RAROTONGA

largest of the lower Cook Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,100 miles (3,400 km) northeast of New Zealand. Its area is 26 square miles (67 square km). Volcanic in origin, it has a rugged interior rising to Mount Te Manga (2,140 ft ). Surrounding its mountainous core is a plain, an ancient raised coral fringing reef that has since been covered with sediment. The island is fringed by a coral reef. Visited in 1789 by mutineers from the British ship Bounty, Rarotonga bears marks of a long habitation, including marae, or temple platforms, in the Tupapa Valley. The Ara Metua, an ancient pathway, circles the island parallel to a modern road. Rarotonga was the base from which Reverend John Williams of the London Missionary Society (who arrived in 1823) sought to Christianize the islands. Avarua, its main port, is the seat of administration for the Cook Islands. Absence of a suitable lagoon forces oceangoing ships to lie off the reef and move cargoes ashore via lighters. Rarotonga's economy is based on citrus fruits, pineapples, coconuts, bananas, and light industry. The tourist industry has grown slowly since the introduction of international air service in 1973. The island has a hospital, Tereora College (a postprimary school), and a teacher-training college at Nikao. Pop. (1986) 9,678.