Cook Islands

Map of Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and Fiji. There are fifteen (15) major islands and divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands, and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls. The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls (sunken volcanoes topped by coral growth).

The 15 islands and two reefs are grouped as follows:

Southern Cook Islands:
Nga-pu-Toru (Three Roots, the group name for the easternmost islands of Southern Group comprising Atiu, Ma'uke and Mitiaro)
Atiu (Enua Manu or Island of Birds)
Ma'uke (Akatokamanava)
Mitiaro (Nukuroa)

Remaining Islands of the South are:
Aitutaki (Araura Enua)
Mangaia (Auau Enua)
Rarotonga (Tumutevarovaro) and also with the capital, Avarua.
Palmerston Island (Pamati) (sometimes grouped with the Northern Group)
Manuae
Takutea
Winslow Reef (submerged)

Rakahanga atoll

Penrhyn atoll

Manihiki atoll

Northern Cook Islands:
Manihiki (Te Fuinga O niva)
Nassau
Penrhyn Island (Tongareva or Mangarongaro)
Pukapuka (Te ulu o te watu)
Rakahanga (Tapuahua)
Suwarrow also called Suvorov
Tema Reef (submerged)