Traveling Luck for Cook Islands. Cook Islands, Oceania

Cook Islands is located in Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

Land in Cook Islands is low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south.

Cook Islander land covers an area of 240 square kilometers which is 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Cook Islander flag Cook Islander national flag (Flag of Cook Islands)

As for the Cook Islander climate; tropical; moderated by trade winds.

Cook Islander(s) speak English (official), Maori.

Places of note in Cook Islands

Cook Islander Map Cook Islander map

Regions of Cook Islands

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.

Country Profile for Cook Islands

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.

Cook Islander natural resources include NEGL

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

Cook Islander religion is 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).

Natural hazards in Cook Islands include typhoons (November to March).