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.

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

typhoons (November to March)

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

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)

English (official), Maori

Protestant 69.6% (Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7.9%, other Protestant 5.8%), Roman Catholic 16.8%, Mormon 3.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)

10,777 (July 2012 est.)

15.22 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

7.61 deaths/1,000 population NA (July 2012 est.)

2.35 children born/woman (2012 est.)

1.1764 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

self-governing in 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

self-governing parliamentary democracy

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

common law similar to New Zealand common law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Ariki, or upper house, made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly, or lower house, (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]

Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

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, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. 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.

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

38.7% of GDP (FY05/06)

$38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$148.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$170.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

$26.67 million (2005)

$5.222 million (2005 est.)

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

$83.49 million (2011 est.)

$80.55 million (2010 est.)

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

$141 million (1996 est.)

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

31.13 million kWh (2009 est.)

28.95 million kWh (2009 est.)

8,090 kW (2009 est.)

98.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

1.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

974 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

484.7 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

302,000 Mt (2010 est.)

1 privately-owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs; a satellite program package is available; 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)

no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request