15 Islands  -  Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is located in South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand.  It is half way between Hawaii and NewZea land. There are 15 islands spread across 2.2 million sq km of ocean.  The land area of these islands is only 240 SQ KM. The islands are  divided into two distinct groups –

·         the Southern Cook Islands

·         the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls.

All the 15 islands were formed by volcanic activity.  The Northern cook Islands are considered older and consist of siz island and a reef.

 Northern Cook Islands:

1. Manihiki (Te Fuinga o Niva)

2. Nassau (Te Nuku o Ngalewu )

3. Penrhyn Island (Tongareva or Mangarongaro)

4. Pukapuka (Te Ulu o te Watu)

 5. Rakahanga (Tapuahua)

6. Suwarrow also called Suvorov

7. Tema Reef (submerged)

Southern Cook Islands:

 Nga-pu-Toru ("Three Roots", the eastern islands):

1. Atiu (Enua Manu or Island of Birds)

2. Ma'uke (Akatokamanava)

3. Mitiaro (Nukuroa)

4. Takutea

other islands:

1. Aitutaki (Araura Enua)

2. Mangaia (Auau Enua)

3. Rarotonga (Tumutevarovaro), with the capital, Avarua.

4. Palmerston Island (Pamati) sometimes grouped with the Northern Group.

5. Manuae

6. Winslow Reef (submerged)

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