The Cook Islands lies in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle in the South Pacific Ocean and is spread over 850,000 square miles (2.2 million square kilometres). The Cook Islands is virtually in the same position south of the equator as Hawaii is north. New Zealand is a 4-hour flight to the south, and Honolulu is a 6-hour flight to the north. The Cook Islands is made up of 15 islands broadly falling into two groups, one to the north and one to the south. The Southern Group is nine ‘high’ islands mainly of volcanic origin although some are virtually atolls.
The majority of the population lives in the Southern Group;
Southern Group: Southern Group: Rarotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Mitiaro, Takutea, Manuae, Aitutaki and Palmerston.
Six atolls make up the Northern Group;
Northern Group: Suwarrow, Nassau, Pukapuka, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Penrhyn (Tongareva).
Rarotonga is the capital and also the largest (67 sq. km.) and the highest (658m above MSL). The international airport for the Cooks Islands is on Rarotonga. Air New Zealand is scheduled carriers, operating several flights from New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii, Los Angeles and Fiji. Canada 3000 flies a popular charter service between Vancouver, Rarotonga, Auckland and Sydney between November and April.
