ministrative divisions:
none
Independence:
none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4
August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence
by unilateral action)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 4 August
Constitution:
4 August 1965
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Representative of the
Queen Apenera SHORT (since NA); Representative of New Zealand Adrian
SINCOCK (since NA)
head of government:
Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime
Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989)
cabinet:
Cabinet; collectively responsible to the Parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 24 March 1994 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) Cook Islands Party 20,
Democratic Party 3, Alliance Party 2
note:
the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has
no legislative powers
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY; Democratic Party, Sir Thomas
DAVIS; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena JONASSEN; Cook Islands People's
Party, Sadaraka SADARAKA; Alliance, Norman GEORGE
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, INTELSAT (nonsignatory
user), IOC, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a
large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island)
centered in the outer half of the flag

@Cook Islands, Economy

Overview:
Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are
fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a
fruit-processing plant and 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 from foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current
economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential
and expanding the fi