Located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean. They unite 2 groups of islands: the North (7 islands) and the South (8 islands). Total area - 234 sq. km. Population - 19 thousand (1976), mainly Polynesians. The administrative center is Avarua (Rarotonga island). The official language is English. The islands were discovered in 1773 by the English navigator J. Cook. In 1888-1901 it was a British protectorate. Since 1901, they are under the control of New Zealand. In August 1965, the islands received the status of "self-governing territory associated with New Zealand." The Legislative Assembly and the Cabinet of Ministers were created, headed by the Prime Minister. However, control over the islands remains in the hands of the New Zealand government, which exercises it through its High Commissioner. Political parties: ruling - Democratic Party, opposition - Party of the Cook Islands. The main occupation of the population is the cultivation of the coconut tree and the production of copra, as well as fishing and the extraction of mother-of-pearl shells.
