The Cook Islands is a Polynesian country including an archipelago in the South Pacific southeast of Samoa and west of Tahiti and the other islands of French Polynesia. The islands fall into two groups, a Southern Group of volcanic islands (similar to Tahiti) and a Northern Group of low coral atolls. A dependency of New Zealand since 1901, in 1965 the country became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, not a colony but not quite an independent nation; New Zealand provides for the defense of the islands and provides some economic support. Cook Islanders are also citizens of New Zealand. The population of the country is about 18,000. The most populous island, Rarotonga, is in the south. It includes about 2/3 of the population of the country as well as the national capital, Avarua. Aitutaki, with a population of about 2000, is said to be the second most visited island of the country; it is about 265 km (165 mi) north of Rarotonga but still part of the Southern Group. Scheduled air service is available to both islands. The Cook Islands have no traditional lighthouses but there are several minor lights. It is likely that Maritime New Zealand has assisted in the installation and maintenance of these lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume K of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 111.
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: North: Samoa | East: French Polynesia | West: Niue
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Posted May 9, 2014. Checked and revised October 2, 2023. Lighthouses: 0. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.