10 Geographic Facts About Easter Island

10 Geographic Facts About Easter Island Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, is a small island located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is considered a special territory of Chile. Easter Island is most famous for its large moai statues that were carved by native peoples between 1250 and 1500. The island is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and much of the islands land belongs to the Rapa Nui National Park. Easter Island has been in the news because many scientists and writers have used it as a metaphor for our planet. Easter Islands native population is believed to have overused its natural resources and collapsed. Some scientists and writers claim that global climate change and resource exploitation may lead to the planet collapsing as did the population on Easter Island. These claims, however, are highly disputed. Interesting Facts The following is a list of the 10 most important geographic facts to know about Easter Island: Although scientists do not know for sure, many claim that human habitation of Easter Island began around 700-1100 C.E. Almost immediately upon its initial settlement, the population of Easter Island began to grow and the islands inhabitants (Rapanui) began to build houses and moai statues. The moai are believed to represent status symbols of the different Easter Island tribes.Because of Easter Islands small size of only 63 square miles (164 sq km), it quickly became overpopulated and its resources were rapidly depleted. When Europeans arrived on Easter Island between the late 1700s and early 1800s, it was reported that the moai were knocked down and the island seemed to have been a recent war site.Constant warfare between tribes, a lack of supplies and resources, disease, invasive species and the opening of the island to foreign slave trade eventually led to Easter Islands collapse by the 1860s.In 1888, Easter Island was annexed by Chile. Use of the island by Chile varied, but during the 1900s it was a sheep farm and was managed by the Chilean Navy. In 1966, the entire island was opened to the public and the remaining Rapanui people became citizens of Chile. As of 2009, Easter Island had a population of 4,781. The official languages of the island are Spanish and Rapa Nui, while the main ethnic groups are Rapanui, European and Amerindian.Because of its archaeological remains and its ability to help scientists study early human societies, Easter Island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.Although it is still inhabited by humans, Easter Island is one of the worlds most isolated islands. It is approximately 2,180 miles (3,510 km) west of Chile. Easter Island is also relatively small and has a maximum altitude of only 1,663 feet (507 meters). Easter Island also has no permanent source of freshwater.Easter Islands climate is considered subtropical maritime. It has mild winters and year-round cool temperatures and abundant precipitation. The lowest average July temperature on Easter Island is around 64 F (18 C) while its highest temperatures are in February and average about 82 F (28 C).Like many Pacific Islands, the physical landscape of Easter Island is dominated by volcanic topography and it was formed geologically by three extinct volcanoes. Easter Island is considered a distinct eco-region by ecologists. At the time of its initial colonization, the island is believed to have been dominated by large broadleaf forests and palm. Today, however, Easter Island has very few trees and is mainly covered with grasses and shrubs. Sources Diamond, Jared. 2005. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Penguin Books: New York, New York.Easter Island. (March 13, 2010). Wikipedia.Rapa Nui National Park. (March 14, 2010). UNESCO World Heritage.

Halloween Traditions in France and French Vocabulary

Halloween Traditions in France and French Vocabulary Halloween is a relatively new thing in France. Some people will tell you that its a Celtic celebration, which has been celebrated in parts of France (Brittany) for centuries. OK, it may have been something important for some people, but nothing that reached the general public of France. All Saint Day: La Toussaint in France Traditionally in France, we celebrate the Catholic holiday of la Toussaint, which is on November 1. Its a rather sad celebration when family mourn their dead  and go to the cemetery to clean up the tombs, bring flowers and pray. There is often a family meal, but no special tradition about the food. We bring des chrysanthà ¨mes (a type of flower usually called mums, from the Latin chrysanthemum) because they still bloom at this time of the year. Celebrating Halloween is now "in" in France However, things are changing. If I remember well, it started in the early 90s. Celebrating Halloween became fashionable among young adults, especially among people who liked to travel. I remember going to a Halloween party at a very trendy friend when I was 20, and I fell I was in the it crowd!!   Nowadays, shops and trademarks use the images of Halloween, pumpkins, skeletons etc†¦ in their ads, so now, French people know it well, and some even start to celebrate Halloween with their kids. Why not? The French traditionally love to get in costumes, and its quite common to have a costumed New Year party or a costumed birthday, even more so among kids. French Teacher Love Halloween Additionally, Halloween is a great opportunity to teach some English words to kids. French kids start to learn English in elementary school. Its merely an introduction to the English language (dont expect  a fluent conversation out of a 10-year-old), but since kids would do pretty much anything for candies, elementary school teachers jump at the opportunity and often organize a costume  parade, and some trick or treating. Note, however, it never gets to tricks!! Most French homes will not have candies, and would be furious if their house got toilet papered!! French Halloween Vocabulary La Toussaint – All Saint DayLe trente et un octobre – 31st of OctoberHalloween – halloween (say it the French way â€Å"a lo ween†)Friandises ou bà ªtises/ Des bonbons ou un sort – treat or trickSe dà ©guiser  (en) – to wear a costume, to dress-up asJe me dà ©guise en sorcià ¨re – I am wearing a witch costume, I am dressing-up as a witchSculpter une citrouille – to carve a pumpkinFrapper la porte – to knock on the doorSonner la sonnette – to ring the bellFaire peur quelqu’un – to scare someoneAvoir peur  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ to be scaredDonner des bonbons – to give candiesUn dà ©guisement, un costume – a costumeUn fantà ´me – a ghostUn vampire – a vampireUne sorcià ¨re – a witchUne princesse – a princessUn squelette – a skeletonUn à ©pouvantail – a scarecrowUn diable – a devilUne momie – a mummyUn monstre – a monsterUne ch auve-souris – a batUne araignà ©e – a spiderUne toile d’araignà ©e – a spider webUn chat noir – a black catUn potiron, une citrouille – a pumpkinUne bougie – a candleDes bonbons – candies