Norfolk Island (2001) | Cook Islands (2003) | |
Administrative divisions | none (territory of Australia) | none |
Age structure | 0-14 years:
NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% |
0-14 years: NA%
15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.) |
Agriculture - products | Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry | copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry |
Airports | 1 (2000 est.) | 7 (2002) |
Airports - with paved runways | total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002) |
Area | total:
34.6 sq km land: 34.6 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 240 sq km
land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC | 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. | 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. |
Birth rate | NA births/1,000 population | NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Budget | revenues:
$4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92/93) |
revenues: $28 million
expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.) |
Capital | Kingston | Avarua |
Climate | subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation | tropical; moderated by trade winds |
Coastline | 32 km | 120 km |
Constitution | Norfolk Island Act of 1979 | 4 August 1965 |
Country name | conventional long form:
Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands |
Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
Death rate | NA deaths/1,000 population | NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
Debt - external | $NA | $141 million (1996 est.) |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories | 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 (territory of Australia) | none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) | none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economic aid - recipient | $NA | $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) |
Economy - overview | Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. | 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 provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. 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. |
Electricity - consumption | NA kWh | 25.51 million kWh (2001) |
Electricity - exports | - | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - imports | - | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - production | NA kWh | 27.43 million kWh (2001) |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel:
NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% |
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Environment - international agreements | - | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Ethnic groups | descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesians | Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% |
Exchange rates | Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996) | New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) |
Executive branch | chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997) head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Ronald Coane NOBBS (since 23 February 2000) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the Administrator elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003) election results: Ronald Coane NOBBS elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA% |
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003) 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 |
Exports | $1.5 million (f.o.b., FY91/92) | NA (2001) |
Exports - commodities | postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados | copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing |
Exports - partners | Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe | Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000) |
Fiscal year | 1 July - 30 June | 1 April - 31 March |
Flag description | three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band | 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 |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $NA | purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture:
NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
agriculture: 17%
industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.) |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $NA | purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate | NA% | 7.1% (2001 est.) |
Geographic coordinates | 29 02 S, 167 57 E | 21 14 S, 159 46 W |
Geography - note | - | the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives |
Highways | total:
80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001) |
total: 320 km
paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2000) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%:
NA% highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
Imports | $17.9 million (c.i.f., FY91/92) | NA (2001) |
Imports - commodities | NA | foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods |
Imports - partners | Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe | NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) |
Independence | none (territory of Australia) | 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) |
Industrial production growth rate | NA% | 1% (2002) |
Industries | tourism | fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts |
Infant mortality rate | NA deaths/1,000 live births | total: NA%
male: NA% female: NA% |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | NA% | 3.2% (2000 est.) |
International organization participation | none | ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 2 (2000) | 3 (2000) |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA sq km |
Judicial branch | Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions | High Court |
Labor force | 1,395 (1991 est.) | 8,000 (1996) |
Labor force - by occupation | tourism NA%, subsistence agriculture NA% | agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%
note: shortage of skilled labor (1995) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 0% other: 75% (1993 est.) |
arable land: 17.39%
permanent crops: 13.04% other: 69.57% (1998 est.) |
Languages | English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian | English (official), Maori |
Legal system | based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law | based on New Zealand law and English common law |
Legislative branch | unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 |
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers |
Life expectancy at birth | total population:
NA years male: NA years female: NA years |
total population: NA years
male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.) |
Literacy | - | definition: NA
total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA% |
Location | Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia | Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
Map references | Oceania | Oceania |
Maritime claims | exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM |
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
Merchant marine | none (2000 est.) | - |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Australia | defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request |
National holiday | Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856) | Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) |
Nationality | noun:
Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) |
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander |
Natural hazards | typhoons (especially May to July) | typhoons (November to March) |
Natural resources | fish | NEGL |
Net migration rate | NA migrant(s)/1,000 population | - |
Political parties and leaders | none | Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER] |
Political pressure groups and leaders | none | NA |
Population | 1,879 (July 2001 est.) | 21,008 (July 2003 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | NA% |
Population growth rate | -0.71% (2001 est.) | NA% (2003 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade | Avarua, Avatiu |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) | AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) |
Radios | 2,500 (1996) | - |
Railways | 0 km | 0 km |
Religions | Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986) | Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) |
Sex ratio | - | NA (2003 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | NA years of age; universal adult |
Telephone system | general assessment:
adequate domestic: NA international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia) |
general assessment: NA
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: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) |
Telephones - main lines in use | 1,087 (1983) | 5,000 (1997) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 0 (1983) | 0 (1994) |
Television broadcast stations | 1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in Australian programs by satellite) (1998) | 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) |
Terrain | volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains | low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south |
Total fertility rate | NA children born/woman | NA children born/woman (2003 est.) |
Unemployment rate | NA% | 13% (1996) |
Waterways | none | none |