The Hawaiian resort of Maui is a stunning island paradise, with white sand beaches, warm oceans, jungles and watersports.

The islands of Hawai'i lie in the Pacific Ocean, over two thousand miles off the west coast of the United States. There are more than a hundred islands in total, most of which are tiny atolls.

Maui, nicknamed The Valley Isle, is the second-largest island and features two extinct volcanoes that are split by a central valley. It was originally home to Polynesian tribes from Tahiti and the Marquesas and was ruled by a series of powerful native chiefs from the 14th century.

European missionaries and whalers arrived in the 1820s and the island's governor, Hoapili, converted to Christianity shortly afterwards. The conversion of the island to Christianity led to strict laws against drinking and debauchery, which antagonised the whalers and lead to several incidents.

As whaling declined in the late 1800s, the sugar industry on Maui grew and formed the basis of the economy, until tourism took over during the 1960s. Maui became the 50th state of the United States in 1959 and tourism is now the chief trade, with hundreds of thousands of tourists flocking to the island each year.

The population is around 120,000 and the island itself is around 7237sq miles (1,883sq km). The numerous national parks are teeming with wildlife and a joy to visit, while the myriad beaches provide everything from lively activities to laidback isolation.

The ancient Pi'ilanihale Heiau temple and the palace built by King Kamehameha I to welcome visitors to the island are sites of particular interest to visitors, while the Maui Ocean Center allows visitors to get close to rays, turtles and sea life.

Nature lovers will enjoy trekking in the tropical jungle, watching pods of humpback whales and watching the exotic marine life and sea turtles.

The idyllic sandy beaches of the sunny western coast are part of the island's charm and perfect for lounging on, with many located close to a variety of tourist amenities and resorts.

Maui is a Mecca for watersports lovers, with excellent conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and surfing, and the island also has a number of excellent golf courses.

Other sights of interest on Maui include the Road to Hana drive from the central valley to Hana, the huge, colourful Haleakala crater, the opulent Ka'anapali resort development and the numerous colonial houses, historic buildings and estates open to the public.

Accommodation on Maui ranges from small B&Bs to luxurious five star hotels. Most of the restaurants on Maui understandably specialise in seafood, with exotic dishes featuring fruits and vegetables unique to Hawai'i produced by the island's chefs.

Nightlife tends to centre around the many bars and restaurants around the island, particularly in the tourist areas of Lahaina, Wailuku and Kahului, though the huge Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului offers a varied programme of events.

Shopping is a favourite pastime in Maui, with everything from kitsch hula dancers and local crafts to designer gear on offer in the streets of its towns and resorts.

Maui has a stable tropical climate, with warm temperatures year round and a wet season between November and April. Flights to the island are available from the UK or the US and numerous travel companies offer package deals or cruises.

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