Cook Islands, a political dependency of New Zealand consisting of 15 islands located in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles (3,218 km.) northeast of New Zealand, has an area of 93 sq. mi. (234 sq. km.) and a population of 20,000. Capital: Avarua. The United States claims the islands of Danger, Manahiki, Penrhyn and Rakahanga atolls. Citrus, canned fruit and juices, copra, clothing, jewelry and mother-of-pearl shell are exported. ,The islands were first sighted by Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendada in 1595. Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernandes de Quieros landed on Rakahanga in 1606. English navigator Capt. James Cook sailed to the islands on three occasions: 1773, 1774 and 1777. He named them Hervey Islands, in honor of Augustus John Hervey, a lord of the Admiralty. The islands were declared a British protectorate in 1888, and were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. They were granted internal self-government in 1965. New Zealand provides an annual subsidy and retains responsibility for defense and foreign affairs.,, ,As a territory of New Zealand, the Cook Islands are considered to be within the Commonwealth Nations.,, Rulers:,,, ,New Zealand, 1901-,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Shilling = 12 Pence,, ,1 Pound = 20 Shillings, to 1967,, ,1 Dollar = 100 Cents, 1967-,,