Cook Islands - Definition

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)