The US state of Hawaii lies 1470 miles (2367 km) north of the equator and 2500 miles (4025 km) southwest of the nearest continental land mass, North America. The six main islands are part of a 128-island archipelago stretching 1523 miles (2452 km) from Kure Atoll in the northwest to the Big Island in the southwest. The main islands include Oahu, and the Neighbor Islands of Maui, Kauai, the Big Island (Hawaii), Molokai and Lanai. The islands are the tips of massive mountains, created by a crack in the earth's mantle which has been spewing molten rock for 25 million years. The Big Island, Hawaii's southernmost, is still in the birthing process. Its most active volcano, Kilauea, has pumped out more than two billion cubic yards of lava in the past 12 years.

The native flora and fauna species of these isolated islands evolved with limited competition and few predators, so has fared particularly badly against more aggressive species introduced by early Polynesian settlers and Westerners. The islands are home to thousands of species, but of the 2400 native plant species remaining, almost half are endangered. It's a happier story in the sea. Hawaiian monk seals, dolphins and whales are year-round residents, though it's the huge, migrating humpback whales that everyone wants to see. Hawaii has only two national parks - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park.

The climate in Hawaii is fantastic. It's balmy and warm, with northeasterly trade winds prevailing most of the year. Near the coast, average highs are a pleasant 80°F (27°C), and the difference between summer and winter average temperatures is a meager five or 10 degrees. The rainiest period is between December and March. In general, the driest, sunniest conditions and the calmest waters are on the southwesterly, or leeward, side of the islands. Conversely, the northeasterly, or windward, side of the islands receive decent rainfalls: Hilo, the rainiest city in the USA, is on the windward side of the Big Island.

How much money you need for visiting Hawaii depends on your traveling style. Some people get by quite cheaply while others rack up huge balances on their credit cards. Airfare to Hawaii is usually one of the heftier parts of the budget. Fares vary greatly, particularly from the US mainland. Note that Hawaii stopovers are often thrown in for free, or for a nominal charge, on trips between North America and Asian or Pacific countries Another cost-cutter is to travel in the low season, generally from April to mid-December, when accommodation rates are often discounted by as much as 30%.

It's quite possible to squeeze by on $25 a day if camping, hitchhiking or riding the bus and preparing your own meals. Private accommodation, a few prepared meals and a nip of nightlife will send costs skyrocketing toward closer to $100 per day. Luxury splurges mean the sky's the limit - cruiseshippers and other package tourists think nothing of dropping in excess of $500 a day here.

As is true all across the USA, greenbacks (US dollars) are the only ducats that talk. Traveler's checks are best carried in US dollars, but other major currencies can be exchanged at larger banks and the international airport. Major credit cards are gladly accepted by most establishments catering to tourists, but smaller B&Bs and local restaurants often balk at the sight of plastic. ATMs are widespread.

Although Hawaii's busiest tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping cold winters back home. Average temperatures differ very little from winter to summer. June through October is the hottest period, while rainfall is heaviest between December and March - neither extreme is worth worrying over. Hotel prices are lowest between April and mid-December.

If you're a surfer, you won't want to miss the Christmas-time action around Oahu's North Shore, but if windsurfing or diving is more your thing, you'll find the waters at their calmest at the height of summer (July and August).