Cook Islands:

Region: Oceania – Polynesia

Capital: Avarua

Languages: Cook islands Maori, English

Population: 19000

Currency: New Zealand Dollar

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Geography: The Cook Islands are made up of fifteen major islands and are located in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand. The islands are spread over 2.2 million kilometers of ocean and are divided into two distinct groups: the Southern and the Northern Cook Islands. These were formed by volcanic activity, the northern group being the older of the two.

Economy: The economy is dominated by the service sector with tourism the single largest contributor. Tourists mainly hail from New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe. As the Cook Islands are a major offshore tax haven international finance is the second largest contributor to the economy. The government is the largest employer and taxes are moderate maing foreign investment a significant contribution to the economy.

Politics: The politics of the Cook Islands are administered through the representation of the Queen of New Zealand by the Queen’s Representative, also known as a Head of State. The Cooks Islands has a multi-party system with the islands being self-governing in association with New Zealand.  The Islands are fully responsible for both internal and external affairs as New Zealand no longer has any responsibility for external affairs. Since 2005 the Cook Islands have developed diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen different countries.

Health: Free health and medical services are provided to the people through government-owned hospitals or dispensaries on each island. Dental treatment is also provided free for school aged children. In 2001 there were 76 doctors, 272 nurses, 117 midwives and 394 hospital beds per 100,000 persons. Diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cirrhosis of the liver which are more commonly found in developed countries are becoming more widespread.

Education: The Cook Islands has close ties with the educational system of New Zealand with free primary and secondary education. School attendance is compulsory for children aged between five and fifteen. Some tertiary degree courses are provided by the University of the South Pacific with most higher education being provided by a national teachers college and nursing schools. The government provides many overseas scholarships which has resulted in the vast majority of the people being literate.