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Source– This post on Cook Islands has been created based on the article “The tiny nation at the vanguard of mining the ocean floor” published in “The Hindu” on 9th May 2024.
Why in the news?
The Cook Islands is leading efforts to explore deep-sea mining for minerals essential in electric car batteries.
About Cook Islands
1. Cook Islands is a self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand.
2. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Avarua on Rarotonga Island.
3. The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands divided into the Northern and Southern island groups.
a. The northern islands are mostly low-lying and sparsely populated coral atolls; and include the islands of Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow. These islands are covered in light vegetation and equipped with white sand beaches.
B. The southern islands generally consist of much larger higher islands that are volcanic in origin and more densely populated.
3. Highest and lowest point: The highest point is Te Manga on the Rarotonga island and the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean (0m).
4. Flora and fauna: The Cook Islands has a unique tropical ecosystem. This includes approximately 100 native ferns, 200 flowering plants, 500 fish species, a dozen lizards, landbirds, shellfish, migrant birds, resident seabirds, as well as marine turtles and humpback whales
UPSC Syllabus: Places in News
