Introduction to Geography of Rhode Island
Rhode Island, one of the New England states of the United States. It is bounded by Massachusetts, the Atlantic Ocean, and Connecticut. With an area of 1,545 square miles (4,002 km2), including 500 square miles (1,295 km2) of inland water, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union; it is only 59 per cent the size of Delaware, the next smallest state. Rhode Island's greatest length (north-south) is about 48 miles (77 km); its greatest width, about 39 miles (63 km).
Rhode Island's state bird is the Rhode Island Red hen.Physical Geography
Rhode Island is one of the New England states that lie in the northeastern United States.LandAs in the rest of New England, the land forms have been modified by glaciers. The state divides into two main regions: the New England Upland; and the Coastal Lowland, which is known locally as Narragansett Basin.
The New England Upland is a hilly, forested, lake-studded region blanketing the western two-thirds of the state. Most of the uplands are at an elevation of 200 to 600 feet (60 to 180 m). Jerimoth Hill, in the northwest, is the highest point in Rhode Island—812 feet (247 m) above sea level.
The Coastal Lowland lies along the Atlantic Coast partially surrounding Narragansett Bay, in the eastern third of the state. The region is marked by sandy beaches, swamps, marshes, and ponds along the coast and low rounded hills of less than 200 feet (60 m) in elevation farther inland.
Interesting facts about Rhode IslandThe first Quonset hut was built in 1941 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station near Davisville. United States troops used the huts during World War II for barracks, storage rooms, medical facilities, and many other purposes. The Quonset hut is a prefabricated sheet-metal structure in the shape of a half cylinder with the flat side forming the floor. Most huts were built about 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 meters) long and 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) high. They were designed for easy shipment, assembly, and disassembly.The Rhode Island Red is the chicken that made the raising of poultry a major industry in the United States. The breed was developed in 1854 on a farm in Little Compton. It became famous for its delicious meat and for the outstanding quality and quantity of its eggs.The first international polo series was played in Newport in 1886. A team from the United States challenged a team from England to win two games out of three for a trophy called the Westchester Cup. England won the trophy.The first free republic in the New World was Rhode Island. The Rhode Island General Assembly formally declared the colony's independence from Britain on May 4, 1776. This action was enthusiastically supported by the other 12 colonies exactly two months later.The oldest Jewish synagogue still standing in the United States is located in Newport. It was built in 1763, and the congregation dates back to 1658.Rhode Island's state tree is the red maple.WaterNarragansett Bay with its many arms, such as East Passage, Sakonnet River, and Mount Hope Bay, cuts into the lowland for a distance of about 28 miles (45 km). Width of the bay varies from 3 to 12 miles (5-19 km). Among the many islands in the bay the largest are Conanicut, Prudence, and Rhode Island, for which the state is named. Block Island lies off the south coast in the Atlantic Ocean. Excluding rivers that are only arms of Narragansett Bay, such as the Providence and the Seekonk, the largest rivers are the Blackstone, Pawtuxet, and Pawcatuck.
Water is probably Rhode Island's chief natural resource. The streams supply some power for industry and, in addition, they provide fresh water for homes and many industries. Narragansett Bay has long been important as a gateway to the commerce of the Atlantic Ocean. The bay also provides excellent resort, recreational, and fishing areas.
ClimateRhode Island's state flower is the violet.The climate, marked by warm summers and cold winters, is the most moderate in New England. Throughout parts of the state, especially the coastal area, the climate is tempered by the ocean. The average temperature for the state is about 71° F. (22° C.) in July, 28° F. (-2° C.) in January, and 49° F. (9° C.) for the year. Precipitation, which is evenly distributed over the year, ranges from about 40 inches (1,020 mm) annually along the coast to 40 inches (1,270 mm) in the uplands. The annual snowfall ranges from about 20 inches (510 mm) along the coast to 40 to 55 inches (1,020-1,400 mm) in the west.
