Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888.

By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand.

The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 21,750 (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.1% (male 2,718/female 2,388) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 4,531/female 4,395) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 489/female 469) (2001 census)

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Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.7 years female: 25.9 years (2001 census)

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Population growth rate: -1.2% between 1996-2001 (2001 census)

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Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (2001 census)

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Death rate: NA

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Sex ratio: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census)

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Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA

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Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (2001 census)

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

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Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander

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Ethnic groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)

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Religions: 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)

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Languages: English (official), Maori

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Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% People - note: 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing about one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $183.2 million (2005 est.)

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GDP (official exchange rate): $183.2 million (2005 est.)

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GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.)

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GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2005 est.)

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GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.1% industry: 9.6% services: 75.3% (2004)

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Labor force: 6,820 (2001)

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Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995)

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Unemployment rate: 13.1% (2005)

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Population below poverty line: NA%

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Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

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Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2005 est.)

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Budget: revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million; including capital expenditures of $5.744 million (FY05/06)

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Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

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Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

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Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002)

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Electricity - production: 28 million kWh (2004)

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Electricity - consumption: 26.04 million kWh (2004 est.)

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Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2004)

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Oil - consumption: 420 bbl/day (2004 est.)

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Oil - exports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - imports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl

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Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Current account balance: $26.67 million (2005)

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Exports: $5.222 million (2005)

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Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

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Exports - partners: Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006)

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Imports: $81.04 million (2005)

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Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

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Imports - partners: NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2006)

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Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.)

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Economic aid - recipient: $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)

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Currency (code): NZ dollar (NZD)

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Exchange rates: NZ dollars per US dollar - 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002)

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Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March