Avarua main township and national capital of Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Avarua district in the north of Rarotonga Island, is the national capital of Cook Islands. The downtown area is located at sea level and the island of Rarotonga stands over 14,750 feet (4,500 meters) above the ocean floor. The island is 20 miles (32 km) in circumference and has an area of 26 square miles (67.19 km²). At a depth of 13,000 ft (4,000 m), the volcano is nearly 31 miles (50 km) in diameter. Te Manga stands at 2,140 ft (658 m) above sea level, and is the highest peak on the island. The town has several supermarkets, two banks, several restaurants and other shops specializing in the sale of black pearls and other handicrafts. The population of Avarua District is 5,445 (census of 2006), who mainly make their living from tourism, trade, fishing and agriculture. In the photograph you can see the two main harbours - Avatiu (lower) which is the commercial port and largest of two and Avarua (upper) is the other. Avatiu harbour serves a small fleet of inter-islands and fishing vessels and cargo ships regularly call from New Zealand. Large cruise ships have to anchor off shore. Both harbours face the North.

Bill Johnson - Johnsons' Photography