(2009) country comparison to the world: 211
Telephone system:
general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable
international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media:
1 privately-owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs; a satellite program package is available; 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)
Internet country code:
.ck
Internet hosts:
2,521 (2010) country comparison to the world: 150
Internet users:
6,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 204
Transportation ::Cook Islands
Airports:
10 (2010) country comparison to the world: 157
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 203 paved: 33 km
unpaved: 287 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 34 country comparison to the world: 82 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 27, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 5
foreign-owned: 23 (Egypt 1, Germany 1, Latvia 1, Lithuania 2, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 6, NZ 1, Russia 1, Sweden 3, Turkey 4, UK 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Avatiu
Military ::Cook Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16–49: 2,272
females age 16–49: 2,222 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 136
female: 115 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues ::Cook Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Coral Sea Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Coral Sea Islands
Background:
Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs.
Geography ::Coral Sea Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: less than 3 sq km country comparison to the world: 248 land: less than 3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km with the Willis Islets the most important
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
