Where are the Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is located in the Australia and Oceania region at latitude -21.2367 and longitude -159.7777 and is part of the Oceania region.

The DMS coordinates for the center of the country are:

  • 21ยฐ 14' 12'' S
  • 159ยฐ 46' 40'' W

You can see the location of Cook Islands on the world map below:

Maritime Borders

The Cook Islands have no land borders; they are scattered across the South Pacific Ocean between French Polynesia and Tonga.

Cook Islands Key Facts

CountryCook Islands
CoordinatesLatitude: -21.2367
Longitude: -159.7777
Country CodesAlpha 2: CK
Alpha 3: COK
Country Flag Emoji๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฐ
Int. Phone Prefix+682
Capital cityAvarua
Continent
Subcontinent		Oceania
Australia and Oceania
Country Area236 sq km
Population 202315,040
World Rank: 216
Median Age37
Life expectancy76.0
Major languagesEnglish, Cook Islands Mฤori (both official)
UTC/GMT TimeNumber of time zones: 1
  • UTC-10:00
Internet TLD.ck
Biggest AirportRarotonga Int'l Airport (RAR)
Average temperature25 ยฐC
77 ยฐF
Administrative DivisionsIsland councils (Rarotonga + outer islands)
Political systemSelf-governing state in free association with New Zealand

Cook Islands Economy Facts

World Bank Income GroupHigh income
World Bank RegionEast Asia & Pacific
CurrencyNew Zealand dollar (NZD)
GDP in 2023$0.62 (billions of USD)
World Rank: 208
GDP per capita in 2023$41,000
World Rank: 39
Major Industries / Economic SectorsTourism, fishing, black pearls, offshore finance
Top 5 Import CountriesNew Zealand, China, Fiji, Australia, United States
Top 5 Export CountriesNew Zealand, Japan, Australia, Thailand

Biggest Cities in Cook Islands

Here are the largest cities in Cook Islands based on data:

City Population
Avarua 5,445
Arorangi 3,000

Map of Cook Islands with the Largest Cities

Detailed map of Cook Islands showing its main towns
A detailed map of Cook Islands.

Other Countries in the Australia and Oceania Region

Cook Islands location on the world map
The location of Cook Islands on the world map.

Geography

The Cook Islands are 15 small islands scattered across nearly two million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean, roughly between Tonga to the west and French Polynesia to the east. The main island, Rarotonga, holds the capital and most of the population.

Though tiny in land area, the country controls a vast ocean territory rich in fisheries.

Are the Cook Islands a country?

The Cook Islands are not a fully independent country but a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. They run their own government and foreign affairs, while Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens and New Zealand assists with defence.

StatusSelf-governing state in free association with New Zealand
Sovereign stateNew Zealand
CapitalAvarua
Population15,040
Area236 kmยฒ
CurrencyNew Zealand dollar (NZD)
Official language(s)English, Cook Islands Mฤori (both official)
ISO 3166 codeCK / COK
Calling code+682
Internet TLD.ck

Climate

The Cook Islands have a warm tropical climate averaging about 25ยฐC (77ยฐF), with a hotter, wetter and cyclone-prone season from November to March.

Economy

The Cook Islands’ high-income economy is overwhelmingly driven by tourism, supplemented by fishing, black-pearl farming and offshore financial services. Most visitors and trade come via New Zealand.

Cook Islands in its region

The Cook Islands lie in the central South Pacific, with French Polynesia to the east and Fiji and Tonga to the west.

Cook Islands shown in its regional setting
Cook Islands in its regional context.

Administrative divisions

The Cook Islands are administered through island councils, with Avarua on Rarotonga serving as the national capital and main town.

Related Locations

Where is New Zealand?
Where is New Zealand? Explore the location of New Zealand.
Where is French Polynesia?
Where is French Polynesia? Explore the location of French Polynesia.
Where is Fiji?
Where is Fiji? Explore the location of Fiji.