Cook Islands

Broadcast media

1 privately-owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs; a satellite program package is available; 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)

Internet country code

.ck

Internet hosts

2,521 (2010) country comparison to the world: 150

Internet users

6,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 204

Telephone system

general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex domestic: 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)

Telephones - main lines in use

6,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208

Telephones - mobile cellular

7,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211

Agriculture - products

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

Current account balance

$26.67 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 57

Debt - external

$141 million (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

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 more than one-quarter 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.

Electricity - consumption

28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

31 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Exchange rates

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)

Exports

$5.222 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 216

Exports - commodities

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$183.2 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

GDP - composition by sector

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,100 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$81.04 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 211

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2002) country comparison to the world: 145

Industries

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Labor force

6,820 (2001) country comparison to the world: 217

Labor force - by occupation

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

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Oil - imports

495 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

13.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 138

Area

total: 236 sq km country comparison to the world: 214 land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

120 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geographic coordinates

21 14 S, 159 46 W

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

typhoons (November to March)

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

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

Constitution

4 August 1965

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

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

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Linda TE PUNI (since 3 June 2010) head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner 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

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

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

High Court

Legal system

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Ariki, or upper house, made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly, or lower house, (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections: last held on 17 November 2010 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 16, Demo 8

National anthem

name: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty) lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

National holiday

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

Political parties and leaders

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) other: various groups lobbying for political change

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (adult)

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.

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,272 females age 16-49: 2,222 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 136 female: 115 (2010 est.)

Military - note

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

Military branches

no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508) 15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

15.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Death rate

7.22 deaths/1,000 population NA country comparison to the world: 127

Education expenditures

0.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 186

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 16.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 116 male: 19.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.47 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.69 years female: 77.38 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA

Median age

total: 31.2 years male: 30.5 years female: 31.9 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander

People - note

2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

Population

11,488 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Population growth rate

-3.256% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 231

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% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.046 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Urbanization

urban population: 74% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

10 (2010) country comparison to the world: 157

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 34 country comparison to the world: 82 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 27, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 5 foreign-owned: 23 (Egypt 1, Germany 1, Latvia 1, Lithuania 2, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 6, NZ 1, Russia 1, Sweden 3, Turkey 4, UK 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Avatiu

Roadways

total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 203 paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003)