The 1996 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

      @Cook Islands——————

      (free association with New Zealand)

      Map—

      Location: 21 14 S, 159 46 W—Oceania, group of islands in the

       South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New

       Zealand

      Flag——

      Description: 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

      Geography————

      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 area: 240 sq km

       land area: 240 sq km

       comparative area: slightly more than one times the size of

       Washington, DC

      Land boundaries: 0 km

      Coastline: 120 km

      Maritime claims:

       continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

       exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

       territorial sea: 12 nm

      International disputes: none

      Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

      Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in

       south

       lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

       highest point: Te Manga 652 m

      Natural resources: negligible

      Land use:

       arable land: 4%

       permanent crops: 22%

       meadows and pastures: 0%

       forest and woodland: 0%

       other: 74%

      Irrigated land: NA sq km

      Environment:

       current issues: NA

       natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)

       international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,

       Law of the Sea

      People———

      Population: 19,561 (July 1996 est.)

      Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

      Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)

      Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

      Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

      Net migration rate: −6.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

      Sex ratio:

       at birth: NA male(s)/female

       under 15 years: NA male(s)/female

       15–64 years: NA male(s)/female

       65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

       all ages: NA male(s)/female

      Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

      Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.14 years male: 69.2 years female: 73.1 years (1996 est.)

      Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)

      Nationality:

       noun: Cook Islander(s)

       adjective: Cook Islander

      Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and

       European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,

       other 0.9%

      Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands

       Christian Church)

      Languages: English (official), Maori

      Literacy: NA

      Government—————

      Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands

      Data code: CW

      Type of government: self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands

      Capital: Avarua

      Administrative divisions: none

      Independence: 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)

      National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August

      Constitution: 4 August 1965

      Legal system: NA

      Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

      Executive branch:

       chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6

       February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera

       SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since

       NA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the New

       Zealand Government

       head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1

       February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1

       February 1989)

       cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament

      Legislative branch: unicameral

       Parliament: elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA

       1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total)

       Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party

       2

       note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters,

       but has no legislative powers

      Judicial branch: High Court

      Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;

       Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Democratic Alliance Party,

       Norman GEORGE

      International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),

       ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC,

       SPF, UNESCO, WHO

      Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free

       association with New Zealand)

      US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free

       association with New Zealand)

      Flag: 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

      Economy———

      Economic overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners