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Facts
Famous Natives
Flag
Gov
History
Land
Landforms
Lat/Long
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Time
Travel Info
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Description
Purchased from the Narragansett Indians by religious exiles from Massachusetts, their first permanent settlement was built in Providence in 1636.
During colonial times, large shipping fleets - sailing from Newport - traded goods for African slaves. They sold their cargo in the West Indies for molasses, sugar, wine, and more.
Eventually the tariffs and restrictive rules levied upon the colonies by England reached a boiling point, and Rhode Island was the first to declare independence.
It's the smallest U.S. State (in land size), but played a major role in the building of America, as the textile industry began here with the invention of the water-powered spinning machine. Huge factories produced the fabric, mill towns developed, and great wealth came to Rhode Island.
In addition, it was the country's manufacturing hub for files, machine tools, precious-metal industries, rubber goods, steam engines, and much more.
Closely associated with the sea, it's a favorite summer vacation area for boaters, fisherman and nautical history buffs.
The Ocean State is famed for Newport's magnificent mansions, yachting venues, jewelry and textile manufacturing, and most importantly... for its vital role in colonial history, America's industrial revolution, and the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
You can learn more about Rhode Island here!
Facts and Figures
Statehood May 29, 1790 (13th)
Capital Providence
Currency U.S. Dollar
(conversion rates) here
Rhode Island Quarter (new) here
Language English (official)
Largest Cities (by population) Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket (all cities here)
Lat/Long 41º 82' N, 71º 42' W
Origin of Name Dutch explorer Adrian Block named it "Roodt Eylandt" meaning "red island" in reference to the red clay that lined the shore.
Population 1,069,725
(43rd)
Population Details (and more)
here
Statewide Business (facts & figures)
here
Flag and Symbols Animal Moose
Bird Rhode Island Red
Flag here
Flower Violet
Fish Striped Bass
Mineral Bowenite
Mottos "Hope"
Nickname "The Ocean State"
Song "Rhode Island"
State Seal here
Tree Red Maple
Land Statistics Area 1,545 sq miles
(50th)
(Land) 1,045 sq. miles (Water) 500 sq. miles Bordering States (2) Connecticut and Massachusetts
Number of Counties (5) map here Largest County (by population) Providence, 621.602
Highest Point Jerimoth Hill, 812 ft.
Lowest Point Sea Level, Atlantic Ocean
Length/Width 40 miles/30 miles
Shoreline 384 miles
Mean Elevation 200 ft.
Geographic Center in Kent
LANDFORMS
Narragansett Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, is Rhode Island's most distinctive feature. It contains three major islands.
About 12 miles south of the mainland, isolated Block Island is known for its windswept land and rugged bluffs.
The rolling hills (or upland area) of the west and northwest include Jerimoth Hill, the state's highest point, at only 812 ft. above sea level.
Significant rivers include the Pawcatuck, Pawtuxet and Wood. The Scituate Reservoir is the largest inland body of water.
For a closer look at the topography of Rhode Island, view this map
Landforms of America here
Landforms of North America here
Rivers of North America here
Rhode Island State Parks here
Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush
Rhode Island Government web site
Rhode Island General Assembly web site
Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" Nelson Wilmarth Aldich politician Zachariah Allen inventor Nicholas Brown manufacturer William Ellery Channing clergyman George M. Cohen composer George William Curtis author Thomas Wilsom Dorr political reformer Nelson Eddy singer, actor Maude Read Farnum the state's first female banker Charles Gorham silversmith Robert Gray explorer Spalding Gray author Nathanael Greene revolutionary war general, hero Ruth Hussey actress Wilbur John religious leader Van Johnson actor Galway Kinnell poet Oliver LaFarge author Napoleon "Larry" Lajoie baseball player Irvine R. Levine news correspondent H. P. Lovecraft author John McLaughlin broadcaster Dana Munro educator Mathew C. Perry naval officer Oliver H. Perry naval officer Anthony Quinn actor Samuel Slater inventor Gilbert Charles Stuart artist Sarah H. Wittman poet Roger Williams founder of rhode island Leonard Woodcock labor union official Is someone missing?
