Cook+Island

= Rarotonga is the most populous island of the [|Cook Islands], with a population of 14,153 ([|census] 2006). = = RAROTONGA is the youngest island in the Cook Islands southern group it is physically unlike its other volcanic neighbors where erosion and periodic submersions have reduced mountains to gentle hills. Rarotonga's central massif is the eroded remains of a once mighty volcanic pyramid whose crags now form sawtooth peaks and razorback ridges covered with tropical jungle. These are separated by streams running down steep valleys. = = Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the [|international airport], are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as [|Aitutaki] or [|Mangaia]. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with many [|resorts], [|hotels] and [|motels]. The chief town, [|Avarua], on the north coast, is also the [|capital] of the Cook Islands. = = The languages of the Cook Islands include [|English], [|Cook Islands Māori], or "Rarotongan," and [|Pukapukan]. Dialects of Cook Islands Maori include [|Penrhyn]; [|Rakahanga-Manihiki]; the Ngaputoru dialect of [|Atiu], [|Mitiaro], and [|Mauke]; the [|Aitutaki] dialect; and the [|Mangaian] dialect. Cook Islands Maori and its dialectic variants are closely related to both [|Tahitian] and to [|New Zealand] [|Māori]. [|Pukapukan], by contrast, is considered closely related to the [|Samoan language]. Both English and Cook Islands Maori are considered [|official languages] of the Cook Islands. =

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