orongo, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki and Anakena.
Hanga Roa
Location in the Pacific Ocean
Coordinates: 27°08′00″S 109°25′00″W / 27.13333°S 109.41667°W / -27.13333; -109.41667Coordinates: 27°08′00″S 109°25′00″W / 27.13333°S 109.41667°W / -27.13333; -109.41667
Country  Chile
Region  Valparaíso
Province  Isla de Pascua
Commune  Isla de Pascua
Founded 9 September 1888
Population 3,304
Climate Af

Hanga Roa is the main town, harbour and capital of Easter Island, a province of Chile.[1] It is located in the southern part of the island's west coast, in the lowlands between the extinct volcanoes of Terevaka and Rano Kau. The population of 3,304 (2002 census) comprises 87 percent of the total population of the island.

History

Hanga Roa in the native Rapa Nui language means "wide bay" or "long bay".[2]

For much of the twentieth century, the rest of the island was leased to the Williamson-Balfour Company and closed to the Rapanui; in 1914, the population of Hanga Roa was just 250 and the rest of the island was inhabited by large populations of sheep.

Geography

The island's main avenue, Avenida Atamu Tekena (formerly Avenida Policarpo Toro), is the heart of the town. Many hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and pharmacy are found alongside this road. In 1998, the road was renamed after nineteenth century Rapanui hero Atamu Te Kena; it had previously been named after Captain Policarpo Toro, the Chilean Naval officer who annexed Easter Island to Chile in 1888.[3] The island's museum, and also the Roman Catholic "Holy Cross Church", are located in the center of town. With the advent of the Internet and the expansion of communication services by the Chilean government, many internet cafes and automated teller machines (ATM) have appeared in recent years.

Economy

Tourism

The town has a number of hotels and guesthouses which cater for tourists who come to see the island's World Heritage Sites, in particular the famous moai statues. Hanga Roa and the surrounding area have a number of impressive moai, but there are larger ones elsewhere on the island. The actual hotel capacity is about 600 beds, ranging from hostels to luxury hotels.

Other activities

In addition to tourism, other businesses in Hanga Roa include fishing, farming and administration. Several Chilean government departments including the Chilean Navy maintain a presence on the island.

As well as a small local fishing industry, the harbour has a shipping service to Valparaíso, Chile.

Transport

The island's only airport, Mataveri International Airport, is served by LATAM Airlines, Chile's national carrier, which offers direct flights to Santiago and Papeete. It is currently the only commercial carrier that regularly serves the island.

Sport

Hanga Roa has a multi-use stadium, the Estadio de Hanga Roa, which is the home ground of the CF Rapa Nui, the football team representing the Easter Island.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hanga Roa on mapcarta.com
  2. ↑ Hanga Roa, Imagina
  3. ↑ Steven R. Fischer: The island at the end of the world. Reaktion Books, 2005, page 248. ISBN 1-86189-282-9
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