Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 islands in the South Pacific, about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. They were named after Captain James Cook, who explored the islands in 1770. The Cook Islands are self-governing, but they are in free association with New Zealand, which means that New Zealand is responsible for their defense and foreign affairs. The Cook Islands have a tropical climate and are a popular tourist destination. The main industries on the islands are tourism, agriculture, and fishing.