Related FAQs: The Fishes of the Cook Islands,

Coverage of families in the Cooks: Surgeons, Doctorfishes, Tangs,  Triggerfishes,  Hawkfishes, Wrasses

Related Articles: Introduction to Fishwatcher's Guide Series Pieces/Sections,

/Fishwatching: Adventure Travel Series

Pet-Fishing in the Cook Islands

Long Version, Part I

To: Pet-Fishing in the Cooks, Short Version, Longer Version: Part II

Hawai'i's principal islands are about 32 degrees north latitude.

Spread out in an area larger than Western Europe.

Cook Islanders original Polynesian inhabitants gave rise to the Maori of New Zealand. The country was a British Commonwealth, now semi-independent (reliant on aid, protection from NZ). The Cooks are a Parliamentary democracy, a very stable government. The populace are mainly Christians of different sorts.

This island nation is made up of fifteen islands, only the surface area of 241 sq. km. (about size of Rhode Island in the US), spread over water area of over 2 million sq. km. Most folks just visit Roratonga, Aitutaki Islands in the southern group. The islands are volcanic in origin (though some now just low-lying sand spots) like Hawai'i. Steep shorelines, little shelf, deep water about.

vImports exceed exports. vMore citizens outside. vBlack pearls largest export. vTourism most important, about 50k tourists a year, 11k population/Rora.  

Principal Island population, size (67.1 sq. km., about 35 mile drive around edge), capital wise.

Second most popular island in Cook's. Site of original "Survivor" show. Population 2,332. Size 18.3 sq. km. Larger surrounding lagoon.

The principal Cook Islands are one of those places where you can proverbially put a stick in the ground and it will grow.