Cook Islands

Cook Islands, self-governing island group in free association with New Zealand, comprising two groups of widely scattered islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The Southern, or Lower, Group includes Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuae, and Takutea. Most of these islands are volcanic in origin, mountainous, and relatively fertile; several are coral islands. The Northern Group is composed of low-lying coral islands and includes Pukapuka, Penrhyn (also called Tongareva), Manihiki, Palmerston, Rakahanga, Suwarrow, and Nassau. The port of Avarua on the island of Rarotonga is the administration center of the Cook Islands. Tourism is the leading industry in the islands. Coconuts, citrus fruits, copra, pineapple, clothing, mother-of-pearl shells, and handicrafts are among the principal exports. Rarotonga has an international airport. The inhabitants of the Cook Islands are Polynesians, culturally and linguistically related to the Maori of New Zealand. Christianity is practiced by 70 percent of the population. Education is provided by government schools, and health care is free. Spanish and Portuguese navigators reached the islands in the late 1500s and early 1600s. In 1773 the islands were sighted by the British explorer James Cook, who named them the Hervey Islands. In 1823 the English missionary John Williams, a representative of the London Missionary Society, introduced Christianity to islanders on Rarotonga. In 1888 the Cook Islands were made a protectorate of Great Britain, and in 1901 they were annexed to New Zealand. Since 1965 the islands have had full internal self-government; matters of defense and external affairs remain the responsibility of the New Zealand government. Area, 237 sq km (91 sq mi); population (1991) 18,617.