The land area of the state of Hawaii consists of the tops of a chain of emerged volcanic mountains that form 8 major islands and 124 islets, stretching in a 1,500-mile (2,400-km) crescent from Kure Island in the west to the island of Hawaii in the east.

The US state of Hawaii is an island group located in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, about 4,400 km (2,800 mi) south of Alaska, and 4,200 km (2,600 mi) north of Tahiti (French Polynesia).

The Hawaiian Islands were formed by such a hot spot occurring in the middle of the Pacific Plate. While the hot spot itself is fixed, the plate is moving. So, as the plate moved over the hot spot, the string of islands that make up the Hawaiian Island chain were formed.

137 islands The state of Hawaii officially recognizes only 137 islands in the state which includes four islands of the Midway Atoll. An island in this sense may also include much smaller and typically uninhabited islets, rocks, coral reefs, and atolls.

5 Facts about Hawaii

• It is the home of a 70-mile-wide volcano.
• It is where Captain James Cook met his unfortunate end.
• It is the most isolated island chain on Earth.
• Its unique language is comprised of a 12-letter alphabet.
• It is plastic-free.

Also known as “The Big Island,” Hawaii Island is over 4,000 square miles and encompasses 63 percent of the Hawaiian archipelago's combined landmass and is the largest island in the United States. The island has five volcanoes, including sacred dormant volcano Mauna Kea.

Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches - some of them with unusual colors. Many beaches are filled with white sand, but other Hawaiian shores are covered with green, red, pink, and even black sand. Whether you like hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, swimming, or just sitting on the beach, Hawaii is the state for you.

5 Facts about Hawaii

• It is the home of a 70-mile-wide volcano.
• It is where Captain James Cook met his unfortunate end.
• It is the most isolated island chain on Earth.
• Its unique language is comprised of a 12-letter alphabet.
• It is plastic-free.

With its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and towering volcanoes, Hawaii is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. For many, it's a paradise of natural beauty that seems almost too perfect to be real.

4,000 square miles Also known as “The Big Island,” Hawaii Island is over 4,000 square miles and encompasses 63 percent of the Hawaiian archipelago's combined landmass and is the largest island in the United States. The island has five volcanoes, including sacred dormant volcano Mauna Kea.

10 Fun Facts That Make Hawaii Unique

• Mauna Kea is the tallest peak in the world.
• Honolulu is the most isolated city of its size in the world.
• 'Iolani Palace is the only official royal residence in the U.S., and had electricity years before the White House.
• Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee.