Information on Cook Islands, Its Geography & History

INTRODUCTION

Discover innumerable nuances of innate and hidden beauty as you get to venture to the land of the Cooks Island. Nestled in the Tonga Island high on the Tropic of Capricorn, the island is scattered to a total land area of about 237 sq. km. The island has a self-governing parliamentary democracy and is well placed in the middle of South Pacific that can be compared to New Zealand in terms of population. The untouched destination of Cooks Island boasts of diverse cultural attractions that attract travelers mainly to its beaches. The island is constituted with 15 islands that is separated into groups like the Southern Cook islands and the Northern Cook islands of coral isle. Each island stimulates your excitement level with its unique and distinctive features where one gets various opportunities to look upon to while traveling here. The capital city of the Cooks Island is Rarotonga where you might capture the magnificent sights of the South Seas.

LOCATION OF COOK ISLANDS

The Cook Islands is nestled in South Pacific Ocean towards the north-eastern part of the New Zealand, lying in the midst of French Polynesia and Fiji .

PHYSICAL MAP OF COOK ISLANDS

Cooks Island is a well-preserved landscape with wide extensive wooded areas engulfed with volcanic islands and gritty mountains that descend to the turquoise waters of white sand coastlines. Divided into two major coral reef groups: One being the southern group of coral isle and the other being the northern group of volcanic islands. Under the northern group: the Penrhyn, Nanihiki, Rahanga, Pukapuka, Suwarrow and Nassau that cover the major area. While within the southern group: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Mauke Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Manuac and Takutea holds about 87 percent of the total land location.

CLIMATE OF COOK ISLANDS

Cooks Island has a tropical climatic condition with hot, scorching and sultry weather that averages out the atmosphere with the frequent downpour that hits along the region from the month of November and March. The place witnesses 2,000 to 3,000 mm of heavy precipitation occasionally hit by the cyclones and high winds. It is usually in the months of April to October that remains considerably dry with about 70ºF to 80ºF temperature.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF COOK ISLANDS

Cooks Island has one of the richest habitats of flora and fauna blessed with indigenous plants and animals.

The place is known for preserving sea life particularly whales in the educative center of Whale Outreach Organization that is placed in Avarua near Rarotonga. One can catch the glimpses of Humpback whales that visit the region from July to October usually in the Rarotonga and Mangaia region.

Catch up with the sight of Rarotongan Flycatcher popularly known as Kakerori bird that is located in the wooded southern areas of Rarotonga. Come across an unusual species, typical of this region known as kopeka nestled within the dense caves of Atiu. Atiu is famous for red-tailed tropicbirds and red-footed boobies along with terns, noddies and frigate birds where one of the finest wildlife sanctuary resides.

The national flower of Cooks Island is the Tiare Maori known as gardenia, which is used by the local people for traditionally greeting guests that visit this place. Hibiscus, which is even called as Kaute, is widely popular in this region. Flamboyant, or flame tree is scattered in abundance throughout the areas.

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