NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Cook Islands
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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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. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
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Geographic coordinates:
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21 14 S, 159 46 W |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 240 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 240 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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1.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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120 km |
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; moderated by trade winds |
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Terrain:
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low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m |
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Natural resources:
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NEGL |
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Land use:
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arable land: 17.39%
permanent crops: 13.04% other: 69.57% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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typhoons (November to March) |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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20,811 (July 2002 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: NA%
15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% |
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Population growth rate:
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NA% (2002 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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NA births/1,000 population |
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Death rate:
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NA deaths/1,000 population |
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Sex ratio:
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NA |
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Infant mortality rate:
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NA deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: NA years
male: NA years female: NA years |
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Total fertility rate:
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NA children born/woman |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA% |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander |
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Ethnic groups:
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Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% |
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Religions:
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Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) |
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Languages:
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English (official), Maori |
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Literacy:
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definition: NA
total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% |