The weather is changeable and often stormy. Rhode Island lies in the path followed by many cyclonic storms. At times the state is struck by northeasters and hurricanes.
Economy
Rhode Island has long been a manufacturing state. Both by value and by employment, manufacturing surpasses any other single economic activity. However, nonmanufacturing activities, including wholesale and retail trade, service industries, and government, together provide jobs for a greater number of workers and account for a greater share of the state's economy.
The Rhode Island quarter features a sailboat on the waters of the state’s Narragansett Bay. Narragansett Bay is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean.ManufacturingRoughly 20 per cent of the workers are engaged in manufacturing. The making of jewelry and silverware is the leading activity. Also important is the manufacturing of machinery, textiles, primary and fabricated metal products, instruments, chemicals, and electrical equipment.
AgricultureBecause of its small size and lack of good farmland, Rhode Island is one of the nation's least agriculturally productive states. Farms occupy only about 9 per cent of the land and are generally small, averaging about 90 acres (36 hectares). Greenhouse and nursery products, dairy products, eggs, and potatoes are the leading farm products in terms of cash receipts. Most of the farm production is sold in nearby urban areas for local use.
FishingMany kinds of edible fish and shellfish are caught in the Atlantic by Rhode Island fishermen. Flounders, lobsters, and cod are, by total value, the chief catches. Point Judith is the state's leading fishing port.
TransportationRhode Island is densely settled and has a well-developed transportation system. Interstate 95 crosses the state northeast-southwest and provides the main highway route. Highway bridges connect the islands of Conanicut and Rhode Island to the mainland; ferries link Block and Prudent islands with the mainland. Amtrak and several freight railways operate in the state.
Trunk and regional airlines provide service to and from Rhode Island, mainly through T. F. Green Airport south of Providence. Providence has one of New England's busiest seaports.
The People
The population of Rhode Island in 2000 was 1,048,319—an increase of 44,855, or 4.5 per cent, since 1990. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state, with 1,003.2 persons per square mile (387.4 per km2)—nearly 14 times the density of the United States as a whole. Whites made up 85 per cent of the population and blacks, 4.5 per cent. People of Hispanic origin accounted for 8.7 per cent of the population.
Annual events in Rhode IslandJanuary-JuneNew Year's Day Plunge swimming events in Newport, Wickford, and Jamestown (January); Providence Boat Show (January); Newport Winter Festival (February); Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show in Providence (February); Irish Heritage Month in Newport (March); May Breakfasts, statewide (May); Festival of Historic Houses in Providence (June); Gaspee Days in Warwick (May-June); Sunset Music Festival in Newport (June-July).July-AugustBristol Fourth of July Parade (July 4); Wickford Art Festival (July); Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport (July); Newport Music Festival (July); Black Ships Festival in Newport (July); Charlestown Chamber Seafood Festival (August); JVC Jazz Festival in Newport (August).September-DecemberDragon Boat Races in Pawtucket (September); Providence Waterfront Festival (September); Scituate Art Festival (October); Autumnfest in Woonsocket (October); Christmas at the Newport Mansions (December).Education
The state board of education is appointed by the governor. The board appoints the commissioner of education, who heads the state department of education. School attendance is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16.
The first public school was established at Newport in 1640. One of the first city school superintendents in the nation was appointed at Providence in 1838.
Government
Rhode Island's State House is in Providence, the capital since 1900.Rhode Island is governed under a constitution adopted in 1842. The General Assembly is composed of the Senate (50 members) and the House of Representatives (100 members). It meets annually at Providence. Members of both houses are elected for two years.
The executive officers are the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer. All are elected for two-year terms. Judicial powers are vested in a supreme court, superior courts, and district courts. Justices of the supreme court are elected by the General Assembly, while superior and district court justices are appointed by the governor.
Rhode Island is divided into five counties, but they are administrative units and have no governmental functions. The chief units of local government are the cities and towns, which are contiguous so as to include the entire state. Rhode Island sends two senators and two representatives to Congress.