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Post by Charity on Apr 10, 2007 12:13:38 GMT -5
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Post by Charity on Apr 10, 2007 12:13:56 GMT -5
see ya at 3:00
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Post by Charity on Apr 10, 2007 12:17:55 GMT -5
A few more resources www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/easter/textindex.htmlRAPANUI Easter Island, a province of Chile, lies between the west coast of South America and Pitcairn Island, its nearest inhabited neighbour. It is situated in approximately 28 deg 10 min S latitude and 109 deg 30 min W longitude. Santiago, the Chilean capital, is 3790 eastward; Pitcairn is about 1600 km westward. The official Spanish name for the island is Isla de Pascua. Other languages translate it similarly so that in French it is known as Ile de Pâques, German Österinsel and so on. It is known also as Rapanui, a Polynesian name dating back to the 1860s. Some early European explorers refered to it as Te Pito o Te Henua (The navel of the world) or Vaihu, both of which are local place names. The island has an area of 166 sq. km and the 1992 census shows a resident population of 2,770 persons. The coastline mostly is rugged, with few sand beaches, with the interior composed of low gently rolling hills, volcanic in origin. Hangaroa, on the west coast, and adjoining Mataveri are the only settlements, although there are plans for a new town along the south coast, as the population increases. The island is administered by a governor appointed by the Chilean Government. Since 1984, the governor has been an islander. The Chilean peso is the official currency, although US dollars circulate legally. The coat of arms, national anthem, flag and most public holidays are also those of Chile. There are two exceptions. Firstly, 9 September, the day Rapanui was annexed, is celebrated as "Policarpo Toro Day", after the Chilean naval captain responsible for the arrangement. More moveable is "Tapati Rapanui" or Rapanui Week, which takes place usually at the end of January or beginning of February and is a cultural and sporting celebration of life on the island. THE PEOPLE The 1992 census shows a resident population of 2,770, an increase of 43.1% (834) of the 1982 figure. Perhaps a third of this figure are temporary residents, being public servants and their families, who are employed in the armed forces and various public institutions. The remainder are native Rapanui and their spouses, some of whom were born on Mainland Chile, called "El Conti", or elsewhere. Several hundred Rapanui live off their island, mainly in other parts of Chile, but also in North America, Europe and notably about one hundred in Tahiti. Since the 1982 census, there has been a 100% increase in the number of houses on the island, from 530 to 1,065, due largely to Chilean government subsidised housing programmes. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, with Rapanui, an Eastern Polynesian tongue related to Cook Islands Maori, being the mode of daily communication for most Rapanui. Owing to extensive contacts and the importance of tourism, some Rapanui and their outsider born employees speak English, some French and German. Citizenship. Rapanui have Chilean citizenship. Most Islanders over the age of 15 years have at least visited the "Conti" and some have lived there for some time attending school and university. There is some sensitivity locally about the distinction between "Chileans" and Rapanui, those with family and background on the island and those whose roots lie elsewhere in Chile. Roman Catholicism is the prevailing religion, although apostolics and Mormons have small congregations. Life is informal on the island and dress casual, except for those in prominent role at state occasions. Houses, clothing and public buildings are mainly in Chilean style, with the occasional floral Tahitian pattern in shirts and dresses. People shake hands upon meeting and departing, with those more familiar with one another kissing (female to female and female to male) or giving a strong hug (the "abrazo"). Food is Chilean in style, although island foods such as crayfish, tuna (and other fish), sweet potato and taro are common. more www2.hawaii.edu/~ogden/piir/pacific/Rapanui.html
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Post by Charity on Apr 13, 2007 17:32:34 GMT -5
Homeschooling in Chile Chile does not have a specific home education law, but the Chilean constitution provides for educational freedom which is construed to allow parents to educate their children at home. more www.hslda.org/hs/international/Chile/default.asp
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