The flag of the Cook Islands (Maori: Te pīwari o ngā Kuki Airani) is a blue ensign consisting of the Union Flag on the top left and fifteen white stars lined up in a circle on the right. The Union Flag is a symbol of the country's historical ties with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The fifteen stars represent the fifteen islands that make up the Cook Islands. The height-to-width ratio in the flag is 1:2, and the flag was adopted on August 4, 1979.
The blue shield in its coat of arms includes the stars on the flag. Behind the shield is a cross and a Rarotongan club, symbolizing Christianity and tradition. Above the shield is a traditional headdress of red feathers, and the shield is supported by a flying fish and a white tern.
The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean that is in free association with New Zealand. Its capital is Avarua, and its population is about 17,459 (2016).
Capital and largest city: | Avarua |
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Other major city: | Amuri |
Official languages: | English, Cook Islands Māori |
Region: | Polynesia |
Ethnic groups: | 81.3% Māori, 6.7% Part-Māori, 11.9% Other |
Religions: | 96% Christian, 0.1% Muslim, 0.1% Hindu, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.1% Folk Religion, 0.1% Jew, 3.2% Unaffiliated |
Nationality name: | Cook Islander |
Area: | 236.7 km² (91.4 sq mi) |
Population: | 17,459 (2016) |
Currency: | New Zealand dollar, Cook Islands dollar |
Country codes: | CK, COK (ISO 3166) |
Internet Top-Level Domain: | .ck |
Calling code: | +682 |
Flag emoji code: | 🇨🇰 |
Keywords: Flag and coat of arms of the Cook Islands (Maori: Te pīwari o ngā Kuki Airani), GIF
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