Cook Islands
From World travel guide
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Avarua |
| Government | self-governing parliamentary democracy |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| Area | total: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 240 sq km |
| Population | 20,811 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | English (official), Maori |
| Religion | Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) |
The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand, located in Polynesia, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. It is an archipelago that consists of 15 islands spread out over 2.2 million sq. km of ocean.
The Cook Islands are located in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, between French Polynesia (Society Islands) to the east and Tonga to the west.
- http://www.cook-islands.com/ -- Official Web site of Cook Islands Tourism
Contents |
Regions
Map of Cook Islands
- Southern Cook Islands
- Northern Cook Islands
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
- Geographic coordinates
- 21 14 S, 159 46 W
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. In effect, New Zealand handles defense, foreign affairs (including passports), and currency; otherwise the islands are self-governing. This includes immigration, which is strictly controlled--even for New Zealanders. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
- Coastline
- 120 km
Climate
tropical; moderated by trade winds
- Natural hazards
- Tropical cyclones (Southern hemisphere equivalent of hurricanes or typhoons) (November to March - During the Southern Hemishere Summer)
Terrain
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
- Elevation extremes
- lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m - Geography - note
- the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
People
- Population
- 20,811 (July 2002 est.)
- Nationality
- noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander - Ethnic groups
- Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
- Religions
- Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Holidays
- Independence
- 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)
- National holiday
- Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
- Constitution
- 4 August 1965
Get in
On arrival
You must have a reservation for accommodations pre-arranged, or risk being sent back on the next flight out. Though immigration and customs may be a little less strict about this than in the past and let you reserve at the airport by phone, if nothing is available you will be sent back. Camping on the beach is not allowed.
By plane
Air service is available from Auckland & Christchurch (New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti and Los Angeles (via Tahiti). The only international airlines at present are Air New Zealand and twice-weekly Pacific Blue. Air New Zealand has code share arraignments with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga features as a stopover with several Round The World fares.
By boat
Rarotonga and Aitutaki are regular stops for cruises operating from Tahiti. Other cruise companies also stop by occassionaly.
Get around
By plane
Domestic inter-island service is provided by Air Rarotonga [1]. Although you can book flights through Air Zealand, it is usually cheaper to do so directly with Air Rarotonga. This has become much easier in the past few years, now that they offer online booking through their web site http://www.airraro.com. Unless you're a member of Air New Zealand's "Airpoints Dollars" program, you won't receive any airline miles for Air Rarotonga -- and then only if you book with Air New Zealand directly. Star Alliance mileage (outside of Air New Zealand) is not available.
- Airports
- 9 (2005)
- Airports - with paved runways
- total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) - Airports - with unpaved runways
- total: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)
By boat
The Intrepid travleller can visit all inhabited islands by Interisland Freighters. Due to lack of accommodation and political issues one needs to depart with the same boat.
The uninhabited islands of Takutea and Suwarrow and also Palmerston can be visited with a research vessel stationed at Rarotonga
By car
- Highways
- total: 320 km (1992)
By bus
Talk
- Languages
- English (official), Cook Islands Maori
Buy
Economy
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)
- Currency code
- NZD
- Industries
- fruit processing, tourism, fishing
- Exports - non edible commodities
- copra, pearls and pearl shells; clothing
- Economy - overview
- Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Costs
Eat
- Agriculture - products
- citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry, (Exports): papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish;
Drink
Sleep
Learn
Work
Stay safe
- Legal system
- based on New Zealand law and English common law
Stay healthy
Respect
Contact
- Telephones - main lines in use
- 5,000 (1997)
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- 3000-5000 (2005)
- Telephone system
- general assessment: NA
domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) - Radio broadcast stations
- AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
- Radios
- 14,000 (1997)
- Television broadcast stations
- 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
- Televisions
- 4,000 (1997)
- Internet country code
- .ck
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- 1 (2005)
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