Rarotonga

Rarotonga

NASA satellite image of Rarotonga
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Geography
Location	Central-Southern Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	21°14′6″S 159°46′41″W / 21.23500°S 159.77806°W / -21.23500; -159.77806
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
Cook Islands
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.