Cook Islands is a self-governing island group in free association with New Zealand, comprising two groups of widely scattered islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The Southern, or Lower, Group includes Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuae, and Takutea. Rarotonga has an international airport. Most of these islands are volcanic in origin, mountainous, and relatively fertile; several are coral islands. The Northern Group consists of low-lying coral islands and includes Pukapuka, Tongareva (also called Penrhyn), Manihiki, Palmerston, Rakahanga, Suwarrow, and Nassau. The port of Avarua on the island of Rarotonga is the administration center of the Cook Islands.

Tourism is the leading industry in the islands. Coconuts, citrus fruits, copra, pineapple, clothing, mother-of-pearl shells, and handicrafts are among the principal exports. The inhabitants of the Cook Islands are Polynesians, culturally and linguistically related to the Maori of New Zealand.