World Country Guide

General Information

Area
237 sq km (91.5 sq miles).

Population
18,400 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density
77.6 per sq km.

Capital
Avarua (on Rarotonga). Population: 10,337 (1996, the whole island of Rarotonga).

Geography
The Cook Islands are situated 3500km (2200 miles) northeast of New Zealand and 1000km (600 miles) southwest of Tahiti in the South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia. The islands fall into two groups: the scattered Northern Group are all coral atolls while the Southern Group is of volcanic origin. Rarotonga is the largest and highest island with a rugged volcanic interior, its highest peak being Te Manga, at 652m (2140ft). Coral reef surrounds the island and the population lives between reef and hills where rich soil supports both tropical and subtropical vegetation. Most of the island is covered by thick evergreen bush. Most of the larger islands include lagoons surrounded by small areas of fertile land, above which rise volcanic hills. The best beaches found on Aitutaki are also part of the eight-island Southern Group. The Northern Group comprises seven islands, the largest being Penrhyn, Manihiki and Pukapuka. The Cook Islands have been used as the setting for several films, the best known being Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.

Government
Self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. (New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs.) Gained self-governing status in 1965. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Apenera Short since 1991. New Zealand is represented locally by High Commissioner Rob Moore-Jones since 1998. Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Woonton since 2002.

Language
The official languages are English and Cook Islands Maori.

Religion
Mainly Cook Islands Christian Church (58 per cent); also Roman Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists and Assembly of God.

Time
GMT - 10.

Electricity
220 volts DC, 50Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 682. Outgoing international code: 00 (operator assistance may be required).

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network provided by Telecom Cook Islands (website: www.telecom.co.ck). Travellers arriving from New Zealand, Australia and Samoa can arrange roaming with their own network providers.

Fax
Many Cook Island organisations have facilities.

Internet
There are Internet facilities in Avarua at the Telecom Cook Islands office (open 24 hours a day) and at the post office. ISPs include Telecom Cook Islands (website: www.oyster.net.ck).

Telegram
Services are provided by Telecom Cook Islands in Rarotonga; the most convenient way to use them is via one’s hotel.

Post
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600.

Press
The daily Cook Islands News is published in Maori and English. The Cook Islands Herald and Cook Islands Star are also available.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.