Description

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Context

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands spread across 2 million square kilometers in the South Pacific Ocean, famous for their natural beauty and Polynesian culture.

About the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands spread across 2 million square kilometers in the South Pacific Ocean.
These islands are geographically located in both the southern and eastern hemispheres of the Earth.
The islands are located in the center of the Polynesian Triangle, approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.
The Cook Islands are located east of Niue, Tonga, and Samoa; northeast of New Zealand; south of Kiribati; and west of French Polynesia.
The islands, named after Captain Cook, who discovered them in 1773, were once self-sufficient and home to tribes of mixed Polynesian ancestry.
The islands cover a total land area of 240 square kilometers.

Island Groups of the Cook Islands

Island Group

Characteristics

Islands Included

Northern Group

- Mostly low-lying coral atolls

- Sparsely populated

- Light vegetation

- White sand beaches

Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Suwarrow

Southern Group

- Larger and higher islands

- Volcanic in origin

- More densely populated

Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, Takutea

Features of the Cook Islands

Island Groups	Northern Group (6 low-lying coral atolls) and Southern Group (9 larger volcanic islands)
Distance Between Groups	The distance between the two groups is enormous
Highest Point	Te Manga – 652 meters on Rarotonga Island
Most Populated Island	Rarotonga
Capital City	Avarua, located on Rarotonga Island
Political Status	Self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand since August 1965
Citizenship	Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship with free access to New Zealand and Australia
System of Government	Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Currency	New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Source: Deccanherald.com

Practice Question:

Q. Consider the following statements about the Cook Islands:

The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand.
Its capital, Avarua, is located on the island of Penrhyn.
Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship and can access Australia freely.
The Cook Islands is part of the Polynesian subregion in the Pacific Ocean.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1, 3, and 4 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, and 3 only

Answer:

Correct Option: A. 1, 3, and 4 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct. The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand since 1965.
Statement 2: Incorrect. The capital Avarua is located on Rarotonga, not Penrhyn.
Statement 3: Correct. Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens and have free access to New Zealand and Australia.
Statement 4: Correct. The Cook Islands is part of the Polynesian subregion in the Pacific Ocean