Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest
state in the United States.
Rhode Island (pronounced "Roe
DIE-lin" by natives) is part of
the New England region, and was
one of the thirteen colonies            State nickname: Ocean State
that revolted against British
rule in the American Revolution.
Although it is the smalles state
in area in the U.S., it has the
longest name. The official name
of the state is "Rhode Island    Capital               Providence
and Providence Plantations",     Largest City          Providence
"Providence Plantations"
referring to the mainland        Area                  Ranked 50th
portion of the state wich was    Ê- Total              4,005 km2
originally all part of the town  Ê- Land               2,709 km2
of Providence and "Rhode Island" Ê- Water              1,296 km2
being the island in Narragansett Ê- % water            32.4%

Bay on which Newport is located. Population            Ranked 43rd
                                 Ê- Total (2000)       1,048,319
USS Rhode Island was named in    Ê- Density            262/km2
honor of this state.
                                 Admittance into
                                 Union
                                 Ê- Order              13th
                                 Ê- Date               May 29, 1790
                                 Time zone             Eastern: UTC-5/-4
                                 Latitude              41¡18'N to 42¡1'N
                                 Longitude             71¡8'W to 71¡53'W
                                 Width                 50 km
                                 Length                65 km
                                 Elevation             Ê
                                 Ê -Highest            247 meters
                                 Ê -Mean               60 meters
                                 Ê -Lowest             0 meters
                                 ISO 3166-2:           US-RI
History

Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams as a place of religious freedom
for Baptist settlers. Historically, the land of Rhode Island is unique
because it was purchased twice, once from the King of England, and once from
the Native American tribes which lived on the land.

On May 18, 1652 Rhode Island passed the first law in North America making
slavery illegal.

Charles II of England granted John Clarke a Royal Charter on July 8, 1663 to
Rhode Island.

Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the United States Constitution
(May 29, 1790) and did so only under the threat of being declared a foreign
nation and having its exports taxed. Until 1842, Rhode Island was still
governed under its colonial charter, which had very restrictive property
qualifications for voting, excluding the bulk of the ever-growing urban
population. That year Thomas Dorr drafted a liberal constitution which was
passed by popular referendum but which was opposed by the sitting governor
Samuel Ward King, leading to the Dorr Rebellion and the adoption of the
constitution.

Law and Government

The capital of Rhode Island is Providence and its current governor is Donald
Carcieri (Republican). Its two U.S. senators are Jack Reed (Democrat) and
Lincoln Chafee (Republican). List of Rhode Island Governors.

Geography

Rhode Island is bordered on the north and east by Massachusetts, on the west
by Connecticut, and on the south by Rhode Island Sound and the North
Atlantic Ocean. Narragansett Bay is a major feature of the state's
topography. Block Island lies off the southern coast.

Economy

Rhode Island's 1999 total gross state product was $33 billion, placing it
45th in the nation. Its 2000 Per Capita Personal Income was $29,685, 16th in
the nation. Rhode Island's agricultural outputs are nursery stock,
vegetables, dairy products, and eggs. Its industrial outputs are fashion
jewelry, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, machinery,
shipbuilding and boatbuilding, and tourism.

Demographics

According to the 2000 census, its population was 1,048,319.

Important Cities and Towns

    * Providence                            * Woonsocket
    * Warwick                               * Coventry
    * Cranston                              * North Providence
    * Pawtucket                             * Cumberland
    * East Providence                       * West Warwick
    * For a more exhaustive list,
      see List of cities in Rhode Island

Education

Smithfield, Rhode Island is home of Bryant College, a prestigious business
school; Providence, the oldest and largest city in the state, is the home of
Providence College and Brown University.

Rhode Island has several state colleges and universities, the University of
Rhode Island, located in Kingston in the southern part of the state and
Rhode Island College in North Providence.

Colleges and Universities

    * Brown University                     * Providence College
    * Bryant College                       * Rhode Island College
    * Johnson & Wales University           * Rhode Island School of Design
    * Naval War College                    * Roger Williams University
    * New England Institute of             * Salve Regina University
      Technology                           * University of Rhode Island

Arts

   * Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
   * WaterFire Providence
   * Convergence art festival
   * First Night Providence
   * Trinity Theater

Professional Sports Teams

   * Pawtucket Red Sox, AAA (minor league baseball) affiliate of the Boston
     Red Sox
   * Providence Bruins, AHL (minor league hockey) affiliate of the Boston
     Bruins

Miscellaneous Information

     Area: 1,545 sq. miles
     Population: 1,048,319 (2000)
     Capital: Providence
     Counties: 5 (see: List of Rhode Island counties)
     Bird: Rhode Island Red
     Flower: Violet
     Tree: Red Maple
     Nicknames: The Ocean State, Little Rhody

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