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Compare Cook Islands (2008) - Tonga (2005)

Compare Cook Islands (2008) z Tonga (2005)

 Cook Islands (2008)Tonga (2005)
 Cook IslandsTonga
Administrative divisions none 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
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) (2001 census)
0-14 years: 36.2% (male 20,738/female 19,907)


15-64 years: 59.7% (male 33,226/female 33,853)


65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,031/female 2,667) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Airports 9 (2007) 6 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 236.7 sq km


land: 236.7 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 748 sq km


land: 718 sq km


water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC four times the size of Washington, DC
Background 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. The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
Birth rate 21 births/1,000 population NA (2001 census) 25.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $70.95 million


expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)
revenues: $39.9 million


expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY99/00 est.)
Capital name: Avarua


geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W


time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Nuku'alofa
Climate tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Coastline 120 km 419 km
Constitution 4 August 1965 4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga


conventional short form: Tonga


former: Friendly Islands
Death rate NA 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $141 million (1996 est.) $63.4 million (2001)
Dependency status 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 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) chief of mission: Ambassador Fekitamoeloa 'UTOIKAMANU


chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025


FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024


consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02)
Economy - overview 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. Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.
Electricity - consumption 27.9 million kWh (2005 est.) 23.06 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 30 million kWh (2005) 24.79 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census) Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Exchange rates NZ dollars per US dollar - 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003) pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003), 2.1952 (2002), 2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)


head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since 3 January 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER (since NA January 2001)


cabinet: cabinet consists of 16 members, 12 appointed by the monarch for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly including 2 each from the Nobles and Peoples representatives serving three year terms


note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA
Exports - commodities copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
Exports - partners Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006) Japan 37.1%, China 18.7%, US 17.7%, Taiwan 8.7%, New Zealand 7.4% (2004)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 July - 30 June
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 15.1%


industry: 9.6%


services: 75.3% (2004)
agriculture: 23%


industry: 13%


services: 64% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.1% (2005 est.) 1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 14 S, 159 46 W 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Geography - note the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Highways - total: 680 km


paved: 184 km


unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports 429.3 bbl/day (2004) NA
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2006) New Zealand 37.1%, Fiji 24.3%, Australia 9.1%, China 8.9%, US 6.3% (2004)
Independence none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2002) 8.6% (FY98/99)
Industries fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2005 est.) 10.3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Irrigated land NA NA
Judicial branch High Court Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)
Labor force 6,820 (2001) 33,910 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 29%


industry: 15%


services: 56% (1995)
agriculture 65% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 16.67%


permanent crops: 8.33%


other: 75% (2005)
arable land: 23.61%


permanent crops: 43.06%


other: 33.33% (2001)
Languages English (official), Maori Tongan, English
Legal system based on New Zealand law and English common law based on English law
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (25 seats, 24 seats representing districts of the Cook Islands, 1 seat representing Cook Islanders living overseas; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders


note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers


elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)


elections: last held 21 March 2005 (next to be held in 2008)


election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%; seats - HRDMT 7, independents 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 69.53 years


male: 67.05 years


female: 72.14 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English


total population: 98.9%


male: 98.8%


female: 99% (1996 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Oceania Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 112,129 GRT/126,160 DWT


by type: cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 1, NZ 1, Sweden 9) (2007)
total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT


by type: cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1


foreign-owned: 7 (Cyprus 1, France 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Romania 2, United Kingdom 1) (2005)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request -
Military branches no regular military forces; National Police Department (2007) Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Air Wing)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Nationality noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
noun: Tongan(s)


adjective: Tongan
Natural hazards typhoons (November to March) cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Natural resources NEGL fish, fertile soil
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
People - note 2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017 -
Political parties and leaders Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE] there are no political parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]
Population 21,750 (July 2007 est.) 112,422 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate -1.2% between 1996-2001 (2001 census) 1.98% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors - Nuku'alofa
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)
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) Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Sex ratio 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census) at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage NA years of age; universal (adult) 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT recently granted authority to develop high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television


domestic: fully automatic switched network


international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2004)
Telephones - main lines in use 6,200 (2002) 11,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,500 (2002) 9,000 (2004)
Television broadcast stations 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004) 3 (2004)
Terrain low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Total fertility rate 3.1 children born/woman (2001 census) 3 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 13.1% (2005) 13.3% (1996 est.)
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