Rhode Island
The Ocean State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Hope"
Additional Information
A one-word motto reflecting the faith and resilience of Rhode Island's founders, who sought religious freedom in the New World.
Adopted 1647.
Population Growth
Overview
Rhode Island, the 'Ocean State,' is the smallest state in the Union but one of the mightiest in historical significance. Founded in 1636 on the radical principle of separation of church and state, it has punched above its weight for nearly four centuries — as a colonial firebrand, a Gilded Age resort, and now a vibrant hub for higher education, design, and maritime innovation.
Historical Significance
Rhode Island officially joined the Union on May 29, 1790, as the 13th and final original state. Its history is one of principled defiance — founded by Roger Williams in 1636 after his banishment from Massachusetts for advocating religious freedom, it became the first colony to officially renounce allegiance to the British Crown on May 4, 1776, two months before the Declaration of Independence.
Top Cities & Hubs
Providence
Population: ~190,000The state capital and a vibrant arts and culinary destination, home to Brown University and RISD, celebrated for the stunning WaterFire installation and a national food scene led by its remarkable concentration of restaurants per capita.
Warwick
Population: ~82,000The state's second-largest city, housing T.F. Green Airport and major commercial districts, with 39 miles of coastline making it a premier destination for boating and waterfront recreation.
Cranston
Population: ~82,000A diverse and thriving city just south of Providence, the state's third-largest municipality with a strong Italian-American heritage, vibrant arts community, and excellent parks system.
Pawtucket
Population: ~75,000The "Cradle of the American Industrial Revolution," where Slater Mill in 1793 produced the first successful water-powered cotton spinning factory in the U.S., launching American manufacturing.
East Providence
Population: ~47,000A scenic residential city on the eastern shore of the Providence River, offering beautiful waterfront parks, historic neighborhoods, and easy access to Providence's cultural amenities.
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- Rhode Island declared independence from Britain on May 4, 1776 — two months before the national Declaration of Independence — making it the first colony to formally break with the Crown.
- Despite being America's smallest state, Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline thanks to Narragansett Bay's complex geography, giving it more shoreline per square mile than almost any state.
- The oldest carousel in the U.S., the Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill, has been running since 1884 and is a National Historic Landmark, still thrilling riders with its hand-carved horses.