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• Full Name:  Cook Islands
• Geographical Area: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
• Terrain and Climate:  tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March, ow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
• Population: 12,271 (July 2008 est.)
• Ethnicity:  CookIsland Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
• Capital: Avarua, Rarotonga
• Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
• Major Languages: English (official), Maori
• Major Religion:  Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
• Life Expectancy: Not Known
• Monetary Unit: NZ dollar (NZD)
• Exchange Controls and Taxation:  None
• Stamp Tax:  None
• Main Exports: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
• Compulsory Education: 
• GDP: $9,100 (2005 est.)
• Annual Growth Rate: Not Known
• Major Industry:  tourism and finance
• Communication:  Broad Spectrum Evaluation: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
• International dialing code:  682
• Internet:  .ck
• Known as “tax-haven” for qualified residents
• Number of Banks:  Estimated around 8
• Head of State:  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand
  head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004);
• Radio:  AM 1, FM 1
• Television: 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)  
• Time Zone: same as Hawaii (UTC-10)
• Airport:  2 with paved runways
• Bank Lists – Partial

·         ANZ Banking Group Cook Islands

·         Bermuda Trust Cook Islands

·         Cook Islands Trust and Banking Corporation

·         Global Network Trust Cook Islands LTD

·         Soutpac Trust LTD

·         The Bank of the Cook Islands

·         The Wall Street Banking Corporation Limited

·         The Westpac Bank of the Cook Islands

 

Cook Islands

• Full Name:  Cook Islands
• Geographical Area: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand, the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
• Terrain and Climate:  tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March, ow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
• Population: 12,271 (July 2008 est.)
• Ethnicity:  CookIsland Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
• Capital: Avarua, Rarotonga
• Government: self-governing parliamentary democracy free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
• Major Languages: English (official), Maori
• Major Religion:  Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
• Life Expectancy: Not Known
• Monetary Unit: NZ dollar (NZD)
• Exchange Controls and Taxation:  None
• Stamp Tax:  None
• Main Exports: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
• Compulsory Education: 
• GDP: $9,100 (2005 est.)
• Annual Growth Rate: Not Known
• Major Industry:  tourism and finance
• Communication:  Broad Spectrum Evaluation: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
• International dialing code:  682
• Internet:  .ck
• Known as “tax-haven” for qualified residents
• Number of Banks:  Estimated around 8
• Head of State:  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand
  head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004);
• Radio:  AM 1, FM 1
• Television: 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)  
• Time Zone: same as Hawaii (UTC-10)
• Airport:  2 with paved runways
• Bank Lists – Partial

·         ANZ Banking Group Cook Islands

·         Bermuda Trust Cook Islands

·         Cook Islands Trust and Banking Corporation

·         Global Network Trust Cook Islands LTD

·         Soutpac Trust LTD

·         The Bank of the Cook Islands

·         The Wall Street Banking Corporation Limited

·         The Westpac Bank of the Cook Islands