Geography
The Cook Islands (once called the Hervey Islands) are located in the geographical region of Oceania. The islands lie between Hawaii and New Zealand in the South Pacific.
History
Named in honor of Capt. James Cook, the Cook Islands were first inhabited by Polynesian people who migrated from Tahiti. Since the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s, the islands have been explored by other nations, including England and Russia.
Size
Comprised of 15 islands, the archipelago makes up the Cook Islands. Spread out over 850,000 square miles, the islands contain only about 92 miles of land. According to the 2006 census, less than 20,000 people inhabit the islands.
Misconceptions
The Cook Islands are often mistakenly believed to be ruled by New Zealand. The nation is self-governing but depends on the larger nation for military and foreign relations.
Interesting Fact
The bird population of the Cook Islands has been devastated by the infestation of omnivorous Polynesian rats. It is believed that the rats are responsible for the deforestation of Easter Island.
Article Written By Ayisatu J. Taylor
Ayisatu J. Taylor is a graduate of Smith College and has been writing for 5 years. She lives in the Washington Metropolitan area and plans to attend graduate school to study public health. Ms. Taylor is an avid traveler with a passion for good music, good movies, good food, and good friends.