Submit your famous person here!
USA States
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Maps
Rhode Island County Map
here
Rhode Island Outline Map here
Rhode Island Maps Univ. of Texas here
Rhode Island Highway Map here
Rhode Island Historic Map here
Rhode Island Precipitation Map here
Rhode Island Satellite Map here
Rhode Island Topographic Relief Map here
Newport Harbor Map here
Newport Map here
U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here
U.S. MAPS (large selection) here
USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here
CUSTOM USA MAPS created here
Block Island Lighthouse Recommended Links Rhode Island Ancestry/Genealogy web site
Rhode Island Colleges & Universities here
Rhode Island Civil War History web site
Rhode Island Historical Society web site
NEWSPAPERS
Providence Journal web site
Newport Daily News web site
State of Rhode Island web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Time, Weather and more Area Code (401)
Time in Rhode Island
here
Climate
Rhode Island has a four-season climate, but weather here is erratic, and quick to change.
Narragansett Bay and all coastal areas are generally cooler in summer and warmer in winter - when compared with the inland regions. Statewide, winter is chilly and wet, with some snow.
Overall, January is the coldest month, with average high temperatures near 30 degrees.
July and August are the warmest months, with average high temperatures in the low 80s. Hotter conditions are common inland.
Annual precipitation averages near 45 inches, with slightly higher amounts in the rolling hills, to the west of Narragansett Bay.
For Rhode Island precipitation levels view this map
Current Weather Conditions in:
Timeline of History (1524) Giovanni de Verrazano explores Narragansett Bay and coastal areas (1614) Dutch explorer Adriaen Block discovers his namesake island (1636) Roger Williams founds Providence, on a grant of land from local Indians (1639) The nation's first Baptist church is founded (1652) Colony is plagued by local Indian wars (1663) Colony is granted a royal charter from the King of England (1676) King Philip, Wampanoag Indian chief, is executed (1772) Locals burn the British sloop, Gaspee - all in protest of unfair British tax laws (1776) The Rhode Island colony declares its independence (1778) Revolutionary War's Battle of Rhode Island is the heaviest fighting within the state (1790) Rhode Island becomes the 13th state (1790) Samuel Slater invents the water-powered spinning machine, and America's textile industry is born in Rhode Island (1824) Woman weavers of Pawtucket strike, believed to be the first strike by women in the United States (1842) Dorr's Rebellion leads to reform in the state's constitution (1876) President Rutherford B. Hayes tests the newly invented telephone. A short 8 mile call from Rocky Point to Providence (1877) Rhode Island flag established (1895) The Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion (the Breakers), is completed (1930) America's Cup yacht race is held off of Newport (1936) State celebrates its 300th anniversary (1938) Hurricane strikes the state and damage is severe (1969) Newport Bridge (linking Jamestown and Newport) opens (1976) Tall ships arrive in Newport, as the state participates in the nation's 200-hundred-year celebration Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) The Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay coastline, Block Island, coastal lighthouses, Newport historic buildings and mansions, and much, much more
Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz
Times to Travel With numerous historical sites and points-of-interest, stunning coastal scenery and the charm of the Newport area, Rhode Island is an exciting family vacation destination, especially spring, summer and fall.
Rhode Island Accommodations
For hotels all around the State of Rhode Island here!
Block Island here
the Breakers web site
Newport Mansions here
Newport Visitor Site here
Rhode Island Fishing here
Rhode Island Lighthouses here
Newport Regata Print Rhode Island Tourism here
Rhode Island Tourism 800.556.2484
Roadside America An online guide to offbeat attractions, and more here
U.S. National Park Service web site
Visas United States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa.
There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Currently, 26 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.
For the latest information, including required documentation, any interested party should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
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