Rhode Island . . . State 13
Rhode Island's official flag was adopted in 1897. The flag is white, fringed with yellow on three sides. A yellow anchor is circled by 13 yellow stars which symbolize the original 13 colonies. A blue ribbon is under the anchor and reads, "HOPE." The anchor was first adopted as a seal for Rhode Island in 1647, when the four original towns of Rhode Island were Providence, Warwick, Portsmouth, and Newport.
Rhode Island was the 13th state
and became a state on May 29,
1790. Rhode Island is located
in the northeastern part of
the U.S. Rhode Island and is
the smallest state. It measures
only 48 miles from north to
south and 37 miles from east
to west. The southern part is
bordered by The Atlantic Ocean,
Connecticut is to the west and
Massachusetts is to the north
and east. Rhode Island's eastern
half has the Narragansett Bay
and other bodies of water. In
the western part of the state
are the Appalachian Mountains
and in the east are mainly lowland
areas with many islands, sandy
beaches, and marshes. Rhode
Island used to be covered by
glaciers in the Ice Age. These
glaciers helped shape most of
the physical features of the
New England states.
Rhode Island has a four-season
climate, but the weather in
Rhode Island can change dramatically
and the state can experience
tropical storms, ice storms
or heavy snow. They have a damp
climate with short summers and
long, cold winters. The bay
and coastal areas are cooler
in summer and warmer in winter
when compared to inland regions.
Statewide, winter is chilly
and wet, with some snow. January
is the coldest month and average
high temperatures near 30 degrees.
July and August are the warmest
months and average high temperatures
in the 80s. Warmer conditions
are common inland. Annual precipitation
averages near 45 inches.
Rhode Island does not have very
good soil for growing crops
because of the rocky soil. Because
of this much of the state relies
on poultry and dairy. It does
have a big fishing industry
and catches a lot of the nations
lobster, and hard shell clams.
Economy:
Rhode Island Agriculture: Nursery stock,
vegetables, dairy products,
eggs.
Rhode Island Industry: Fashion jewelry, fabricated
metal products, electric equipment,
machinery, shipbuilding and
boat building, tourism.
Rhode Island is densely populated
and about 75% of the population
lives within a 15% mile radius
of the capital. Even though
it is the smallest state it
is one of the most highly industrialized
states in the nation.
Rhode Island has 5
counties:
Bristol Kent
Newport Providence Washington
