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Capital:
Providence
Governor: Lincoln C. Almond, R (to Jan. 2003)
Lieut.
Governor: Charles J. Fogarty, D (to Jan. 2003)
Senators: Jack Reed, D (to Jan. 2003); Lincoln Chafee, R (to
Jan. 2007)
Secy.
of State: Jim Langevin, D (to Jan. 2003)
Atty.
General: Sheldon Whitehouse, D (to Jan. 2003)
General
Treasurer: Paul J. Tavares, D (to Jan. 2003)
Entered
Union (rank): May 29, 1790 (13)
Present
constitution adopted: 1843
Motto:
Hope
State Symbols:
|
flower
|
violet (unofficial) (1968) |
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tree
|
red maple (official) (1964) |
|
bird
|
Rhode Island red hen (official) (1954) |
|
shell
|
quahog (official) |
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mineral
|
bowenite (1966) |
|
stone
|
cumberlandite (1966) |
|
colors
|
blue, white, and gold (in state flag) |
|
song
|
"Rhode Island" (1946) |
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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 Rhode
10 largest cities (1999 est.):
Providence, 149,887; Warwick, 83,994; Cranston, 75,009;
Pawtucket, 67,662; East Providence, 47,835; Woonsocket, 41,409;
Newport, 24,232; Central Falls, 16,390
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, 574,108 (1999 est.); Providence, 413 sq mi.
State forests: 11 (20,900 ac.)
State parks: 14
Residents: Rhode Islander
1999 resident population est.:
990,819
1990 resident census population (rank):
1,003,464 (43). Male:
481,496; Female: 521,968.
White: 917,375 (91.4%);
Black: 38,861 (3.9%);
American Indian: 4,071
(0.4%); Asian: 18,325
(1.8%); Other race: 24,832
(2.5%); Hispanic: 45,752
(4.6%). 1990 percent population under
18: 22.5; 65 and over:
15.0; median age:
33.8. |
