Rhode Island Information

Here is some general information about Rhode Island:

Recommended Reading

State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide

This guide contains information about the symbols, mottoes, flowers, trees, birds, songs, and even license plates for each of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories.

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Name
Offical Name	The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Nicknames	Little Rhody, The Ocean State
Abbreviations	RI, US-RI
Origin of Name	Probably after the Greek island of Rhodes

Government
Official Language	None
Admission to Union	29 May 1790
Time Zone	Eastern
Official Web Site	www.ri.gov

Population
Capital	Providence
Largest City	Providence
Population	1,048,319 (as of 2000 census)
Economy	Agriculture: nursery stock, vegetables, dairy products, eggs Industry: health services, tourism, textiles, fashion jewelry, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, machinery, shipbuilding and boatbuilding

Geography
Area	1,214 square miles (3,144 km²)
Major Rivers	Sakonnet River
Major Lakes	Scituate Reservoir
Highest Point	Jerimoth Hill - 812 feet (247 meters)
Bordering States	Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut
Bordering Country	None
Bordering Body of Water	Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island Sound, Atlantic Ocean

Symbols
Flag
Motto	Hope
Song	Rhode Island, It's for Me
March	Rhode Island
American Folk Art	The Charles I.D. Looff Carousel
Bird	Rhode Island Red
Fish	Striped Bass
Shell	Quahaug
Flower	Violet
Fruit	Rhode Island Greening
Tree	Red Maple
Drink	Coffee Milk
Rock	Cumberlandite
Mineral	Bowenite
Flagship and Tall Ship Ambassador	Replica of the Continental Sloop Providence
Yacht	Courageous
Tartan	The State of Rhode Island Tartan