4 RHODE ISLAND INTRODUCTION You may need to squint to see Rhode Island on a map but it is not difficult to see that this state is brimming with industry history and culture Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States covering only 1,213 square miles In fact Rhode Island could fit into the state of Texas 200 times Although Rhode Island is small in size it is nevertheless an important industrial state Rhode Island is one of the New England states along with Maine New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts and Connecticut It is graced by a beautiful shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean When the state’s bays and islands are included the coastline measures more than 400 miles With this in mind it should come as no surprise that the state’s official nickname is the Ocean State The Atlantic Ocean the second largest ocean in the world has greatly influenced the state’s economy and its people The coast is the most important commercial area lending itself to a vibrant fishing industry And the call of the coast has attracted many visitors making tourism yet another important economic activity in the state Much of Rhode Island’s coastline is rocky but the state also has more than 100 miles of beautiful sandy beaches The official name of the state is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Providence is the capital of Rhode Island Rhode Island entered the Union on May 29 1790 The state flag has a ship’s anchor and a circle of 13 stars representing the original 13 states The state motto Hope is displayed on a blue ribbon beneath the anchor The Jamestown Windmill on Conanicut Island is more than 200 years old It has been restored to its original condition
INTRODUCTION 5 Rhode Island shares a border with two other states Connecticut lies to the west and Massachusetts is to the north and east Rhode Island’s southwest corner shares a water border with New York The rest of the state borders the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound Travelers can get to Rhode Island by land sea or air Interstate Highways 95 and 295 are the main roadways from Connecticut and Massachusetts Numerous train lines serve the state including Amtrak Conrail for passenger travel and the Providence and Worcester Railroad lines for freight transport Rhode Island’s main airport is T F Green International Airport in Warwick Conveniently located within a short drive of Boston Cape Cod Newport and Providence this airport serves many New England travelers Ferries provide transportation links between the mainland and the various islands in Narragansett Bay including the popular Block Island Rhode Island Location Map Capital Providence Interstate highways Scale 0 0 5 8 10 16 Mi Km Population 1,048,319 Size 1,213 square miles Highest peak Jerimoth Hill 812 feet Rhode Island’s land area includes a number of islands even one called Rhode Island It is the largest island in Narragansett Bay Native Americans called this island Aquidneck Rhode Island’s long coastline makes it easily accessible by boat or ferry Narragansett Bay is a welcome harbor for ocean travelers Providence and Newport are the most popular ports for oceangoers St Mary’s Rhode Island’s oldest Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1828 The church was the site of the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John F Kennedy in 1953
Rhode Island is known for its independent nature The state was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams after he was banished from a colony in Plymouth Mass for his religious views Williams and others established a settlement nearby and called it Providence They welcomed people whose religious beliefs were not tolerated by the other colonies During the American Revolution Rhode Island was the first state to declare itself independent of Great Britain Rhode Island displayed its independent spirit again after the Revolution by being the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the U S Constitution Before signing Rhode Island demanded the addition of the Bill of Rights which guarantees individual liberties Rhode Island’s boundaries were not decided for many years after the American Revolution This was because of disputes with both Connecticut and Massachusetts The western boundary with Connecticut was not established until 1887 The northern and eastern boundaries with Massachusetts were finally settled in 1883 and 1899 respectively 6 RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island’s Federal Blues is a militia founded in 1798 The group participates in parades and historical reenactments Providence means the care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the Earth There are more than 100 beaches along Narragansett Bay the southern coast and Block Island Rhode Island has traditionally been called Little Rhody Some coniferous trees including spruce fir and pine trees are grown on tree farms in Rhode Island The town of Little Compton has a cemetery dating back to the American Revolution
INTRODUCTION 7 Rhode Island prospered throughout the 1800s and attracted some of the country’s wealthiest citizens Many went to the state to take part in the commercial opportunities of Narragansett Bay Today the economy enjoys modest growth based on wholesale and retail sales real estate tourism and to a lesser extent the manufacture of silverware jewelry and electronic products Agriculture and fishing remain strong and valued traditional industries in Rhode Island Still at the turn of the 21st century declines in both fishing and agriculture prompted the government to plan programs to protect farms and orchards coastal environments and fish stocks The port of Galilee is home to a large oceangoing fishing fleet Diesel-powered fishing trawlers catch flounder haddock and cod The state song is Rhode Island It’s for Me by Charlie Hall and Maria Day Rhode Island’s greatest natural resource is Narragansett Bay A large natural inlet that runs almost the length of the state’s coastline the bay has made commercial activity easier for Rhode Islanders The world’s largest bug is a 58-foot blue termite sculpture on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence An emerging industry in Rhode Island is closely tied to the state’s coastal location The state is making a name for itself in the field of oceanographic research The research program in oceanography at the University of Rhode Island is recognized as one of the best in the nation There are many fresh-produce stands in Rhode Island
