waii was the 50th state to be welcomed into the United States. Prior to receiving admission into the U.S. in 1959, Hawaii initially existed as a kingdom and then a republic ruled by European forces. Alaska aside, Hawaii is unique in the way that it does not connect to the rest of the United States. The forty-eight states that are part of the North American continent are referred to as the contiguous states, meaning they share borders. Hawaii and Alaska are the only two states in the U.S. that do not connect to the rest of the United States.
With a latitude of 19.8968° N and a longitude of 155.5828° W, Hawaii lies in the Oceanic Region of the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is the only U.S. state to exist as far west of North America as it does.
Hawaii has a latitude of 19.8968° N and a longitude of 155.5828° W. Though Hawaii is officially a state, the fact that Hawaii is an accumulation of multiple islands can be a cause of confusion for people who assume a state has to be landlocked along at least one border, as are the other U.S. states. Hawaii is just a little bit different.
The Hawaiian Islands are located in Pacific Ocean in an area by the name of Polynesia. It references a plethora of islands located in Oceania. This region contains all the Hawaiian Islands as well as numerous other islands. Hawaii’s main islands form a V-shape with New Zealand and the Easter Islands when viewed from an aerial perspective, resulting in the title of the Polynesian Triangle.
Even though Hawaii is composed entirely of islands, the state has a relatively high elevation level. On average, Hawaiian land is 3,030 feet above sea level. At its lowest point, Hawaii is level with the Pacific Ocean. At its tallest point, the Mauna Kea volcano has an elevation of 13,796 feet above sea level.
Dubbed the Paradise of the Pacific, Hawaii is similar to Florida in that it is a tourism hotspot. The Hawaiian Islands are the heart of pineapple, sugarcane, and coconuts. People traverse land and miles of oceanic waters to arrive at their destination on an island in Hawaii. The beauty of Hawaii detracts from the realization that the islands are a conglomeration of volcanoes. Some islands are active, while others are dormant. Educating yourself on volcanic activity before you visit Hawaii is the best way to avoid coming into contact with an eruption.