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Cook Islands
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The Cook Islands (Cook Islands Maori :
Kuki Airani) are a self-governing parliamentary
democracy in free association with New Zealand.
The 15 small islands in this South Pacific Ocean
have a total land area of 240 km².
Tourism is the country's number one industry,
the leading element of the economy, far ahead of
offshore banking, pearls, marine and fruit
exports. A popular art form on the islands is
tivaivai, often likened to quilting.
Defence is the responsibility of New Zealand, in
consultation with the Cook Islands and at its
request. The Cook Islands has adopted an
increasingly independent foreign policy,
particularly after the adoption of an
isolationist and non-aligned policy by New
Zealand in the 1980s.
History
On June 11, 1980, the USA signed a treaty with
New Zealand specifiying the maritime border
between the Cook Islands and American Samoa and
also relinquishing its claim to the islands of
Penrhyn, Pukapuka (Danger), Manihiki, and
Rakahanga.
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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific
Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand |
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Geographic coordinates:
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21 14
S, 159 46 W
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 240 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 240 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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1.3
times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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120
km |
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the
continental margin
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; moderated by trade winds |
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Terrain:
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low
coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m |
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Nationality:
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noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander |
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Ethnic groups:
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Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and
European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%,
European 2.4%, other 0.9% |
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Religions:
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Christian (majority of populace are members of the
Cook Islands Christian Church) |
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Languages:
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English (official), Maori |
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Currency:
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New
Zealand dollar (NZD) |
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Currency code:
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NZD
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Exchange rates:
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New
Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January
2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999),
1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) |
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Internet country code:
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.ck
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