Chatham Island is by far the largest island of the Chatham Islands group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of New Zealand. It is said to be "halfway between the equator and the pole, and right on the International Date Line". The island is called Rekohu ("misty skies") in Moriori, and Wharekauri in Maori.
The island was named after the survey ship HMS Chatham which was the first European ship to locate the island in 1791. It covers an area of 347 square miles (899 km2).
Read more about Chatham Island: Geography
Famous quotes containing the words chatham and/or island:
“If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms—never—never—never!”
—William Pitt, The Elder, Lord Chatham (1708–1778)
“I suggested to them also the great desirability of a general knowledge on the Island of the English language. They are under an English speaking government and are a part of the territory of an English speaking nation.... While I appreciated the desirability of maintaining their grasp on the Spanish language, the beauty of that language and the richness of its literature, that as a practical matter for them it was quite necessary to have a good comprehension of English.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)