GeographicalArea: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
Terrain and Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March, ow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Population: 12,271 (July 2008 est.)
Ethnicity:CookIsland Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Capital: Avarua, Rarotonga
Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Major Languages: English (official), Maori
Major Religion: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Life Expectancy: Not Known
Monetary Unit: NZ dollar (NZD)
Exchange Controls and Taxation: None
Stamp Tax: None
Main Exports: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Compulsory Education:
GDP: $9,100 (2005 est.)
Annual Growth Rate: Not Known
Major Industry: tourism and finance
Communication: Broad Spectrum Evaluation: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
International dialing code: 682
Internet: .ck
Known as “tax-haven” for qualified residents
Number of Banks: Estimated around 8
Head of State:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004);
GeographicalArea: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
Terrain and Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March, ow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Population: 12,271 (July 2008 est.)
Ethnicity:CookIsland Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Capital: Avarua, Rarotonga
Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Major Languages: English (official), Maori
Major Religion: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Life Expectancy: Not Known
Monetary Unit: NZ dollar (NZD)
Exchange Controls and Taxation: None
Stamp Tax: None
Main Exports: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Compulsory Education:
GDP: $9,100 (2005 est.)
Annual Growth Rate: Not Known
Major Industry: tourism and finance
Communication: Broad Spectrum Evaluation: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
International dialing code: 682
Internet: .ck
Known as “tax-haven” for qualified residents
Number of Banks: Estimated around 8
Head of State:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004);
