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(opens in new window) 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 one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
21 14 S, 159 46 W Oceania total: 240
sq km tropical; moderated by trade winds
low coral atolls in north; volcanic,
hilly islands in south lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m arable land:
17.39% NA sq km typhoons (November to March)
the northern Cook Islands are seven
low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands
consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the
populace lives 21,200 (July 2004 est.) Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%,
Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European
2.4%, other 0.9% Christian (majority of populace are
members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) English (official), Maori definition:
NA 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
Avarua 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) based on New Zealand law and English
common law 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 provides the
economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit.
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. 3.2% (2000 est.) 8,000 (1996) agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services
56% 13% (1996) copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes,
beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry fruit processing, tourism, fishing,
clothing, handicrafts copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus
fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand
25%, US 8% (2000) foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber,
capital goods New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%,
Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) New Zealand dollar (NZD) 6,200 (2002) 1,500 (2002) total: 320
km Avarua, Avatiu total: 2
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT 9 (2003 est.) total: 1
total: 8
defense is the responsibility of New
Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
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