Cook Islands - Definition and Overview

The Cook Islands

Flag of the Cook Islands Coat of Arms of the Cook Islands
Languages	English (official), Maori
Capital	Avarua
Queen	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Jim Marurai
Area  – Total  – % water	Ranked 225th  240 km²  0%
Population  – Total (2003)  – Density	Ranked 219th  21,008  87/km²
Independence  – Date	None. Became self-governing in free association with New Zealand August 4 1965
National anthem	"Te Atua Mou'e" (God is Truth)
Currency	New Zealand dollar (NZD), albeit with different designs on the coins
Time zone	UTC -10
Calling Code	682
Internet TLD	.ck
Cw-map.gif
Map of The Cook Islands
A Christian Church in Rarotonga

The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The 15 small islands in this South Pacific Ocean archipelago have a total land area of only 240 square km. The capital is Avarua. A popular art form on the islands is tivaevae, often likened to quilting.

History

• Main Article see History of the Cook Islands

Geography

• Main Article see Geography of the Cook Islands

Southern Cook Islands

• Aitutaki
• Atiu
• Mangaia
• Manuae
• Mauke
• Mitiaro
• Palmerston Island
• Rarotonga (capital)
• Takutea

Northern Cook Islands

• Manihiki
• Nassau
• Penrhyn Island also known as Tongareva or Mangarongaro
• Pukapuka
• Rakahanga
• Suwarrow also called Suvorov

Demographics

• Main Article see Demographics of the Cook Islands

Politics

• Main Article see Politics of the Cook Islands

Economy

• Main Article see Economy of the Cook Islands

Culture

Communications

• Main Article see Communications in the Cook Islands

Transportation

• Main Article see Transportation in the Cook Islands

Military

• Military: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request.

External links

• Cook Islands Government (http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/)
• Cook Islands, the best kept secret in the Pacific Ocean (http://www.ck)
• Cook Islands Government (summary) (http://www.ck/govt.htm)
• Finding Cook Islands (http://www.southpacific.org/text/finding_cooks.html)
• Map of the Cook Islands (http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/cook_islands/index.html)
• KiaOrana.com — Cook Islands information with images and maps (http://www.kiaorana.com)
• Jane's Cook Islands Home Page (http://www.janeresture.com/cookislands/index.htm)
• World Factbook entry on The Cook Islands (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cw.html)