Rarotonga gained independence in 1858, and later accepted a UK protectorate in 1888 upon its request, renamed the Cook Islands Federation in 1893; New Zealand annexation followed in 1900 after chiefs ceded governance. The largest Cook Islands island is volcanic, featuring Te Manga peak as a landmark, and it saw HMS Bounty mutineers in 1789, preceding missionary activity that shaped local order. Today, it is the most populous island in the Cook Islands, home to ariki-led governance and long-term Christian conversion.
Rarotonga, largest island in the southern group of the Cook Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,100 miles (3,400 km) northeast of New Zealand. The island is volcanic in origin and has a rugged interior rising to 2,139 feet (652 metres) at Te Manga. Surrounding its mountainous core is a
www.britannica.comRarotonga 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 th...
www.wikiwand.comRarotonga facts for kids
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