The Rhode Island is the smallest State of the the United States. Its true name is State off Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ( the State de Rhode Island and plantations of Providence ). In 2000, the State counted 1.048.319 inhabitants. The capital and the metropolis of Rhode Island are Providence. The State belongs to the area of the New England.

History

Colonial history and of the beginnings

The Colonie of Rhode Island was founded in 1644 by Roger Williams, an exiled nonconformist colonist of the Colonie of bay of Massachusetts for its religious opinions. It founded the first city of the colony, Providence, close to the Narragansett bay like a center for the religious liberty. The territory for the colony had been bought to the local Amerindians, like with king d' Angleterre. Before the foundation of the colony, the area had already received the visit by the Dutch sailor Adriaen Block in the first years of the 17th century. In 1652, Rhode Island is the first area of North America which adopts a law to remove slavery; nevertheless, the traders of Providence and Newport continue to gain massive benefit of the trade of the slaves to other colonies.

The State is one of the 13 American colonies which took part in the Guerre of Independence; the government declares its independence on May 4th, 1776. But, on the other hand, it was the last to ratify the Constitution of the 13 original colonies.

After the war, Rhode Island becomes an industrial center. In 1824, Providence becomes the greatest center for the diamond-like transactions. At the same time, the industrial towns became populated European immigrants (Irish, Italian, English) as well as inhabitant of Quebec.

Modern history

August 1st

Geography

Rhode Island is located at the North-East of the the United States, bordered in north and the east by the Massachusetts, in the west by the Connecticut and in the south by the Atlantic Ocean.

Geographically, contrasts about it with the name of the State, the major part of the territory of the State is not insular; nevertheless, all the south-eastern part is consisted the Baie of Narragansett and a Archipel of islands, of which the island Aquidneck.

This State is the least wide of the United States. Rhode Island is a State densément populated, but to a lesser extent that its large neighbor Connecticut. The majority of the population lives on the coast, and nearly two inhabitants out of ten live in the Providence capital.

The territory of Rhode Island is known for the beaches, the small farms, and also for a large forest-marsh in the east of the State.

Climate

The highest temperature ever recorded in the State of Rhode Island is 40°C, the August 2nd 1975 in the town of Providence while the lowest temperature was of -25°C, the February 6th 1996 with Greene. The average temperatures of each month go from a minimum of -7°C (20°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F). The data concerning annual precipitations of Rhode Island of 1961 with 1990 can be consulted on the following sites:
  • Oregon Climate Service - Distribution of precipitations of Rhode Island
  • Rssweather.com - Graph of precipitations of Rhode Island

Counties of Rhode Island

There are 5 counties (regional zones) of Rhode Island:
  1. the county of Bristol-board
  2. the county of Kent
  3. the County of Newport
  4. the County of Providence
  5. the county of Washington (Also known like the county of the South )

In contrast with the majority of the States of the United States, the counties of Rhode Island are not administrative zones and they do not have autonomous administrations. Their existence is justified only with a one statistical and geographical aim.

Main cities

Rhode Island counts 39 cities whose principal ones are:
  • Bristol-board (22 479 h.)
  • Coventry (33 668 h.)
  • Cranston (79 269 h.)
  • Cumberland (31 840 h.)
  • East Providence (48 688 h.)
  • Johnston (28 195 h.)
  • Lincoln (20 898 h.)
  • Newport (26 475 h.)
  • North Kingstown (26 326 h.)
  • North Providence (32 411 h.)
  • Pawtucket (72 958 h.)
  • Providence (173 618 h., capital)
  • Smithfield (20 613 h.)
  • South Kingstown (27 921 h.)
  • Warwick (85 808 h.)
  • West Warwick (29 581 h.)
  • Westerly (22 966 h.)
  • Woonsocket (44 328 h.)

Policy

Rhode Island is a democratic State of the east coast American but since 2005, the governor is a republican.

A traditionally democratic State

At the time of the presidential elections of 2004, the democratic John Kerry obtained there 59,42% of the voices compared with 38,67% with the republican president George W. Bush, one of her worse scores whereas he was re-elected nationally.

No republican candidate with the presidential election gained Rhode Island since Ronald Reagan with 51,66% of the voices in 1984. For memory, until in 1924, the State was rather favorable to the republicans. Of 1928 at our days, the republicans carried it only four times, in 1952, 1956, 1972 and 1984 (in 1964, the democrat Lyndon Johnson carried there 80,87% of the votes against Barry Goldwater).

On the level of the elected officials to the Congress, at the time of the legislature 2007 - 2008, the two senators of the State are the democrats Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse whereas two democrats represent the State with the Chambre of the representatives.

A republican governor

Since 2003, the governor of Rhode Island is the republican Donald Carcieri re-elected in 2006 whereas the four other stations of the executive are held by democrats.

The two rooms of the local legislative assembly are dominated by the democrats. At the time of the legislature 2007-2008, the Lower House of 75 seats is dominated by 60 democrats vis-a-vis 15 republicans and the senate of 38 seats by 33 democrats against only 5 republicans.

The state of Rhode Island is one of the 12 states of the the United States (on 50) not to have the Capital punishment in its legislation.

Economy

August 1st

Culture

Demonstrations

  • Festival of Jazz of Newport. Every month of August since 1954.

Sites of importance

Historical centres

Arts centres

  • WaterFire

Education and universities

  • University Brown

  • Bryant College
  • University of Johnson and Wales
  • Naval War College
  • Providence College
  • University of Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island School off Design (RISD)
  • University of Roger Williams

Symbols of the State de Rhode Island

  • Tree of Rhode Island: the red maple ( Acer rubrum )

  • Fleur de Rhode Island: the violet ( Violated )
  • Oiseau of Rhode Island: the '' Rhode Island Red '', a race of hen
  • Poisson de Rhode Island: ( Morone saxatilis )
  • Currency of Rhode Island: “Hope” ( “the hope” )
  • Anthem of Rhode Island: " Rhode Island, It' S For Me" ( “Rhode Island, it is for me” )

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