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Rising majestically out of the Pacific, the Hawaiian Islands are bathed in cool breezes, pleasant temperatures and a laid-back vibe that have made them one of the world’s foremost tourist destinations. The newest U.S. state, Hawaii may be the most in touch with its origins, blending local language and customs into modern life. The islands captivated the world with their rich natural beauty, but it’s the open, generous spirit of Aloha that really makes Hawaii such a great place to live.

The Hawaiian archipelago was first settled before 1,000 A.D. by Polynesian explorers, most likely from the Marquesas, Society or Tahitian islands. Political life was dominated by warring chiefdoms until the islands were unified by King Kamehameha in 1795, while a complex caste hierarchy and kapu (taboo) system regulated social life.

After its discovery by Europeans, Hawaii rapidly became an important stop for trading vessels in the Pacific as well as a major exporter of sugar and pineapples. Annexed by the United States in 1898, Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959. The islands were long dominated by plantations and military bases, with the more recent emergence of tourism adding a third pillar to the economy. These industries attracted many immigrants to these shores, with arrivals from Asia, Europe and the rest of the U.S. mixing with locals to give the islands the diverse character they have today.

Hawaii is made up of eight major volcanic islands: Hawaii (or the Big Island), Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. While good weather and a warm, generous spirit characterize Hawaii all year round, there is a surprising diversity of people and places around the islands. Each of the isles has its own character, from the Big Island of Hawaii, with its coffee plantations and towering active volcanoes, to Niihau, where little English is spoken, passing through the tourist mecca of Maui and thickly populated Oahu (which has a greater population density than New Jersey).

On any of the islands, the climate can vary drastically from place to place, depending on the elevation, distance from the ocean, and relative exposure to the trade winds (which blow East to West). While temperature variations are very small throughout the year, with highs in the 70s to 80s and lows in the 60s and 70s in most coastal areas, precipitation is another story: it’s not uncommon for some areas on the windward side to get well over 200 inches of rain per year (Kauai’s Mount Waialeale is the second wettest place on Earth at 460), while some areas on the leeward side receive over ten times less. Rising quickly to over 13,000 feet over sea level, the Big Isle’s Mana Loa and Mana Kea even get the occasional snowfall.

The planet’s most isolated population center, Hawaii seems to exist in its own little world, with local concerns (like how the surf is breaking today) the only ones that really matter. Warm and pleasant in both temperature and outlook, Hawaii is a veritable paradise. Long adored by tourists the world over, it offers its greatest rewards to those who call the islands home.