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 Kia
Orana - Welcome to the Cook Islands!
The Cook Islands
are comprised of 15 beautiful islands in the heart of the South
Pacific with just 14,000 residents. These unique and friendly
Polynesians have their own language and government and enjoy
a vigorous and diverse culture with significant differences
between each island. Despite some 70,000 visitors a year to
the capital island Rarotonga the Cooks are largely unspoiled
by tourism.
Rarotonga is reminds you much of Tahiti with it's jagged peaks
and steep valleys surrounded by a flat coastal plain, white
sandy beaches, an azure lagoon, and a reef extending about .5km
(1/4 mile) offshore.
The island of Aitutaki is nearly surrounded by a large, shallow
lagoon of multi-color beauty and abundant sea life. With development
of luxury resorts and a host of modest bungalows, this charming,
atoll-framed outpost has recently become one of the South Pacific's
hottest destinations.
The Cook Islanders have in common with the people of French
Polynesia, which lies some 900km (550 miles) to the east. Like
the Tahitians, they enjoy having a good time, and this lust
for happiness very quickly rubs off on visitors. They share
about 60% of their native language with the Tahitians, and their
lifestyles and religions were similar in the old days. Like
many Tahitians, Cook Islanders have a keen interest in their
eastern Polynesian past, but they are better at explaining the
old ways to today's visitors.
A microcosm of modern Polynesia, the Cooks have enough activities
to satisfy almost anyone, including snorkeling, shopping, sightseeing,
and scuba diving. They have beaches of dazzlingly white sand;
a friendly and fun-loving people who speak English, the best
cultural tours in the South Pacific, a variety of accommodation
and restaurants in all price ranges, an excellent public transportation
system, and some of the region's great bars and dance shows.
Indeed, no other place in the South Pacific packs so much in
so small a space -- and all at relatively reasonable prices,
too.
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; 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.
Cook Islands At a Glance
Language: English (official), Maori
Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital: Avarua
Size: total: 240 sq km - land: 240 sq km - water: 0 sq km -
coastline: 120 km
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds
Electricity:
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Driving:
Rentals:
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