Cook Islands
Cook Islands — The archipelago and the same state education in the Free Association with New Zealand in the southern part of the Pacific in Polynesia. Borders with the territorial waters of Kiribati — in the north, french polynesia — In the East, Niue, American Samoa, Tokelau — In the West and with neutral Pacific waters — on South. Sushi Square — 236.7 km². The capital is the city of Avarua on Rarotong Island.
The territory includes 15 islands, 3 of which are desert. Of these, 6 islands in the northern group and 9 islands in the southern group. The distance from the most Northern (Tongarev island) to the southern island (Mangaia Island) is about 1400 km.
South Group Islands: Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manua, Mauka, Mitiaro, Palmerston and Takuta — Mainly volcanic origin (up to 652 m tall). The exception is the low-alberty atolls of Manaea and Palmerston and the Low Island Takuta.
The islands of the Northern Group: Manihiki, Nassau, Pupupuk, Rakahanga, Suvorov and Tongarev. With the exception of Nassau all islands — Basic Atollas with Large Lagunas.
The vegetation of the islands of Cook is not much different from the vegetation of other atolls of the Pacific Ocean. Only on the islands of the southern group, floral cover is more diverse, which is largely due to the peculiarities of the geological structure and volcanic origin of these islands.
Ground mammals are predominantly represented by dogs, pigs and cats. On the islands of Rarotong and Mangaia, the Tongan battle fox lives, Polynesian rats and palm thieves (coconut crab) are widespread. Some Islands (Suvorov, Takuta) are places of large bird bazaars, where many species of seabird nest.
Climate on Cook Islands
Climate on Cook Islands — Tropical marine with a pronounced rainy season from November to April and dry season from May to October. The average annual temperature varies from +21 °C to +28 °C and largely depends on El Niño. The average annual precipitation of about 2000 mm, two thirds of which falls in the rainy season, which is also a season of tropical cyclones.
Officially, the season of tropical cyclones begins on November 1 and ends on April 30. Cyclones are mainly formed to the west of the northern group of Cook Islands and move in the southern direction until 15° NS.NS., after which move in the southeast direction. During the flow of El Niño, these cyclones, forming near the northern group, move towards the French Polynesia, and on the islands of the South Group there is a sharp decrease in the amount of precipitation (up to 60%), while on the islands of the Northern Group the amount of precipitation increases sharply (up to 200%). The inverse situation is observed during La Niña.
For almost the entire year, trade winds dominate. Most strongly wind blowing in the winter months, when anticyclone approaches the islands of the southern group. Summer wind is weaker, since subtropical anticyclones become less intense and move in the southern direction.
Population of Cook Islands
Population of Cook Islands —15,200 people (2018). Residents of the islands According to the status of self-governing public education in the Free Association with New Zealand are citizens of New Zealand. Islands Manua, Suvorov and Takuta desert.
Most of the population of Cook Islands — Representatives of the people of Maori Islands Cook, who are close to the indigenous population of French Polynesia and New Zealand.
87.7% of the population is the indigenous people — Maori Islands Cook. Low foreigners share — 6.5%. The rest of the population – people from Maori and foreigners mixed marriages. average life expectancy — 71 year.
The dominant religion on the Islands of Cook is Christianity (Protestants and Catholics), common on the archipelago of missionaries of the London Missionary Society, which for the first time landed on it (namely, on the island of Aitutaki) in 1821. With the distribution of this religion on the Cook Islands, the practice of cannibalism, detectivity, idol worship was discontinued.
Missionaries contributed to the dissemination of literacy among the local population, the basic principles of the cash economy, created the written form of the Cook. Received an impetus to the development of agriculture: there was a transition from a low-product natural economy to plantation.
Nevertheless, missionaries have become and sources of trouble. Together with Europeans on the islands, a number of infectious diseases were listed, against which the locals did not have immunity. As a result, a significant part of the islanders died.
official languages — Cook, English.
Residents of most Cook Islands speak Polynesian languages, first of all, in the Cook (Maori Islands Cook or Cook Maori), which became the official language in 2003. It is represented by two groups of dialects — Rakovang-Manihiki and Rarotonga (or Rarotong-Mangay), which are often considered separate languages.
Residents of Atoll Tongarev (Penrin) speak close language Tongarev (Penrinsky). Punch and Nassau residents speak remotely related first two Punchup languages.
Second state language — English. He is a native language for residents of Atoll Palmerston.
About money
New Zealand Dollar (NZD or NZ $) — Currency Cook Islands, as well as New Zealand, Niue, Tokelau, and Pitcaern. Often called simply «kiwi» (in honor of the National Bird of New Zealand). NZ $ 1 = 100 cents. Since 1999, special thin plastic has been used for the manufacture of banknotes.
In the territory of Cook Islands, a large number of banks are registered, including international. Islands are one of the largest offshore centers of the world.
Banks usually work from Monday to Thursday — from 09.00 to 15.00; on Fridays — from 09.00 to 16.00. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 09.00 to 11.00. Departments at the airport of the capital work, as a rule, during the arrival and departure period of all international flights.
Best exchange currency (as well as use credit cards and travel checks) on the main island — Rarotonga, as it is extremely difficult to do it in smaller islands. Post offices in small islands usually take on the role of banks, exchanging a number of currencies and travel checks, although credit cards in such offices are usually not accepted.
On the island is the most convenient to take with us US dollars and New Zealand.
Communication and communication
Phone Code: 682
Emergency Service (Ambulance, Fire, Police) — 999
Islands codes
Rarotonga — 2, Aitutaki — 31, Palmerston — 37
How to call
To call from Russia to the islands of Cook, you need to dial: 8 — beep — ten — 682 — Island code — Subscriber number.
To make a call from Cook Islands to Russia, you need to dial: 00 — 7 — city code — Subscriber number.
How to get a Cook Islands
Direct air traffic between Russia and Cook Islands.
From Russia to Cook Islands, you need to get transit through Australia, New Zealand, USA or French Polynesia.
Through Australia with Air New Zealand Airlines .
Through New Zealand with Air New Zealand Airlines .
Through the United States with Air New Zealand Airlines (in this case, even transit passengers need to receive an American visa).
Through French Polynesia with Air Tahiti Airlines .
Useful information
Since seasonal changes for weather are small, Cook Islands can be visited almost all year round.
Since the disconnection of electricity in small islands is not uncommon, it is recommended to grab a flashlight with a reserve of batteries.
Interesting Facts
Contrary to the rooting opinion of James Cook on the islands of Cook did not eat. In fact, he was killed in the Hawaiian Islands.
Residents of Atoll Palmerston talk in English with a South-cooled variety of Glostrshir accent.
A fish — One of the national riches of Cook Islands, which plays a very important role in the country’s economy. In the ocean, mainly engaged in the fishery of the tuna, striped Marlin, Wahu and Fish-Moon. The main importers of fisheries are the markets of Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Aquarium fish species are also produced.
The archipelago is mostly visited by New Zealand citizens (more than half of all tourists), Australia, Europe, USA and Canada.
The most popular sports game is rugby. There is even a national team in the country.
