Outline of Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. It covers only 1,213 square miles (3,142 square kilometers), and is a little more than half the size of Delaware, the second smallest state. In spite of its size, Rhode Island is an important industrial state. It ranks high among the states in the production of jewelry.
Rhode Island lies on beautiful Narragansett Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. The bay makes the state a leading vacationland. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Rhode Island each summer to enjoy boating, fishing, and other water sports. Naval installations along Narragansett Bay include the Newport Naval Underwater Systems Center and the Naval War College.
Narragansett Bay almost cuts Rhode Island in two. The bay extends 28 miles (45 kilometers) inland from southern Rhode Island. The state has 36 islands, most of which are in the bay. Aquidneck, the largest island, was officially named Rhode Island in 1644. Towns on the mainland were called Providence Plantations. As a result, Rhode Island's official name is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Thus, the smallest state has the longest official name.
Samuel Slater, an English machinist who settled in Rhode Island, helped establish the American textile industry. In the late 1700's, he built the country's first cotton spinning machines driven by water power. Nehemiah and Seril Dodge, Rhode Island brothers, started the jewelry industry in America. Rhode Islanders also were prominent in the boatbuilding, fishing, shipping, and whaling industries.
The people of Rhode Island have played important parts in the history and industrial development of the United States. Roger Williams, who founded Providence in 1636, worked for religious and political freedom. Under his leadership, Rhode Islanders gained fame for their love of personal liberty. In 1776, Rhode Island became the first of the 13 original colonies to formally declare independence from the United Kingdom. But it was the last of these colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Rhode Island delayed ratification for three years-until 1790-when the Bill of Rights was ready to be added to the Constitution.
Rhode Island has eight cities. The state's other 31 communities are called towns. The eight cities, in order of size, are Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Newport, and Central Falls. About a sixth of Rhode Island's people live in the city of Providence. The Providence-Fall River (Massachusetts)-Warwick metropolitan statistical area extends into Massachusetts. About nine-tenths of the state's people live in this metropolitan area.
Thousands of vacationers visit the coastal resorts of Rhode Island each year. The resorts in the state offer swimming, boating, fishing, and beautiful scenery. Rhode Island's leading resort centers include Block Island, Narragansett, Newport, and Watch Hill. In addition, tourists can visit the many historic sites, colonial buildings, and old churches in Rhode Island. Many of Rhode Island's most popular annual events include boat races, fishing contests, and tennis tournaments. The annual Newport Music Festival is held in July. This event features internationally known classical artists performing in Newport mansion settings.
Rhode Island's official nickname is The Ocean State. But because of its size, the state has traditionally been called Little Rhody. Providence is the capital and largest city of Rhode Island.
