The South Pacific Cook Islands with Polynesian Traditions

The tourist haven of Cook Islands were first discovered in 1773 by Captain Cook who named it Hervey Islands before the present name stuck in the 1820s. The Cook Islands is self-governed but in free association with New Zealand, which looks after its defence. The capital of Cook Islands is the Rarotonga Island, apart from this there are 14 other Islands, the prominent being the Aitutaki Island. The Cook Islands located in the South Pacific Ocean are well known for their Black Pearl export. The Cook Islanders trace their descent from a mixed Polynesian heritage including the Maori.

Cook Island Facts and Figures:

· National Name: Kuki Airani (Maori)
· Capital: Avarua (Rarotonga Island)
· Total area: 240 sq. km.
· Population: 19,569 (2006)
· Currency: New Zealand Dollar
· Languages: English (Official), Cook Island Maori
· Ethnicity/ Races: 87.7% Maori, 5.8% part Maori, 6.5% other
· Religion: Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
· GDP (Per Capita): $9,100 (2005 est.)
· Life Expectancy: Male: 70 Yrs, Female: 75 Yrs (2004)
· Literacy: 95%

Cook Islands Geoghraphy:
Cook Islands enjoys a comfortable location in the South Pacific between American Samoa to the West and French Polynesia in the East. Cook Islands are divided into the northern and the southern group. The southern Cook Islands numbering nine are the major population centers and also have the most volcanoes. The southern group is sparsely populated and comprises six true atolls. Rarotonga and Aitutaki are the main islands that also have sparkling white beaches for the travelers.

Administration and Economy of Cook Islands:
Except for Defence the Parliamentary government of Cook Islands looks after all other matters. Apart from this there are hereditary councils known as the House of Ariki that govern the local traditions and customs of the various islands. A mayor heads each of these councils such as the Rarotonga council.

Black Pearls are the chief Cook Islands export apart from fishing, offshore banking and agriculture. However tourism is the main economic driver of the Cook Islands and every year thousands of tourists visit Cook Islands to experience the breath-taking beauty of islands like Aitutaki and Rarotonga.

Cook Islands Culture and Cuisine:
Owing to large tourist activity and New Zealand cultural influence, tradition has somewhat faded away in the southern Cook Islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga whereas the relatively isolated northern islands have retained their traditional past. The Cook Islanders are largely of Maori Polynesian descent and live in big traditional joint families. Due to New Zealand’s cultural influence most of the Cook Islanders are Christian and regularly attend the Sunday mass. The Cook

Islanders love their music and Imene tuki is a popular Cook Island folk music.
Cook Island cuisine features some mouth-watering dishes. The breakfast mostly includes papaya and coconut in which lemon garnishing is a must. The Ungako or the shellfish is a local delicacy that is eaten raw or cooked. Other seafood include white crabs that are served with grated cheese and coconut garnishing

Cook Islands Tourist Attractions:
Cook Islands offer the perfect vacation spots that include beautiful beach villas in Aitutaki apart from holiday resorts like Sina’s Garden and the Maina Sunset motel to enjoy the scenic sunsets. The Muri beach in Rarotonga is a must visit for all the sunbathers. The Rarotonga Island also offers many other exotic sightseeing places that include the following:

· The Cook Islands Library and Museum
· The National Museum
· Para O Tane Palace
· Parliament of the Cook Islands
· Black Rocks

View Cook Islands News