Geography of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands can be divided into two groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands. The country is located in Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

Map of the Cook Islands

Southern Cook Islands

• Aitutaki
• Atiu
• Mangaia
• Manuae
• Mauke
• Mitiaro
• Palmerston Island
• Rarotonga (capital)
• Takutea

Northern Cook Islands

• Manihiki
• Nassau
• Penrhyn atoll
• Pukapuka
• Rakahanga
• Suwarrow

Statistics

Area

• Total: 236 km² (91 sq mi)
• Land: 236 km²
• Water: 0 km²

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

120 km (75 mi)

Maritime claims

• Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
• Continental shelf: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or to the edge of the continental margin
• Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)

Climate

Tropical; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Terrain

Low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Elevation extremes

• Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
• Highest point: Te Manga 652 m (2,139 ft)

Natural resources

coconuts

Land use

• Arable land: 4.17%
• Permanent crops: 4.17%
• Other: 91.67% (2012 est.)

Natural hazards

Typhoons (November to March)

Environment - international agreements

• Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html.