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| CIA Background Information |
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. | |
Location: Cook Islands is Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand See Map
Capital: name: Avarua
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): NZ dollar (NZD) ...More
Area: total: 236.7 sq km , land: 236.7 sq km , water: 0 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: Te Manga 652 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 12,271 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 13.1% (2005)
Ethnic Groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Religion: 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)
Languages: English (official), Maori
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