Cook Islands Flag

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Brief History. Named after Captain Cook who sighted them in 1770, The Cook Islands became a British protectorate at their own request in 1888, then were transferred to New Zealand in 1901. They remained a New Zealand protectorate until 1965, at which point they became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. Today, the Cook Islands are essentially independent, they sign their own treaties. New Zealand has no say whatsoever over the Cook Islands. On June 11, 1980, the United States signed a treaty with New Zealand specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa and also relinquishing its claim to the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka (Danger), Manihiki, and Rakahanga.

picture of Cook Islands flag

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Country Information

Local name: Cook Islands

Capital: Avarua

Population: 21,388

Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy

Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Land size: 240 sq km

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

Typical foods:

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

Information on the People

Official language: English

Other languages spoken: Maori

Religions: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3%

Literacy rate: 95%

Male/Female Ratio:

Life expectancy:

Ethnic groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5%

Internet users: 3,600

Famous people:

  

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