Hanga Roa, the main town and only urban center of Easter Island, lies on the southwest coast and houses most of the island’s population of about 7,000. Serving as the cultural and economic hub, it features key sites like the Church of the Holy Cross, the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, and nearby ahu platforms such as Ahu Tahai. With its small harbor, airport, and amenities like shops and restaurants, Hanga Roa acts as the gateway for exploring the island’s archaeological wonders and Rapanui heritage.