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<p>Cook Islands is an island state comprising of 15 islands spreading over 2.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. Cook Islands is located northeast of New Zealand, lying between Tahiti and American Samoa.  The country has a total land mass of 210 square kilometres, with a total population of about 14,974 people.  The latitude and longitude of the island are 21 degrees 14’S, 159 degrees 46’W respectively.</p>
<p><em>Rarotonga</em> is the main island of Cook Islands; it situates the capital <em>Avarua</em> and the International airport.  It is by far the most populated island in the Cooks, with over 10,500 inhabitants.  Rarotonga is also a popular tourist destination comprising of numerous resorts and hotels.</p>
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<p>The official language of Cook Islands is Cook Islands, Maori and English. Certain dialects in the Cook Islands hold similarities with Tahitian, New Zealand Maori and even the Samoan language.</p>
<p>Christianity is the major religion on the island with influence from missionaries in the 19<sup>th</sup> century. Rugby league is the most popular sport. Football, netball and cricket are also played in the Cook Islands.</p>
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<p><strong>HISTORY</strong></p>
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<p>The first settlers of Cook Islands migrated from Tahiti in the 6<sup>th</sup> century.  The first recorded contact to the island was in 1595 by a Spanish sailor, while British navigator Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and 1777. Thus, the name “Cook Islands” is in his honour appearing on a Russian naval chart published in the 1820’s.</p>
<p>In 1888, Cook Islands became a British protectorate, due to fears of French occupancy on the island. The island was annexed from British rule on October 1990, and was included to boundaries of New Zealand in year 1901. The two countries have had a strong foreign relationship ever since.</p>
<p><strong><em>ECONOMY</em></strong></p>
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<p>Cook Islands is isolated from foreign markets, and lacks major natural resources. Geography affects the economy, with limited manufacturing industries.</p>
<p>Tourism is the major economic contributor making up 67.5% of GDP. Foreign aid from New Zealand largely supports the economy.</p>
<p>The island has also been expanding other industries namely, agriculture, mining and fishing.</p>
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<p><strong>CULTURE</strong></p>
<p>Woodcarving is a common art in the Cook Islands, thus different islands in the Cooks have its own style. Rarotonga is known for fisherman gods and staff gods, Aitu for carving wooden seats and Mitiato, Mauke for mace and slab gods. Most of the traditional art form have been either destroyed or lost, and now only interested young have interest.</p>
<p>Other popular art forms in the Cook Islands are weaving, and Tivaevae, the art of handmade island scenery quilts.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Wildlife</em></strong></p>
<p>Tiare Maori or Tiale maoli is the national flower of the Cook Islands. Cook Islands have a large number of Ship rats, which have reduced bird population on the islands.</p>
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