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Cook Islands Country Guide
Explore Cook Islands in Oceania
The landscape offers low coral atolls in north with volcanic, hilly islands in south. The average density of population is approximately 89 per km². The notable climate conditions in Cook Islands can be described as tropical oceanic with moderated by trade winds and a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March. Potential threats by nature are typhoons (November to March).
To reach someone in Cook Islands dial +682 prior to a number. There are 6,900 installed telephones. And there are 7,000 registered mobile phones. The cellular networks commonly support frequencies of 900 MHz. Websites registered in this country end with the top level domain ".ck". If you want to bring electric equipment on your trip (e.g. laptop power supply), note the local power outlet of 240V - 50Hz.
About the flag and history of Cook Islands
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.
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 Quick-Facts
| Summary | Continent: Oceania Neighbours: Capital: Avarua |
| Size | 240 square kilometers (km² or sqkm) or 92 square miles (mi² or sqmi) 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Population | 21,388 |
| Currency | Name Dollar, Currency Code:NZD |
| Country Top Level Domain (cTLD) | .ck |
| Telephone Country Prefix | +682 |
| Mobile Phone Connections | 7,000 |
| Landline Phone Connections | 6,900 |
Country Position in World Rankings
Information about single country attributes and how these compare against the rest of the world. The information below is compiled with data from 2013. As such, it may differ a bit to the Information above in the text (which is from 2010).
Geography
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 236 (sq km) | 215 |
People and Society
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,447 | 225 |
| Population growth rate | -3.07 (%) | 232 |
| Birth rate | 14.93 (births/1,000 population) | 133 |
| Death rate | 7.66 (deaths/1,000 population) | 110 |
| Infant mortality rate | 14.81 (deaths/1,000 live births) | 112 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 75.15 (years) | 96 |
| Total fertility rate | 2.31 (children born/woman) | 96 |
| Health expenditures | 4.40 (% of GDP) | 158 |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 63.70 (%) | 3 |
| Education expenditures | 3.20 (% of GDP) | 138 |
Economy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | 183,200,000 | 220 |
| GDP - real growth rate | 0.10 (%) | 179 |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | 9,100 | 125 |
| Labor force | 6,820 | 219 |
| Unemployment rate | 13.10 (%) | 135 |
| Taxes and other revenues | 38.70 (% of GDP) | 48 |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | 1.00 (% of GDP) | 29 |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.20 (%) | 38 |
| Stock of narrow money | 38,990,000 | 186 |
| Stock of broad money | 148,200,000 | 188 |
| Industrial production growth rate | 1.00 (%) | 131 |
| Current account balance | 26,670,000 | 56 |
| Exports | 5,222,000 | 217 |
| Imports | 83,490,000 | 215 |
| Debt - external | 141,000,000 | 188 |
Energy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 31,130,000 (kWh) | 211 |
| Electricity - consumption | 28,950,000 (kWh) | 211 |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 8,090 (kW) | 205 |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 98.90 (% of total installed capacity) | 59 |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 1.10 (% of total installed capacity) | 70 |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 974 (bbl/day) | 206 |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 485 (bbl/day) | 203 |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy | 302,000 (Mt) | 188 |
Communications
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | 7,200 | 205 |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 7,800 | 211 |
| Internet hosts | 3,562 | 150 |
| Internet users | 6,000 | 205 |
Transportation
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 11 | 154 |
| Roadways | 320 (km) | 204 |
| Merchant marine | 35 | 81 |
Data based on CIA facts book 2010 & 2013, wikipedia, national statistical offices and their census releases