The World Factbook (1982)/Cook Islands

by the Central Intelligence Agency

COOK ISLANDS

(See reference map X)

LAND

About 240 km²

WATER

Limits of territorial waters: 3 nm

Coastline: about 120 km

PEOPLE

Population: 17,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 0.0%

Nationality: noun—Cook Islanders); adjective—Cook Islander

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

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

GOVERNMENT

Official name: Cook Islands

Type: self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand; Cook Islands Government fully responsible for internal affairs and has right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with Cook Islands Government

Capital: Rarotonga

Branches: New Zealand Governor General appoints Representative to Cook Islands, who represents the Queen and the New Zealand Government; Representative appoints the Prime Minister; Parliament of 22 members, popularly elected; House of Arikis (chiefs), 15 members, appointed by Representative, an advisory body only

Government leader: Prime Minister Dr. Thomas (Tom) DAVIS

Suffrage: universal adult

Elections: every five years, latest in March 1978

Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey Henry; Democratic Party, Dr. Thomas Davis

Voting strength (1978): Democratic Party, 16 seats, Cook Islands Party, 6 seats

ECONOMY

GDP: $15.4 million (1977), $860 per capita (1978)

Agriculture: export crops include copra, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, and bananas, with subsistence crops of yams and taro

Industry: fruit processing

Electric power: 4,000 kW capacity (1981); 13 million kWh produced (1981), 733 kWh per capita

Exports: $3.0 million (1977); copra, fresh and canned fruit

Imports: $16.8 million (1977); foodstuffs, textiles, fuels

Major trade partners: (1970) exports—98% New Zealand, imports—76% New Zealand, 7% Japan

Aid: Australia (1980-83), $2.0 million; Australia and New Zealand (1977), $6.5 million

Government budget: $121 million (1977)

Monetary conversion rate: 1 New Zealand$=US$1.01 (1978/79)

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: none

Highways: 187 km total (1980); 35 km paved, 35 km gravel, 84 km improved earth, 33 km unimproved earth

Inland waterways: none

Ports: 2 minor

Civil air: no major transport aircraft

Airfields: 6 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Telecommunications: 6 AM, no FM, and no TV stations; 7,000 radio receivers, and 1,186 telephones (1.3 per 100 popl.)