Demographics
The Cook Island people are culturally part of eastern Polynesia although the island of Pukapuka stands out as different in this regard. The people of Pukapuka have a close ancestral tie to the Samoan area and while most communities in the Cooks speak a dialect of the East Polynesian, Cook Island Maori language, Pukapukans speak their own language which is part of the Samoaic sub-branch of the Polynesian language family. The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over 850,000 square miles of the pacific, close to the center of the Polynesian triangle. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands and offers a Mecca for rest and relaxation.

• Country name: Cook Islands
• Capital Name: Avarua
• Population: 21,923 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Cook Islander(s)
• Languages: English (official), Maori
• Ethnic Groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)

Economy
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, employing about one-third of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. 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.

• GDP (purchasing power parity): $183.2 million (2005 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2005 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2005 est.)
• Exports: $5.222 million (2005)
• Imports: $81.04 million (2005)

Government
The Cook Islands has a unicameral parliament with 24 elected members and a parliamentary term of four years. There is also a 15-member House of Ariki (Chiefs), established in 1966, composed of six Ariki from Rarotonga and nine from the outer islands. The Ariki advise the Government on land use and customary issues. There is full adult suffrage and although registration is compulsory, voting is not.
On 24 July 2006, after a period of political instability with a number of MPs breaking away from their parties, the Cook Islands' Queens Representative dissolved the Cook Islands Parliament, to allow a fresh expression of the will of the people. A snap election was called for 26 September 2006. The Democratic Party retained power with an increased and substantial majority. The Cook Islans Party, lead by Tom Marsters forms the opposition, with two independent MPs.
The Prime Minister, Hon Jim Marurai, has indicated his intention to spearhead political reform during the remainder of his term, including placing limitations on the terms of office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, reducing the number of MPs and introducing a parliamentary code of conduct.

• Administrative divisions: None
• Legal system: Based on New Zealand law and English common law
• Constitution: 4 August 1965
• Independence: 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)

References
Cook Islands Government - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook