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Rhode Island Facts

Rhode Island Facts
The State of Rhode Island is located in the New England region of the U.S. It shares state borders with Massachusetts and Connecticut and a water border with New York's Long Island. Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 U.S. states with 1,214 square miles. It is the 43rd most populated state with approximately 1,050,292 residents and it is the 2nd most densely populated U.S. state. Rhode Island is believed to have been discovered in 1524, and Providence was founded in 1636 by a clergyman who was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans. The first of the original Thirteen Colonies to declare its independence from the British was Rhode Island, in 1776. In 1790, Rhode Island became the 13th U.S. state when it joined the Union.
Interesting Rhode Island Facts:
Rhode Island's official name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
There are two theories about the origin of Rhode Island's name. One is that a Dutch explorer named it 'Rood Eylandt' which means Red Island. Another theory is that it was named after the Isle of Rhodes in the Mediterranean Sea.
Rhode Island's state nickname is 'The Ocean State'.
The state motto for Rhode Island is 'Hope'.
Rhode Island's state song is 'Rhode Island, It's for me', written in 1996.
Rhode Island's state flag was officially adopted in 1897.
Residents of Rhode Island are referred to as Rhode Islanders.
Rhode Island's capital city and largest city is Providence.
The state bird for Rhode Island is the Rhode Island Red, a type of chicken.
Rhode Island's state flower is the violet and the state tree is the red maple.
Rhode Island's state shell is the quahog.
Sakonnet River is Rhode Island's major river.
Scituate Reservoir is Rhode Island's major lake. The state also borders Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
Although It is called an island, Rhode Island is actually part of the mainland United States.
Major industry in Rhode Island includes jewelry manufacturing, electronics, plastic products, ship construction and health and medicine.
Major agriculture in Rhode Island includes small scale farming for grapes, nursery stock and turf grass.
Tourism is a major contributor to Rhode Island's economy.
Rhode Island was the first of the Thirteen Colonies to declare its independence from the British but the last of the Thirteen Colonies to become a U.S. state.
Rhode Island never did endorse the Prohibition (18th) Amendment.
The first discount department store in the United States was Ann and Hope. It was opened in Rhode Island.
The concept and the principles contained in the First Amendment, including the freedom of speech, religion, and public assembly, were originated by Roger Williams.
The oldest, still operating tavern in the U.S. is the White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island. It first opened in 1673.
The first street in the U.S. to use gas powered streetlights was Newport, Rhode Island.
The Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Rhode Island.
The song 'I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy' was written by George Cohan of Providence, Rhode Island in 1878.


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