{{Infobox Country
|native_name              = Cook Islands<br/>''Kūki 'Āirani''
|common_name              = Cook Islands
|image_flag               = Flag of the Cook Islands.svg
|image_coat               = Cook islands coa.png
|image_map                = LocationCookIslands.png
|national_motto           = 
|national_anthem          = ''Te Atua Mou E''<small><br/>''God is Truth''</small>
|capital                  = Avarua
|demonym                  = Cook Islander
|latd=21 |latm=12 |latNS=S |longd=159 |longm=46 |longEW=W
|largest_city             = capital
|official_languages       = English<br/>Cook Islands Māori
|government_type          = 
|leader_title1            = Head of State
|leader_name1             = Queen Elizabeth II
|leader_title2            = Queen's Representative
|leader_name2             = <br/>Sir Frederick Goodwin
|leader_title3            = Prime Minister
|leader_name3             = Jim Marurai
|sovereignty_type         = Associated state
|established_event1       = Self-government in free association with New Zealand
|established_date1        = 
4 August 1965
|area_rank                = 209th
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_km2                     = 236
|area_sq_mi                  = 91
|percent_water            = 
|population_estimate      = 18,700 <!--http://www.stats.gov.ck/Social/social_stats.htm-->
|population_estimate_year = Mar 2006
|population_estimate_rank = 218th (2005)
|population_census        = 18,027
|population_census_year   = 2001
|population_density_km2       = 76
|population_density_sq_mi    = 197
|population_density_rank  = 117th
|GDP_PPP_year             = 2005
|GDP_PPP                  = $183.2 million <!--cia.gov-->
|GDP_PPP_rank             = <small>not ranked</small>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita       = $9,100
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = <small>not ranked</small>
|HDI_year                 = 
|HDI                      = 
|HDI_rank                 = 
|HDI_category             = 
|currency                 = New Zealand dollar<br/>(Cook Islands dollar also used)
|currency_code            = NZD
|time_zone                = 
|utc_offset               = -10
|time_zone_DST            = 
|utc_offset_DST           = 
|cctld                    = .ck
|calling_code             = 682
|footnotes = 
}}

The '''Cook Islands'''  (Cook Islands Māori: ''Kūki 'Āirani'') are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with South Pacific Ocean country have a total land area of 240 sq&nbsp;mi), but the Cook Islands sq&nbsp;mi) of ocean.<ref>[http://www.sopac.org/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=Cook+Islands A View from the Cook Islands] SOPAC</ref>

The main population centres are on the island of Rarotonga (''c.''10,000), where there is an international airport.  There is also a much larger population of Cook Islanders in New Zealand, particularly the North Island; in the 2006 census, 58,008 self-identified as being of ethnic Cook Island Māori descent.<ref></ref>

With over 90,000 visitors travelling to the islands in 2006, economy, far ahead of offshore banking, pearls, marine and fruit exports.

Defence is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request. In recent times, the Cook Islands have adopted an increasingly independent foreign policy.

== Politics ==

The politics of the Cook Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Queen of New Zealand, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is Head of State and the Chief Minister is the head of government. There is a pluriform multi-party system and the islands are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and fully responsible for both internal and external affairs. New Zealand no longer has any responsibility for external affairs. As of 2005, it has diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen other countries.&nbsp;Executive power is exercised by the government.&nbsp;Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands are not United Nations full members but participate in WHO and UNESCO, and are an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific  (UNESCAP).

The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

== Historical dates ==

'''1595''' — Spaniard Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira is the first European to sight the islands.

'''1606''' — Spaniard Pedro Fernández de Quirós made the first recorded European landing in the islands when he set foot on Rakahanga.

'''1773''' — Captain Krusenstern.

'''1821''' — English and Tahitian missionaries arrive, become the first non-native settlers.

'''1858''' — The Cook Islands become united as a state, the Kingdom of Rarotonga.

'''1888''' — Cook Islands are proclaimed a British protectorate and a single federal parliament is established.

'''1901''' — The Cook Islands are annexed to New Zealand.

