Cook Islands

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Cook Islands as the 2007 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 113 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalAvarua, UTC-10

Position21 14 S, 159 46 W

Area236.7 sq km

LocationOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Populationas each edition published it

21,750 people July 2007 est. · 18,187 in 1990

Population growth% a year

-1.2% 2001 census · 1.18% in 1993

Median ageyears

25.3 years 2001 census · 25.3 yrs in 2006

Life expectancyyears at birth

Not in this edition 71.14 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

3.1 children per woman 2001 census · 3.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

Not in this edition 24 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$9,100 2005 est. · $2,200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

0.1% 2005 est. · 5.3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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.

Geography

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

18 fields

Land useshare of 236.7 sq km

arable land 16.67%permanent crops 8.33%other 75% (2005)

Area

236.7sq km

land: 236.7 sq kmwater: 0 sq km1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

120km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Highest point

652m

Te Mangalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Climate

tropical oceanic;
moderated by trade winds;
a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Terrain

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

Natural resources

NEGL

Irrigated land

Natural hazards

typhoons (November to March)

Environment - current issues

Environment - international agreements

party to:: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls;
the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km

People

19 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2001 census)

489

65 and over6.4%

469

4,531

15-6459.5%

4,395

2,718

0-1434.1%

2,388

MaleFemale

Population

21,750

(July 2007 est.)growth rate: -1.2% between 1996-2001 (2001 census)

Ethnic groups(2001 census)

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%part Cook Island Maori 5.8%other 6.5% (2001 census)

Religions(2001 census)

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% (2001 census)

Literacy

95%

definition: NAmale: NA%female: NA%

Median age

total:: 25.3 years
male:: 24.7 years
female:: 25.9 years (2001 census)

Birth rate

21 births/1,000 population (2001 census)

Death rate

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census)

Infant mortality rate

total:: NA
male:: NA
female:: NA

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: NA
male:: NA
female:: NA

Total fertility rate

3.1 children born/woman (2001 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Nationality

noun:: Cook Islander(s)
adjective:: Cook Islander

Languages

English (official), Maori

People - note

2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

Government

Self-governing parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

51.9%

Demo 51.9%CIP 45.5%independent 2.7%last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)

Legislature, 24 seats, elected 26 September 2006one dot, one seat

Demo 15CIP 8independent 1

Percent of vote

Demo 51.9%CIP 45.5%independent 2.7%

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Cook Islands
former:: Harvey Islands

Dependency status

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

Government type

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital

name:: Avarua
geographic coordinates:: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference:: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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, first Monday in August (1965)

Constitution

4 August 1965

Legal system

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal (adult)

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001);
New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since 6 September 2005), representative of New Zealand
head of government:: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)
cabinet:: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
elections:: none;
the monarch is hereditary;
the UK representative is appointed by the monarch;
the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (25 seats, 24 seats representing districts of the Cook Islands, 1 seat representing Cook Islanders living overseas; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders

note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers

elections:: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
election results:: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1

Judicial branch

High Court

Political parties and leaders

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

International organization participation

ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing in free association with 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

Economy

39 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

$183.2million

(2005 est.)official exchange rate: $183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

$9,100

(2005 est.)

Real growth rate

0.1%

(2005 est.)industrial production growth: 1% (2002)

Inflation, consumer prices

2.1%

(2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2004)

agriculture 15.1%industry 9.6%services 75.3% (2004)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

25%

61%

34%

Australia

27%

Japan

Fiji

19%

Exports $5.222 million (2005)Imports $81.04 million (2005)(2006)

Budget

Revenues

$70.95 millionExpenditures

$69.05 million (FY05/06)

Electricity

Electricity production

30 million (2005)Electricity consumption

27.9 million (2005 est.)

Economy - overview

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, employing about one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. 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.

Labor force

6,820 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:: 29%
industry:: 15%
services:: 56% (1995)

Unemployment rate

13.1% (2005)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Agriculture - products

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Industries

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - consumption

420 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Current account balance

$26.67 million (2005)

Exports

$5.222 million (2005)

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$81.04 million (2005)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Economic aid - recipient

$13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)

Debt - external

$141 million (1996 est.)

Currency (code)

NZ dollar (NZD)

Exchange rates

NZ dollars per US dollar - 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

1,500

(2002)

Internet users

1,479

(2007)

Fixed lines

6,200

(2002) · country code .ck

Telephone system

general assessment:: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
domestic:: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone;
within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable
international:: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)