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Cook Islands:
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Other pages in this profile of the Cook Islands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition 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 |
Definition Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 21 14 S, 159 46 W |
Map references |
Definition Oceania |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 236.7 sq km land: 236.7 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
Definition 0 km |
Coastline |
Definition 120 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin |
Climate |
Definition tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March |
Terrain |
Definition low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m |
Natural resources |
Definition NEGL |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition NA |
Natural hazards |
Definition typhoons (November to March) |
Environment - current issues |
Definition NA |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
Definition 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |