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 ... would rather be in dependance on Great Britain, properly limited, than on any nation upon earth, or than on no nation. But I am one of those too who rather than submit to the right of legislating for us assumed by the British parliament, and which late experience has shewn they will so cruelly exercise, would lend my hand to sink the whole island in the ocean.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)