Rhode Island is the smallest US state in terms of area, part of the New England region and located on the Atlantic Ocean. Rhode Island was one of 13 American colonies that rebelled against England. Initially, the state consisted of two parts: Providensky Plantations (the mainland of the state, the largest city is Providence) and Rhode Island (the island part, the largest city is Newport)
STATE NAME
The name of the state of Rhode Island comes from the Dutch words Roodt Eylandt, which means “red island”.
This is what the Dutch explorer Adrian Block called the lands of the modern state of Rhode Island, apparently because of the red clay soils of the coast. Later, after the territory of Rhode Island became British, its name was anglicized.
GEOGRAPHY
The state of Rhode Island is located in the Northeastern United States and belongs to the states of New England. Rhode Island is the smallest of all US states, its area is only 3,140 km2.
Rhode Island borders the states of Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north and east. The southern border of Rhode Island is formed by the Atlantic Ocean (in the southwest there is a section of the sea border with the state of New York).
Rhode Island is based on the US Eastern Time Zone.
On the territory of Rhode Island, two physiographic regions can be distinguished – the uplands in the northwest and the lowlands in the south and east of the state.
The western part of Rhode Island is a hilly upland, indented by numerous rivers and streams. The hills of Rhode Island are covered with forests; various types of oak, maple, beech, ash, and numerous shrubs grow here.
CLIMATE
Rhode Island has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cool winters, with precipitation fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.
In the largest city and capital of the state, Providence, located in the north of Narragansett Bay, the average temperature in January varies from -6°C to 3°C, and in July – from 18°C to 28°C. In Newport, on Aquidneck Island, the coldest winter month typically ranges from -5°C to 3°C, while the warmest summer month ranges from 18°C to 26°C. The lowest recorded temperature in Rhode Island on record is -32°C and the highest is 40°C.
Located on the coast of Rhode Island, it is quite often hit by the elements, mainly in winter, when strong winds from the ocean bring blizzards and snow storms.
ECONOMY
The economy of the state of Rhode Island is quite diverse; finance and insurance, industry, education, medicine, services, agriculture, tourism and other industries are well developed here.
Rhode Island has a well-developed industry, producing textiles, metal, plastic and rubber products, and electrical equipment. Traditionally, the state is famous for the production of jewelry and silverware.
Several major corporations are headquartered in Rhode Island, including Textron (of which the well-known aviation companies Bell and Cessna are divisions), Hasbro, one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, the famous manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies (and other electronic devices) APC, and other.
Several large financial companies operate in the Ocean State, including one of the largest US banks Citizens Financial Group and the well-known insurance company FM Global.
TOURISM
Tourism has become increasingly important to Rhode Island’s economy in recent decades. The state, which in the 19th century was the “summer capital” of high society in New England, today again attracts many vacationers. For tourists (most of whom come to rest from the megacities of New York and Boston), both the natural features of Rhode Island, primarily the beaches of its coast, and the historical sights of the “Ocean State” are interesting.
Rhode Island hosts a variety of entertainment events each year, such as the hugely popular Newport Classical, Jazz and Folk Festivals, the Floating Lights Festival in Providence, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and others. The state is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame, the oldest topiary garden in the United States, the Naval Museum and other attractions. Rhode Island casinos also attract tourists (Newport Grand in Newport and Twin River in Lincoln), where gamblers can bet on the results of horse racing or dog racing, and also try their luck on slot machines.
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