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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 |
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 |
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
Geographic coordinates |
21 14 S, 159 46 W |
Map references |
Oceania |
Area |
total: 236.7 sq km land: 236.7 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
0 km |
Coastline |
120 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin |
Climate |
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March |
Terrain |
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m |
Natural resources |
NEGL |
Land use |
arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
NA |
Natural hazards |
typhoons (November to March) |
Environment - current issues |
NA |
Environment - international agreements |
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 |
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) |