Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. Rhode Island (pronounced "Roe Die-land" by natives) is part of the New England region, and was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution.

USS Rhode Island was named in honor of this state.

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.

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. Rhode Island was the site of the Dorr Rebellion[?] of 1842 in which Thomas Dorr[?] drafted a liberal constitution which was passed by popular referendum but which was opposed by the sitting governor Samuel Ward King[?].

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).

Geography See: List of Rhode Island counties

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 45^th in the nation. Its 2000 Per Capita Personal Income was $29,685, 16^th 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

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. The less-prestigious state university, the University of Rhode Island[?], is located in Kingston in the southern part of the state. Other important cities are Newport, Woonsocket and Pawtucket.

Colleges and Universities

Arts

• Rhode Island School of Design[?] (RISD)
• WaterFire Providence
• Convergence art festival[?]
• First Night Providence[?]
• Trinity Theater[?]

Professional Sports Teams

• Pawtucket Red Sox[?], minor league baseball
• Bridgeport Barrage, Major League Lacrosse

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

External Links

• http://www.state.ri.us