'''1924''' — The All Blacks ''Invincibles'' stop in Rarotonga on their way to the United Kingdom and play a friendly match against a scratch Rarotongan team.

'''1946''' — Legislative Council is established. For the first time since 1912, the territory has direct representation.

'''1965''' — The Cook Islands become a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. Albert Henry, leader of the Cook Islands Party, is elected as the territory's first prime minister. 

'''1974''' — Albert Henry is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

'''1979''' — Sir Tom Davis becomes Premier.

'''1981''' — Constitution is amended. Parliament grows from 22 to 24 seats and the parliamentary term is extended from four to five years. Tom Davis is knighted.

'''1985''' — Rarotonga Treaty is open for signing in the Cook Islands creating a nuclear free zone in the South Pacific.

'''1986''' — In January 1986, following the rift between New Zealand and the USA in respect of the ANZUS security arrangements Prime Minister Tom Davis declared the Cook Islands a neutral country, because he considered that New Zealand (which has control over the islands' defence and foreign policy) was no longer in a position to defend the islands. The proclamation of neutrality meant that the Cook Islands would not enter into a military relationship with any foreign power, and, in particular, would prohibit visits by US warships. Visits by US naval vessels were allowed to resume by Henry's Government.

'''1991''' — The Cook Islands signed a treaty of friendship and co-operation with France, covering economic development, trade and surveillance of the islands' EEZ. The establishment of closer relations with France was widely regarded as an expression of the Cook Islands' Government's dissatisfaction with existing arrangements with New Zealand which was no longer in a position to defend the Cook Islands. 

'''1995''' — The French Government resumed its Programme of nuclear-weapons testing at Mururoa Atoll in September 1995 upsetting the Cook Islands. Henry was fiercely critical of the decision and dispatched a vaka (traditional voyaging canoe) with a crew of Cook Islands' traditional warriors to protest near the test site. The tests were concluded in January 1996 and a moratorium was placed on future testing by the French government.

'''1997''' — Full diplomatic relations established with China.

'''1997''' — In November, Cyclone Martin in Manihiki kills at least six people; 80% of buildings are damaged and the black pearl industry suffered severe losses. 

'''2000''' — Full diplomatic relations concluded with France.

'''2002''' — Prime Minister Terepai Maoate is ousted from government following second vote of no-confidence in his leadership. 

'''2004''' — Prime Minister Robert Woonton visits China; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao grants $16 m in development aid. 

'''2006''' — Parliamentary elections held. The Democratic Party keeps majority of seats in parliament, but parliament is unable to meet due to petitions filed by the Cook Islands Party over alleged voting irregularities.

== Geography ==

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between coral atolls.<ref>"Cook Islands Travel Guide" (with description), ''World Travel Guide'', Nexus Media Communications, 2006. Webpage: [http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/65/country_guide/Australia-and-South-Pacific/Cook-Islands.html WTGuide-Cook-Islands].</ref>

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

right
The fifteen islands are grouped as follows:
*Southern Group
**Aitutaki 
**Atiu (Enua-Manu or Island of Birds)
**Mangaia
**Ma'uke (Akatokamanava)
**Rarotonga (with capital, Avarua)
**Palmerston Island
**Manuae
**Mitiaro
**Takutea

*Northern Group
**Manihiki
**Nassau
**Penrhyn Island also known as Tongareva
**Pukapuka
**Rakahanga
**Suwarrow also called Suvorov

