Hawaii is the only state that is made up of islands. It is also the only state located almost entirely in the tropics. Besides its moist, warm climate, it has coral reefs, sandy beaches, and beautiful mountains. Hawaii is the only state that is not part of the North American continent.

Hawaii consists of a chain of 132 islands in the Pacific. The islands are actually peaks of huge underwater volcanoes that began erupting millions of years ago.

Tourism is Hawaii's most important industry. Hawaii's tropical climate makes it one of the world's leading producers of pineapple and sugarcane.

Hawaii became a state on August 21, 1959. Its capital is Honolulu and it is known as "The Aloha State."