Cook Islands

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Border Countries:

Terrain:

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Geography:

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km

Capital:

Avarua

About Cook Islands

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

Language:

English (official), Maori

Religion:

Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)

Phone Service:

Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex

Currency:

NZ dollar (NZD)

Climate:

tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Natural Hazards:

typhoons (November to March)