Cook Islands 🇨🇰 is a fascinating country located in Polynesia, part of the Oceania region. Officially known as Cook Islands, it is home to roughly 17,000 people and covers an area of about 236 square kilometres.
On this page you will find a complete profile of Cook Islands — its capital Avarua, its people and languages, the money used there, where it sits on the world map, and plenty of facts worth remembering the next time the country comes up in a quiz.
Cook Islands on the map
Geographically, Cook Islands belongs to Polynesia within Oceania. Its territory spans approximately 236 km², which makes it the 220th largest country or territory on Earth.
Cook Islands has no land borders at all — it is surrounded entirely by water, and this island setting has given it a distinct identity, ecosystem and way of life.
The capital city is Avarua, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how cook islander life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of Cook Islands
Around 17,000 people live in Cook Islands, making it the 226th most populous country or territory in the world. A person from Cook Islands is called a Cook Islander.
Cook Islands is multilingual: the languages spoken include Cook Islands Māori and English. This linguistic variety reflects the country's layered history and the many communities that shaped it.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in Cook Islands — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Practical information about Cook Islands
The official currency is the Cook Islands dollar (CKD, symbol $). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for Cook Islands is +682. Websites from the country typically use the .ck internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about Cook Islands are its flag, its capital Avarua, and its approximate population of 17,000.
Fun facts about Cook Islands
- Cook Islands's flag emoji is 🇨🇰 — its two-letter country code is CK and its three-letter code is COK.
- Cook Islands covers 236 km², ranking 220th in the world by area.
- With about 17,000 people, Cook Islands holds the 226th spot in the world population ranking.
- Cook Islands is not a full member state of the United Nations.
- Cook Islands is completely surrounded by water, with zero land borders.
Cook Islands — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Cook Islands?
- The capital of Cook Islands is Avarua.
- What is the population of Cook Islands?
- Cook Islands has a population of approximately 17,000 people, ranking 226th in the world.
- Where is Cook Islands located?
- Cook Islands is located in Polynesia, part of the Oceania region.
- What language is spoken in Cook Islands?
- The languages spoken in Cook Islands include Cook Islands Māori and English.
- What currency is used in Cook Islands?
- Cook Islands uses the Cook Islands dollar (CKD).
