From its beginnings, Rhode Island has been distinguished by its support for freedom of conscience and action, started by Roger Williams, who was exiled by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans in 1636, and was the founder of the present state capital, Providence. Williams was followed by other religious exiles who founded Pocasset, now Portsmouth, in 1638 and Newport in 1639.
Rhode Island's rebellious, authority-defying nature was further demonstrated by the burnings of the British revenue cutters Liberty and Gaspee prior to the Revolution, by its early declaration of independence from Great Britain in May 1776, its refusal to participate actively in the War of 1812, and by Dorr's Rebellion of 1842, which protested property requirements for voting.
Rhode Island, smallest of the fifty states, is densely populated and highly industrialized. It is a major center for jewelry manufacturing. Electronics, metal, plastic products, and boat and ship construction are other important industries. Non-manufacturing employment includes research in health, medicine, and the ocean environment. Providence is a wholesale distribution center for New England.
Fishing ports are at Galilee and Newport. Rural areas of the state support small-scale farming, including grapes for local wineries, turf grass, and nursery stock. Tourism generates over a billion dollars a year in revenue.
Newport became famous as the summer capital of high society in the mid-19th century. Touro Synagogue (1763) is the oldest in the U.S. Other points of interest include the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, Samuel Slater's Mill in Pawtucket, the General Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry, and Block Island.
Nickname: The Ocean State
Origin of name: From the Greek Island of Rhodes
10 16st cities (2005 est.): Providence, 176,862; Warwick, 87,233; Cranston, 81,614; Pawtucket, 73,742; East Providence, 49,515; Woonsocket, 44,328; Newport, 25,340; Central Falls, 19,159
Land area: 1,045 sq mi. (2,706 sq km)
Geographic center: In Kent Co., 1 mi. SSW of Compton
Number of counties: 5
Largest county by population and area: Providence, 639,653 (2005); Providence, 413 sq mi.
State forests: 11 (20,900 ac.)
State parks: 14
Residents: Rhode Islander
2005 resident population est.: 1,076,189
2000 resident census population (rank): 1,048,319 (43). Male: 503,635 (48.0%); Female: 544,684 (52.0%). White: 891,191 (85.0%); Black: 46,908 (4.5%); American Indian: 5,121 (0.5%); Asian: 23,665 (2.3%); Other race: 52,616 (5.0%); Two or more races: 28,251 (2.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 90,820 (8.7%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 76.4; 65 and over: 14.5; median age: 36.7.
Capital: Providence
Governor: Don Carcieri, R
Lieut. Governor: Elizabeth H. Roberts, D
Senators: Jack Reed, D (to Jan. 2009); Sheldon Whitehouse, D
Secy. of State: A. Ralph Mollis, D
Atty. General: Patrick Lynch, D
General Treasurer: Frank T. Caprio, D
Entered Union (rank): May 29, 1790 (13)
Present constitution adopted: 1843
Motto: Hope
State Symbols:
Flower: Violet (unofficial) (1968)
Tree: Red Maple (official) (1964)
Bird: Rhode Island Red Hen (official) (1954)
Shell: Quahog (official)
Mineral: Bowenite (1966)
Stone: Cumberlandite (1966)
Colors: Blue, White, and Gold (in state flag)
Song: "Rhode Island" (1946)
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