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. Residents chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in 1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits are continuing problems.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 120 km

Maritime claims
Continental shelf: 200 meters or edge of continental margin
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

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

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: 4% arable land; 22% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 74% other

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Population: 18,187 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Cook Islander(s; adjective--Cook Islander

Ethnic groups: 81.3% Polynesian (full blood), 7.7% Polynesian and European, 7.7% Polynesian and other, 2.4% European, 0.9% other

Languages: English

Religions: Christian, majority of populace members of Cook Islands Christian Church

Birth rate: 22 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: - 10 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: subject to typhoons from November to March

Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 72 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: NA%

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands

Capital: Avarua

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: 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

National holiday: NA

Constitution: 4 August 1965

Suffrage: universal adult at age NA

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Representative of the UK Sir Tangaroa TANGAROA (since NA; Representative of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK (since NA; Head of Government--Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since NA February 1989; Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note--the unicameral House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers

Judicial branch: High Court

International organization participation: ADB, ESCAP (associate member), IDA, IFC, IMF, SPEC, SPF

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

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

Economy overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the fishing industry.

Agriculture products: export crops--copra, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas; subsistence crops--yams, taro

Industries: fruit processing, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 5,810; agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, and other 4% (1981)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $34.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1988)
Commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
Partners: NZ 80%, Japan

Imports: $38.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)
Commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
Partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6581 (January 1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 4,800 kW capacity; 15 million kWh produced, 830 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 7 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m