The 50th and newest state in the Union is Hawaii. In many
ways it is the most unusual one. It lies almost entirely in
the tropics. It has the world's largest active and inactive
volcanoes. Separated from the United States mainland by the
world's biggest ocean, the Pacific, it is the only state that
does not fall within the continent of North America. It is the
only state that was once an independent kingdom and the only
state that is composed entirely of islands.
   Unlike the other states, Hawaii has its roots in Asia
rather than in Europe. Of its present population about one
out of every three citizens is a member of the white race. A
majority of Hawaiians are of Oriental descent. Yet, like the
people of all the other states, the people of Hawaii are
Americans. Nearly everyone in Hawaii speaks English, follows
American customs, and uses American products.
   Honolulu, the capital and principal city, is as modern as
any city. It has traffic jams, big stores, and not enough
parking space. Hawaii has been a busy, mid-ocean American
community for more than a half century. 

Size and Location
 
  The state of Hawaii is a chain of rugged islands, coral
reefs, and rocky shoals located in the North Pacific Ocean.
It is also known as the Hawaiian Archipelago. This chain is
crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. It is some 2,100 nautical
miles away from the west coast of the mainland United States.
There are about 20 islands and islets in the chain, which
curves more than 1,600 miles southeast to northwest. 
Hawaii's total area of 6,450 square miles is less than that
of any other state except Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode
Island.        (Compton's Encyclopedia) 


Home