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="right" width="300px"
|+<font size="+1">'''Cook Islands'''<br>Ilhas Cook</font>
|-
| style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan=2 |
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
|-
| align="center" width="140px" | 130px|Bandeira das Ilhas Cook
| align="center" width="140px" | 100px|Brasão das Ilhas Cook
|-
| align="center" width="140px" | (Imagem ampliada)
| align="center" width="140px" | (Imagem ampliada)
|}
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 style="border-bottom:3px solid gray;" | <font size="-1">''Lema: não tem''</font>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | Imagem:LocationCookIslands.png
|
|-
| Línguas
| Inglês (oficial), Maori
|-
| Capital
| Avarua
|-
| Raínha
| Isabel II
|-
| Primeiro-ministro
| Jim Marurai
|-
| Área<br> - Total <br> - % água
| 190º maior <br> 236 km² <br> 0%
|-
| Densidade
| 219º mais populoso<br> 21,008<br> 87 h/km²
|-
| Independência<br> - Data
| Não houve. Tornou-se autónomo em associação livre com a Nova Zelândia<br>4 de Agosto de 1965
|-
| Moeda
| dólar da Nova Zelândia (NZD)
|-
| Fuso horário
| UTC+10
|-
| Hino nacional
| ''God Defend New Zealand''
|-
| Domínio de topo
| .ck
|-
| Código telefónico
| 682
|}
thumb|Aitutaki, Ilhas Cook.
thumb|Rarotonga, Ilhas Cook.

As '''Ilhas Cook''' são um território sob administração da neo-zelandesas de Niue e de Tokelau, a oeste. Capital: Avarua.

== História ==
''Artigo principal: História das Ilhas Cook''

As ilhas, anteriormente exploradas e povoadas por polinésios e espanhóis, receberam seu nome do navegante britânico James Cook que, em 1770, traçou o primeiro mapa do arquipélago.

Em 1821, missionários taitianos foram enviados para as ilhas pela London Missionary Society e fundaram uma sociedade teocrática protestante. Destruíram as estrututas pagãs e as formas tradicionais de organização. As ilhas foram declaradas protetorado britânico em 1888 e passaram a fazer parte da Nova Zelândia em 1901, quando foi reconhecido o direito dos maoris a suas terras e foi proibida a venda de imóveis a estrangeiros. Desde 1965, através de um plebiscito promovido e supervisionado pela ONU, as ilhas votaram contra a independência e a favor de manter um vínculo com a Nova Zelândia.

Durante 15 anos, o primeiro-ministro Partido Democrático (PD), que iniciou programas de estímulo ao setor privado exportador de frutas. No entanto, foi deposto pelo Parlamento em 1987 e substituído por Pupuke Robati, também do PD.

A partir de 1991, quando as injeções econômicas da Nova Zelândia nas Ilhas Cook ficaram reduzidas a 17% do orçamento do arquipélago, os dois governos decidiram que o órgão auditor das Ilhas Cook ficaria encarregado de supervisionar as finanças estatais em substituição à auditoria da Nova Zelândia.

Ao iniciar-se a segunda metade da década de 90, a dívida pública estava em cerca de 900 milhões de dólares. O primeiro-ministro Geoffrey Henry anunciou uma série de medidas drásticas, como a redução em 50% do funcionalismo público, corte de 15% do salário dos funcionários estatais restantes e um plano de privatização. No final de 1997, acabou com alguns ministérios por falta de verbas e reduziu o orçamento dos restantes em 10%.

== Política ==
''Artigo principal: Política das Ilhas Cook''

== Subdivisões ==
''Artigo principal: Subdivisões das Ilhas Cook''

== Geografia ==
''Artigo principal: Geografia das Ilhas Cook''

As Ilhas Cook são um arquipélago situado no Pacífico Sul, com uma área de 236 km², a 2.700 km a nordeste da Nova Zelândia. É composto por 15 ilhas, estendidas em uma superfície marítima de 2 milhões de km². Divide-se em dois grupos: as ilhas do norte são seis pequenos atóis coralinos, baixos e áridos, com área total de 25 km²; as do sul são oito ilhas vulcânicas mais extensas, altas e férteis (211 km²). 

A capital Avarua fica na maior ilha, Rarotonga (67 km²). Há duas décadas, a cada cinco anos, a ilha tem sofrido secas gravíssimas.

== Economia ==
''Artigo principal: Economia das Ilhas Cook''

== Demografia ==
''Artigo principal: Demografia das Ilhas Cook''

'''Composição étnica:''' a maioria da população é maori.

'''Religião:''' Cristianismo.

'''Idiomas:''' O inglês é a língua oficial. A língua nacional e as tradições são similares às dos maoris da Nova Zelândia.