Which continent is Easter Island in?
Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it is known today, is a Polynesian island positioned in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,510 km (2,180 mi) west of continental Chile. Easter Island is one of the world's most isolated inhabited islands, with its nearest inhabited neighbor (Pitcairn Island), located some 2,075 km (1,289.35 mi) to the west. South Americans helped colonise Easter Island centuries before Europeans reached it.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
13 Comments
Marina da Conceicao
In the first place, an island cannot be 'in a continent', as a continent is a landmass. It can only be associated with an continent. So it should have been 'geographically, to which ancient (submerged) continent do Easter Islands belong'. Bad question with no correct answer!
Angel Palacios Zea
And the explanation?
Ann Grabski Pisani
It is part of Polynesia, New Zealand being the largest in the group. The writer is confused by the fact that Chile owns it.
Joseph A. Robitaille
A great question in my book.
Richard D. Boyle
Every island is attached/assigned/associated to/with one of the continents. Oceania is not one of them. See the comment of Billyboy915 for the role of plate tectonics.
Gary Chadwick
Say it is on isn't quite correct, should have said part of!
Wendy Petty
In, should be on
Denise Currie
I thought it was part of Oceania but as that was not an option I went 50/50 and got Europe along with South America and it certainly isn't part of Europe. Very poorly researched question
billyboy915
Being a part of a continent is determined by the tectonic plate upon which a territory sits, in the same way Greenland sits on the North American plate, making it part of that continent.
David Ching
The continent is actually the continent of Mu which is now below the sea - similarly to Doggerland. Oceania would be more appropriate.
john duckett
Agree, poor questions. An island in an ocean!!
Albeck1994
Sean Kelly, very true
James Vetzel
If it's in Asia, then it's West of Hawaii as Hawaii (The "Big Island") is the Southern end and beginning of the "Midway Island Chain". and The Hawaiian/Midway Chain aren't that far from North/South America. How did you come up with your answer?