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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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