Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) is a botanically barren hunk of rock in the absolute middle of nowhere within the Pacific. If it weren’t for the enormous heads that scattered the island, it would be of no interest to anyone, as it’s too small to be self-sustaining in any meaningful way — which is why it bewilders me that they want independence from Chile. Okay, sure, I can see wanting to preserve your culture away from colonialism, but the islands would die without outside help, and the tourism market just isn’t strong enough to get people out there.