several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will continue to face severe financial problems.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990)
Labor force: 5,810
by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,
industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: fruit processing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 21 million kWh consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams, taro
Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
partners: NZ 80%, Japan
Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
External debt: $160 million (1994)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget support
and $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country's
largest source of aid
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 187 km paved: 35 km unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)
Ports: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
(1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Communications———————
Telephones: 4,180 (1994)
Telephone system:
domestic: the 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: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 13,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 studio and 8 low-powered repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)
Defense———
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
======================================================================
@Coral Sea Islands————————
(territory of Australia)
Map—
Location: 18 00 S, 152 00 E—Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,
northeast of Australia
Flag——
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography————
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: less than 3 sq km
land area: less than 3 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important nesting area for birds and turtles
People———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are three
meteorologists
Government—————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Data code: CR
Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy———
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation———————