2000 Edition

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.

Area

land

240 sq km

total

240 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coastline

120 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Te Manga 652 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

9%

forests and woodland

0%

other

78% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

13%

permanent pastures

0%

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (November to March)

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

22.18 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%

Infant mortality rate

24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy at birth

female

73.1 years (2000 est.)

male

69.2 years

total population

71.14 years

Literacy

definition

NA

female

NA%

male

NA%

total population

NA%

Nationality

adjective

Cook Islander

noun

Cook Islander(s)

Net migration rate

-0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

20,407 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.6% (2000 est.)

Religions

Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)

Total fertility rate

3.14 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

Avarua

Constitution

4 August 1965

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Cook Islands

Data code

CW

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, in consultation with the Cook Islands

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand

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 party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA)

note

ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister

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

Government type

self-governing parliamentary democracy

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)

International organization participation

AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

High Court

Legal system

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1

elections

last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)

note

the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers

National holiday

Constitution Day, 4 August (1965)

Political parties and leaders

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Joe WILLIAMS]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP ; New Alliance Party or NAP

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Agriculture - products

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee

Budget

expenditures

$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

revenues

$NA

Currency

1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Debt - external

$141 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand furnishes the greater part

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, 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 made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. Efforts to exploit tourism potential, encourage offshore banking, and expand the mining and fishing industries have been partially successful in stimulating investment and growth.

Electricity - consumption

14 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

15 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (1998)

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9451 (January 2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995)

Exports

$4.2 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $112 million (1998 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

18%

industry

9%

services

73% (1995)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (1998 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$85 million (c.i.f., 1994)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Imports - partners

NZ 49%, Italy, Australia (1993)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fruit processing, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.6% (1994 est.)

Labor force

6,601 (1993)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

NA%

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

14,000 (1997)

Telephone system

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

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

4,180 (1994)

Telephones - mobile cellular

0 (1994)

Television broadcast stations

2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

4,000 (1997)

Airports

7 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

35 km

total

187 km

unpaved

152 km (1980 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 1 (1999 est.)

total

1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWT

Ports and harbors

Avarua, Avatiu

Railways

0 km

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

Disputes - international

none

CORAL SEA ISLANDS