Rhode Island, U.S. state in New England, United States
Rhode Island is a compact state along the Atlantic coast in New England, divided into five counties with Providence serving as the capital and featuring over 640 kilometers of tidal shoreline. The landscape shifts between sandy beaches, rocky coves, inland forests, and dozens of islands scattered across Narragansett Bay, which gives the state its name.
Roger Williams founded the colony in 1636 as a refuge for religious tolerance after being expelled from Massachusetts. It entered the Union on May 29, 1790, as the last of the original thirteen colonies, after local residents debated the federal constitution for several years.
Coastal communities maintain strong ties to sailing and fishing, with marinas and seafood shacks lining the shore from Narragansett to Newport. The state celebrates its heritage through outdoor summer festivals, local farmers markets, and a tight network of family-run restaurants serving clam cakes and chowder.
Massachusetts borders the state to the north and east, Connecticut to the west, while the Atlantic forms the entire southern coastline. Drivers can cross the state in under an hour, as distances remain short and roads often trace the water's edge.
Despite its size as the smallest state by area, it holds the second highest population density after New Jersey. The official name is simply State of Rhode Island, without any suffix, though many locals still recall the longer colonial name that included Providence Plantations.
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