Rhode Island

 

Rhode Island Economy

AGRICULTURE: apples, chickens, eggs,
potatoes.

MINING: sand, stone.

MANUFACTURING: electronics, jewelry,
machinery, metal, textiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rhode Island Geography

Total Area: 1,214 sq. miles
Land area: 1,034 sq. miles
Water Area: 939 sq. miles
Geographic Center: Centre
2.5 mi. SW of Bellefonte
Highest Point:

Jerimoth Hill, which stands at 812 feet

Lowest Point: Atlantc Ocean
(sea level)
Highest Recorded Temp.:104°F (40°C) on August 2, 1975
Lowest Recorded Temp.: –42˚ F (1/5/1904)

Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state, covers 1,214 square miles, with 1,034 square miles of land and 180 square miles of water, making it about 15% water. Located in the New England region, it is bordered by Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, with Narragansett Bay cutting deeply into the state, creating a rugged coastline with over 400 miles of shoreline. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling hills, with Jerimoth Hill (812 feet) as the highest point. Rhode Island’s geography is defined by coastal lowlands, salt marshes, and islands, including Aquidneck Island, Block Island, and Conanicut Island, which contribute to its maritime economy and culture.

 

 

 

 

 

Cities

Providence, 179,335
Warwick, 80,847
Cranston, 81,274
Pawtucket, 71,148
East Providence, 47,037
Woonsocket, 41,186
Newport, 24,672
Central Falls, 19,376

Rhode Island History

1524 Verrazano explored Narragansett Bay.
1636 Roger Williams seeking religious freedom left the Massachusetts Bay
Colony to found a new settlement- Rhode Island.
1638 Ann Hutchinson also seeking freedom moved to Aquidneck Island.
1644 Aquidneck was changed to Rhode Island and received a royal charter.
1663 Its charter insured religious freedom.
1723 Twenty-six pirates were executed at Newport.
1772 The British revenue cutter Gaspee was burned by American colonists.
1778 The British seized Newport.
1790 Rhode Island is the last state of the original 13 to ratify the constitution.
1835 The first train traveled between Boston and Providence.

1866 – The first African American regiment in U.S. history, the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, was formed.

1938 – The Great New England Hurricane devastated Rhode Island, causing

2003 – The Station Nightclub Fire in West Warwick killed 100 people.

severe flooding and over 250 deaths in the state.

 

 

 

 

Famous People

Anne Hutchinson
Matthew C. Perry
Oliver Hazard Perry
Anthony Quinn
Roger Williams

 

Rhode Island National Sites

1) Roger Williams National Memorial
This 4.5 acre memorial is located in downtown Providence. It is located on the spot were Roger Williams established the colony of Rhode Island

2) Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
This synagogue which was dedicated in 1763 and was the first synagogue constructed in the United States.