Cook Islands - Geography

Geography

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and American Samoa. There are 15 major islands spread over 2.2 million km² of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls.

The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls, which are sunken volcanoes topped by coral growth. The climate is moderate to tropical.

The 15 islands and two reefs are grouped as follows:

  • Southern Cook Islands:
    • Nga-pu-Toru ("Three Roots", the eastern islands):
      • Atiu (Enua Manu or Island of Birds)
      • Ma'uke (Akatokamanava)
      • Mitiaro (Nukuroa)
      • Takutea
  • Northern Cook Islands:
    • Manihiki (Te Fuinga o Niva)
    • Nassau (Te Nuku o Ngalewu )
    • Penrhyn Island (Tongareva or Mangarongaro)
    • Pukapuka (Te Ulu o te Watu)
    • Rakahanga (Tapuahua)
    • Suwarrow also called Suvorov
    • Tema Reef (submerged)
  • Other islands:
    • Aitutaki (Araura Enua)
    • Mangaia (Auau Enua)
    • Rarotonga (Tumutevarovaro), with the capital, Avarua.
    • Palmerston Island (Pamati) sometimes grouped with the Northern Group.
    • Manuae
    • Winslow Reef (submerged)

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