 NASA satellite image of Rarotonga | |
  Rarotonga  Rarotonga  Rarotonga | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Central-Southern Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 21°14′6″S 159°46′41″W / 21.23500°S 159.77806°W |
| Archipelago | Cook Islands |
| Major islands | Motutapu, Oneroa, Koromiri, Taakoka |
| Area | 67.39 km2 (26.02 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,139 ft (652 m) |
| Highest point | Te Manga |
| Administration | |
| Largest settlement | Avarua (pop. 4,906) |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Rarotongan |
| Population | 13,007[1] |
Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km2 (26.02 sq mi), and is home to almost 75% of the country's population, with 10,898 of a total population of 15,040.[2] The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga. Rarotonga is a very popular tourist destination with many resorts, hotels and motels. The chief town, Avarua, on the north coast, is the capital of the Cook Islands.
Captain John Dibbs, master of the colonial brig Endeavour, is credited as the European discoverer on 25 July 1823, while transporting the missionary Reverend John Williams.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Census2016was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "2021 Census of Population and Dwellings | Cook Islands Statistics Office". Retrieved 26 October 2023.