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)
“The shifting islands! who would not be willing that his house should be undermined by such a foe! The inhabitant of an island can tell what currents formed the land which he cultivates; and his earth is still being created or destroyed. There before his door, perchance, still empties the stream which brought down the material of his farm ages before, and is still bringing it down or washing it away,—the graceful, gentle robber!”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)