The islands that form the archipelago of the Cook islands are
located 4500 Km south of Hawaii between Samoa and Tahiti. The Cook islands are formed by
15 islands with a total land area of 240 sqkm scattered over 1800000 sqkm of ocean.
Every different
type of island can be found in the archipelago: the main island is the rugged and
mountainous Rarotonga (67 sqkm) an eroded volcanic island similar to Tahiti. Aitutaki (20
sqkm) it's a low hilly volcanic island surrounded by a barrier reef similar to Bora Bora.
Takutea (1,2 sqkm) and Nassau (1,2 sqkm) are atolls without the central lagoon. Mitiaro
(22 sqkm), Atiu (27 sqkm), Mauke (18 sqkm) and Mangaia (52 sqkm) are uplifted atolls with
a raised corall reef called "makatea" enclosing the hilly remains of the volcano
at the center. Suwarrow (0,4 sqkm), Rakahanga (4,1 sqkm), Manihiki (5,4 sqkm), Puka Puka
(5,1 sqkm), Manuae (6,1 sqkm), Penrhyn (9,8 sqkm) and Palmerston (2 sqkm) are typical
atolls with a lagoon. The Cook Islands are part of Polynesia.
The Cook Islands
are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The
capital is Avarua, on the north side of Rarotonga, the biggest island. Tourism is
the main economical resource.
Population:
21,200 (July 2004 est.)
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)
Languages: English (official), Maori |
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Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds. Typhoons (November to March)
Best period to visit: April to October
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