Cook Islands

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Cook Islands's Information


Capital	Avarua
Languages	English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3%
Ethnic Groups	Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.)
Religion	Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Mormon 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.)
Government	Self-governing parliamentary democracy (Parliament of the Cook Islands) in free association with New Zealand
Independance	None (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Area	236.00 km²
Land Area	236.00 km²
Population	9,556.00
Location	Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
GDP(PPP)	$244,100,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$12,300.00 (USD)
Export Commodities	Its main exports are copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, and coffee.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, and timber.
Climate	Tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Terrain	Low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Where is Cook Islands?

Located in Oceania, Cook Islands is an island nation. It has a 120.00 km coastline.

The capital and largest city in the Cook Islands is Avarua which is situated in the northern central region of the island of Rarotonga. With a name that means “Two Harbours” in Cook Islands M?ori, Avarua is located on a relatively flat stretch of coastline down from the mountains. The town is small with a total population of 5,445 residents. Avarua is divided into eighteen taperes or subdivisions. As the islands’ commercial center the town is home to an array of shops, bars, and markets, many of which cater to the tourist clientele. Locals sell handmade arts and crafts along with black pearls which this area is especially well known for. While in Avarua, tourists may visit sites such as the 1853 Cook Island Christian Church where services are held in Maori and the Cook Islands Library and Museum. The tropical climate of Avarua makes it a comfortably pleasant place to visit. Average temperatures in January range from 73 to 82F while July sees conditions between 66 and 77F. Along with having a rainy season, Avarua is also at risk of experiencing tropical cyclones during the months of December through till March.

Geography

Cook Islands has a mean elevation of 0 m above sea level.

It has a tropical oceanic climate that is moderated by trade winds. Its terrain consists of low coral atolls in the north, and volcanic, hilly islands in the south.

Population

Cook Islands has a population of 9,556 making it the 223rd largest in the world.

English is the official language. The major ethnic groups are Polynesian and Cook Island Maori. The majority of the population identifies as Christian.

The two official languages of the Cook Islands are English and Cook Islands M?ori. This regional indigenous Polynesian language is part of the Austronesian family of languages. It is made up of ten consonants and five vowels. Two letters; ng and wh, are digraphs with two letters that form one sound. The numerous M?ori dialects spoke in the Cook Islands include Penrhyn, Rakahanga-Manihiki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, Aitutaki, and Mangaian. The total number of people who speak Cook Islands M?ori totals 13,620 while English is spoken by 83.4% of the population. Useful phrases in Cook Islands M?ori include, “Kia Orana” which can be translated to “Hello” or “Welcome” and “Ae” meaning “Yes”. One of the minority languages spoken on the Cook Islands is Pukapukan which is referred to by locals as being “the language of Home”. Despite this, however, it is considered to be in danger of dying out and becoming extinct.

Government

It is self-governing in free association with New Zealand. Its constitution was last ratified in 1965.

The government of the Cook Islands operates as a constitutional monarchy under a representative democracy system. Its official head of state is New Zealand’s’ reigning monarch. Within the local government the monarch is represented by the Queen’s Representative. The head of the Cook Islands government is its Prime Minister. The Parliament meets in a modest building on the island of Rarotonga which is the most populated of all the islands in the region. Members of the legislature are elected by the citizens of the Cook Islands and serve terms of four years. The two dominant parties competing to form the government are the Democratic Party and the Cook Islands Party.

Economy

Factoring in Purchasing Power Parity, Cook Islands's GDP is $244,100,000.00 (USD) with $12,300.00 (USD) per capita. This makes it the 216th largest economy and its citizens the 118th richest in the world. The currency of Cook Islands is the Dollar (NZD).

Its major imports include foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, and timber.

Flag

The Cook Islands is currently represented by an official flag that reflects its history and geographical location. Set against a solid blue background, the flag prominently features the United Kingdom’s Union Jack set in its upper hoist side corner. The opposite side includes a circle of fifteen equal sized white stars. The Union Jack is a clear reference to the important historic relationship between the Cook Islands and the U.K. The blue refers to the islands’ location amid the Pacific Ocean while the stars each represent the islands that make up the region. This official flag was adopted on August 4, 1979. Throughout its long history the Cook Islands has flown many flags. These include the flag of the Kingdom of Rarotonga, the Cook Islands Federation, and even the United Kingdom’s Union Jack design.