The state encompasses nearly the entire volcano Hawaii Island Chains, which comprises hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 mi (2,400 km). At the southeastern end of the archipelago, the eight "main islands" are (from the northwest to southeast). The last is by far the largest and is often called "The Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state as a whole. The archipelago is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. Capital: Honolulu Official Language: Hawaiian Other Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese Type of Government: Oligarthical Democracy