Geography, climate and weather in Easter Island

Geography

Located 3,760 km from Chile and 4,100 km from Tahiti, Easter Island is one of the most isolated lands in the world. The nearest inhabited island, Pitcairn (which has just about fifty people, descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty!) Fleet to almost 2,000 km to the west ...

Long of only 23 km and 12 km wide (173 km ²), Easter Island is in the form of an almost perfect isosceles triangle.

Born from the depths of the ocean, through a hole in the crust, it was formed by three major volcanoes, now extinct:

- The Poike (3 million years);
- Rano Kau (2.5 million);
- And Terevaka (300,000 years), the highest, peaking at 511 m.

They stand at each corner. There are in addition about 70 secondary cones dotting the island.
Having seen news reports and photos are expected to find a dry island, covered with scorched grass. This is partly true, but not only.

Thus, to the west, near Hanga Roa, the "capital" and unique city, the rolling green hills evoke almost moutonnantes Ireland. The south coast, all lava, however, is dry and desolate. There are only a few trees on the island, only clumps of coconut palms and eucalyptus trees planted more recently. Forests have disappeared because of overcrowding at times and burn cultivation.

As for animals, horses, chickens, partridges, hawks, rats and ... lizards, they were all "imported". However, some migratory birds nest on the island (terns, frigates). No natural harbor, except a few loops, or coral reef.

Nevertheless, thanks to the kindness of its inhabitants and tropical gardens of Hanga Roa, Easter Island Polynesian show airs very - those of Polynesia, which has not yet been spoiled by tourism (unlike Tahiti or Hawaii).

Climate

The climate is subtropical, hot and humid (but tempered by the breezes) all year, with little variation in temperature. The maximum varies from 21 ° C in July (austral winter) to 27 ° C in January (austral summer), the minima of 16 ° C in July to 21 ° C in January.

The season's hottest and most enjoyable runs from December to March, the most "cold" from June to September. The combination of rain and winds can then bring out a sweater. May is, in principle, the wettest month (153 mm).

Beware of the sun tempered by the almost constant breeze, one does not realize his ardor at once, and was quick to turn into a lobster!