The Cook Islands covering an area of 1.8 million square kilometers consists of fifteen small islands in the South Pacific Ocean, therefore total land area is 240 square kilometers. The capital of these islands is Avarua.
Mostly the population resides on the island of Rarotonga and in New Zealand.
Etymology of Cook Islands:-
The Cook Islands got its name after the Captain James Cook who sighted the islands in 1770.
History of Cook Islands:-
In 6th century AD the Cook Islands were established by the Polynesian people. After that in the late sixteenth century the Spanish sailor Alvaro De Mendana gave it the name Saint Bernard. In 1606 when another Spaniard visited the islands of Rakahanga, he gave it the name called Beautiful People.
When the British navigator James Cook visited the islands he called the islands as Hervey Islands which means the Cook Islands. In 1814 when the Europeans came to the islands the war between the sailors and islanders started and as a result of which many people have to lose their lives.
Upto 1821 there were no European on these islands and in 1888 these islands became a British protectorate which ultimately transferred to the New Zealand in 1901 and it remained under New Zealand upto 1965. After that these islands became the self governing territory and Albert Henry was elected as the first Prime Minister.
The treaty was signed between the New Zealand and the United states in 1980 according to which the United States has its right on the Penrhyn islands, Pukapuka, Manhiki and Rakahanga and shares its maritime border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa. In 1985 the Rarotonga treaty was signed in the Cook Islands due to which the nuclear free zone was established in the South Pacific.
These islands were declared as the neutral country under the rule of the Prime Minister Tom Davis in 1986. As New Zealand was not in a position to defend these islands so they signed a treaty of friendship and co-operation with the France. After that the Democratic relations were established with China in 1997 and also in this year the people have lost their lives and the black pearl industries came to an end due to the cyclone hits these islands.
Politics and government in Cook Islands:-
The Constitution of Cook Islands was established in 1981 under which the parliament has 24 seats and the term limit extends from four to five years. The politics of these islands were governed by the Queen’s representative which is the head of the state and the chief minister which is the head of the government. The responsibilities of the internal and external affairs are wholly depending on the multiparty system of these
islands. The executive and the legislative powers are exercised by the government and the parliament of these islands.
The members of the Cook Islands participate in WHO and UNESCO.
Geography of Cook Islands:-
Cook Islands are located to the North east of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean between French Polynesia and Fiji having 21 degree 12 minutes south latitude and 159 degree 46 minutes west longitude. They are divided into two groups:
a) The northern Cook Islands and
b) The Southern Cook Islands.
The northern islands consists of Manhiki, Nassau, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Suvorov, and Tongreva and the southern islands consists of Takutea, Mitiaro, Manuae, Rarotonga, Palmerston island, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Mangaia.
Currency in Cook Islands:-
New Zealand Dollar and Cook Island Dollars are used as a currency in these islands. 1 New Zealand Dollar is equal to 100 cents.
Demographics in Cook Islands:-
About 20,047 people are residing in Cook Islands. English is the official language but the other languages which are spoken by the people are Rarotongan, Tongarevan, and Pukapukan language.
Economy in Cook Islands:-
The economy of the Cook Islands was not very good due to lack of natural resources, and inadequate infrastructure. The major agriculture exports of these islands are copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, coffee, pigs and poultry. The major imports of these islands are textiles, foodstuffs and timber.
The major partners for the exports and the imports are New Zealand, Japan, Australia, US, and Fiji. Tourists, clothing, fishing and handicrafts are some of the major industries of these islands. The unemployment rate in these islands is 13.1%
Culture of Cook Islands:-
As Christians are residing in these islands, therefore Christianity is the religion followed by the people. The national flower of these Cook Islands is Tire Maori and the national sport of these islands is rugby union.
The different small islands are popular for the different arts like Rarotonga is popular for the fisherman gods, Aitu is popular for its wooden seats, Mitiaro, Mauke for slab gods, and Mangaia for food producers found in limestone caves.
The weaving of mats, basket ware and hats are popular in these islands but Rio hats are more popular because they are usually worn by the ladies on Sundays while going to church. Pupu is the other form of the weaving which is used in the decorative work and very much popular in Mangaia.
In 19th century the other form of art called tivaevae are introduced by the wives of the missionaries which are used in making handmade patchwork quilts.
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