Rhode Island – the Ocean State

Rhode Island – the Ocean State

General overview

Officially called State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, commonly known as Rhode Island, this small state of the US is a tempting summer holyday destination due to its humid continental climate and most inviting geography. Located in south western US, with chilly winters and warm summers, Rhode Island is also known as the “Ocean State” due to its geographical features designed by the Atlantic Ocean. Providence the capital of Rhode Island is a city founded on seven hills, with opening to Narragansett Bay and also known as one of the most densely populated cities in the US. Also famous for being one of the first industrialized cities in the US, Providence is also known as 'Beehive of Industry'. Newport is another important city in Rhode Island, famous for hosting Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding in 1953. The largest revenue generator for the Rhode Island’s economy is health service industry. Tourism, manufacturing and financial services also play an important role for the state’s economy. Rhode Island is also famous for being the first state to issue a law which prohibited slavery.

Natural attractions

Narragansett Bay is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in E Rhode Island, an estuary created mainly by Blackstone River and also a small archipelago formed by 30 small islands. The main islands within Narragansett Bay are Prudence Island, Aquidneck Island and Conanicut Island. Trustom Pond Refuge is home for more than 260 of animal species and its beauty hasn’t passed unobserved to tourists as it attracts 50 000 visitors per year. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, also known for being the summer house of billionaire Augustus Van Wickle, hosts a fairytale garden with more than 50 000 flowers species. Osamequin Wildlife Sanctuary gives the opportunity to any wildlife admirer to observe and enjoy migratory waterfowl while contemplating the ocean.

Cultural heritage

Rhode Island is a fascinating mixture of ancestral European cultures: Italian, English, Portuguese, Irish, French and so on. This fact can be easily observed judging by the architectural diversity of the buildings. However, Rhode Island locals are also known as the creators of stone-ender architecture stile. European influences may be found in Rhode Island’s traditional or classic foods: French inspired snail salads, Portuguese linguiça or Italian Pizza Strips. This cultural mixture is used as a pretext for organizing different feasts and events such as: Newport Winter Festival, Newport Irish Heritage Month or Rhode Island International Film Festival. Newport remains as one of the most popular film locations in Rhode Island as it was chosen for shootings films like: The Great Gatsby or High Society (with protagonist Frank Sinatra). Block Island Southeast Light, built in Victorian gothic style is situated in Block Island and remains as a historical memory of the 19th century. National Museum of American Illustration can be visited in Newport where artwork from 1865 to 1945 is exposed. Skilled yacht manufacturers, the locals of Bristol have founded Herreshoff Marine Museum where among the exhibits there is Doris, the largest wooden sailing yacht built by Herreshoff company.