Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, at 48 miles long and 37 miles wide. Yet within those 1214 square miles you will find over 400 miles of coastline, and rolling hills, with the highest being 812 feet (Jerimoth Hill). You will find bustling urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and peaceful rural areas, all within the state boundaries. 

Settled in 1636 by Roger Williams on land he purchased from the Narragansett Indians, Rhode Island was founded on the principles of religious and political freedom. In 1776, Rhode Island was the first colony to declare its independence from Great Britain – two months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And the Industrial Revolution began in Rhode Island, with the success of Samuel Slater’s water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket. Today, Rhode Island’s economy is fueled by health services, tourism, and manufacturing. 

For more information, not only on the history of Rhode Island, but also on travel, tourism, and events in the state, go to www.visitrhodeisland.com.