Capital
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name: Avarua
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Country Name
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
former: Harvey Islands
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Dependency Status
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self-governing in 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
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Type of Government
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self-governing parliamentary democracy
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Background
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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.
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Branches
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no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)
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Age Structure
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0-14 years: 26% (male 1,588/female 1,403)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 3,820/female 3,583)
65 years and over: 9.5% (male 536/female 558) (2010 est.)
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Languages
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English (official), Maori
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Population
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11,488 (July 2010 est.)
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Religions
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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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Internet Users
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5,000 (2008)
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Area - Comparative
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1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
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Area
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total: 236 sq km
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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Terrain
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low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
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Climate
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tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
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Natural Hazards
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typhoons (November to March)
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