RHODE ISLAND THE OCEAN STATE Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union but only when measured in square miles It is big in many other ways It is a densely populated powerhouse with a good economy and plenty of natural beauty Rhode Island has much to offer visitors and residents alike One of the original 13 colonies Rhode Island is part of New England It lies along the East Coast of the United States Its independent minded people work hard but they also know how to have fun Some of their favorite things to do include fishing boating or swimming along the state's many beaches and waterways Rhode Island has nearly 400 miles 644 km of coastline State residents are never more than a 30 minute drive from the Atlantic Ocean or the sparkling waters of Narragansett Bay That is why Rhode Island is called The Ocean State A statue of Roger Williams overlooks Providence Rhode Island Williams founded the city in 1636 hoping to create a place with religious and political freedom RHODE ISLAND
Castle Hill Lighthouse alds ship traffic bound for Newport or Providence Rhode Island vla the East Passage of Narragansett bay
RHODE ISLAND QUICK FACTS Name Origin uncertain Dutch explorer Adriaen Block called Aquidneck Island where the first colony was established Roodt Eylandt Red Island perhaps because of the color of its clay soil Another explorer Giovanni de Verrazzano said it reminded him of the Greek island of Rhodes State Capital Providence population 179 207 Date of Statehood May 29 1790 13th state Population 1 056 298 43d most populous state Area Total Land and Water 1 545 square miles 4 002 sq km smallest state Largest City Providence population 179 207 Nickname The Ocean State Motto Hope State Bird Rhode Island Red Chicken RHODE ISLAND
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower Violet State Rock Cumberlandite Vlolet State Tree Red Maple State Song Rhode Island's It For Me Highest Point Jerimoth Hill 812 feet 247 m Cumberlandite Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean 0 feet 0 m Average July High Temperature 81°F 27°C Record High Temperature 104°F 40°C in Providence on August 2 1975 Red Maple Average January Low Temperature 20°F 7°C Record Low Temperature 28°F 33°C in Wood River Junction on January 11 1942 Jerlmoth HD Average Annual Precipitation 48 inches 122 cm Atlantic Oceans Number of U S Senators 2 ireetings from Number of U S Representatives 2 ISLAND U S Postal Service Abbreviation RI QUICK FACTS
