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Cook Islands
Cook Islands, island group (2006 pop. 19,569), 90 sq mi (234 sq km), S Pacific, SE of Samoa; a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. It consists of 15 small islands and is comprised of two main groups, the Southern (or Lower) Cook islands (Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Aitutaki, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Manuae and Te-Au-o-tu) and the Northern Cook islands (Nassau, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, and Suwarrow). The islands were formerly called the Hervey Islands. Avarua, on Rarotonga, is the capital and administrative center of the group. The Cook Islanders are Maoris, a Polynesian people, and are largely Christians. English is the official language and Maori is also spoken.
Sections in this article: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
More on Cook Islands from Infoplease:
- Cook Islands - Map of Cook Islands & articles on flags, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations.
- Cook Islands: meaning and definitions - Cook Islands: Definition and Pronunciation
- Cook Islands: Government - Government The Cook Islands are governed under the constitution of 1965. The monarch of Great ...
- Cook Islands: History - History The southern islands were probably occupied by the Polynesians c.1,500 years ago. Spaniards ...
- Cook Islands: Economy - Economy Agriculture employs about one third of the people. Fruits and vegetables are grown, and ...
