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General
Area: 237 sq km (91.5 sq miles).
Population: 16,).
Population Density: 80.6 per sq km.
Capital: Avarua (on Rarotonga). Population: 11,, the whole island of Rarotonga).
Geography: The Cook Islands are situated 3500km (2200 miles) northeast of New Zealand and 1000km (600 miles) southwest of Tahiti in the South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia. The islands fall into two groups: the scattered Northern Group are all coral atolls while the Southern Group is of volcanic origin. Rarotonga is the largest and highest island with a rugged volcanic interior, its highest peak being Te Manga, at 652m (2140ft). Coral reef surrounds the island and the population lives between reef and hills where rich soil supports both tropical and subtropical vegetation. Most of the island is covered by thick evergreen bush. Most of the larger islands include lagoons surrounded by small areas of fertile land above which rise volcanic hills. The best beaches found on Aitutaki are also part of the 8-island Southern Group. The Northern Group comprises seven islands, the largest being Penrhyn, Manihiki and Pukapuka. The Cook Islands have been used as the setting for several films, the best known being Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
Government: Self-governing state in 'free association' with New Zealand. (New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs.) Gained self-governing status in 1965. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Sir Apenera Short since 1991. New Zealand is represented locally by High Commissioner Rob Moore-Jones since 1998. Head of Government: Prime Minister Terepai Moate since 1999.
Language: The official languages are English and Cook Islands Maori.
Religion: Mainly Cook Islands Christian Church, also Roman Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists and Assembly of God.
Time: GMT - 10.
Electricity: 220 volts DC, 50Hz.
Communications: The telecommunications system on the islands is presently being upgraded.
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 682. Outgoing international code: 00 (operator assistance may be required).
Mobile telephone: Analogue network. Analogue handsets can be hired from Telecom Cook Islands (tel: 123). Travellers arriving from New Zealand, Australia and Samoa can arrange roaming with their own network providers.
Fax: Many Cook Island organisations have facilities.
Internet/E-mail: There are cyberbooths in Avarua at the Telecom Center (open 24 hours a day) and at the post office. ISPs include Telecom Cook Islands (web site: http://www.oyster.co.ck).
Telegram: Services are provided by Cook Islands Telecom in Rarotonga; the most convenient way to use them is via one's hotel.
Post: Post office hours: Monday to Friday.
Press: The daily Cook Islands News is published in Maori and English. The New Zealand Herald is also available.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC:
Voice of America:
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