Easter Island, Pacific Ocean, satellite image. North is at top. Also known as Rapa Nui, this Pacific island is a territory of Chile. It is located in the southern Pacific Ocean in an isolated spot many hundreds of kilometres from the nearest land. It is famous for its statues, built by the Polynesian culture that inhabited the island. Extensive deforestation (seen here) led to the collapse of the island's culture. Clouds are seen drifting across the north of the island.