Hawaii is one of the most isolated island groups on Earth, far from any mainland.

The longer version

Isolated islands usually form over a hotspot, where a plume of hot rock rises through the crust and builds volcanoes on the seafloor. As the plate above drifts, new volcanoes form and older ones erode, leaving a chain. The distance from any continent means few plants or animals arrived naturally.

Those that did reach the islands often evolved into many distinct forms, filling empty roles in the ecosystem. Isolation also makes such ecosystems fragile, since species have no defences against introduced predators or diseases. The surrounding ocean moderates temperature, giving a mild climate year round, while volcanic rock weathers into fertile soil.

Where this entry sits

These facts wander across maps, borders, deserts, rivers, mountains, and the extreme corners of the natural world. Each one is short and self-contained, offering a small surprise about places you may never visit rather than anything you actually need. The full list sits on the Geography page, where every entry is listed in order.