Rhode Island At A Glance
Here are some general facts and important information to help your
group or escort get the most from your adventure in Rhode Island.
| Rhode Island |
| |
Area
|
| |
| 1,214 square miles |
|
Area Code
|
| |
| 401 |
|
Capital City
|
| |
| Providence |
|
Climate
|
| |
| Rhode Island experiences a generally mild climate throughout the year. Average annual precipitation is 44 inches, and it is not uncommon to see more rain than snow during the winter. The Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay often affect the climate in the state, especially the refreshing sea breezes during the hot summer months! Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F): 30-50 in winter, 45-75 in spring, 65-85 in summer and 30-75 in the fall. |
|
Historical Dates
|
| |
1636 – First settlement
1776 – Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence
1790 – Thirteenth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1793 – Slater Mill in Pawtucket became America’s first successful water-powered cotton mill, spurring the Industrial Revolution
1843 – Adopted current state constitution |
|
Major Industries
|
| |
Rhode Island’s largest industry is health services, followed by tourism and manufacturing. Growing industries include boat building, electronics, chemicals, and metal products. |
|
Official State Name
|
| |
| State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
|
Population
|
| |
| 1,076,189 (2005 estimate) |
|
Shoreline
|
| |
| 400+ miles |
|
State Parks
|
| |
| 17 State Parks, 10 State Beaches, 4 Forest Environment Sites |
|
Tax Information
|
| |
| The state of Rhode Island levies a 7% sales tax on most goods and services. Visitors pay tax on all lodging and accommodation, which is comprised of 7% sales tax plus 5% RI hotel tax. Restaurant tax is 8%. |
|
Electricity
|
| |
The United States uses the same electrical plus configuration and current as Canada: 110 to 115 volts, 60 cycles. |
|
Towns
|
| |
| Rhode Island is made up of 39 municipalities. |
|
Famous People
|
| |
Rhode Island is the birthplace to many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among these are…
• Spalding Gray, actor/writer, Providence
• Meredith Vieira, journalist/television host, Providence
• Prudence Crandall, educator/women’s rights, Hopkinton
• Nathanael Green, US General, Warwick
• Esek Hopkins, US naval officer, Scituate
• William Little, golfer, Newport
• Oliver Hazard Perry, US naval officer, South Kingston
• Gilbert Stuart, painter, North Kingston
|
|
Rhode Island Fast Facts
|
| |
• Roger Williams, Rhode Island’s founder, also founded the first Baptist Church in America.
• The first open golf tournament was held in Rhode Island in 1895.
• The nation’s oldest carousel is in Watch Hill.
• The first state to enact an anti-slavery law in North America, in 1652.
• The first torpedo boat, “Stiletto” was built in Bristol in 1887.
• Pelham Street in Newport was first in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.
• Polo was played for the first time in the United States in Newport, in 1876.
• John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in Newport at St. Mary’s church in 1953.
• The Providence State House has the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world.
• Newport is home to the oldest surviving synagogue in North America, Touro Synagogue, built in 1763. |
|
Visitor Information Centers
|
| |
Rhode Island Welcome Center
Located on I-95 between exits 2 and 3 in Richmond, the Rhode Island Welcome Center is a full-service center open seven days a week, year-round. It is an excellent rest stop, fully equipped with all the necessary services and literature on all of the state’s tourism destinations.
Tel: 401-539-3031
T.F. Green
Provides maps, tourism destination brochures and other visitor information. Staffed by volunteer Johnson & Wales University students.
Newport Gateway Visitors Information Center
Located on 23 America’s Cup Avenue, almost immediately after the Newport Bridge. Offers maps, brochures and other visitor information. |
|
Helpful Contacts
|
| |
For expert advice on how to plan your tour to Rhode Island, or to order additional planning and
promotional materials, we invite you to contact the state directly. Experienced travel professionals are
standing by to help you with your plans!
Rhode Island Tourism Division
Contact: Katrina White, Group Tour Manager
kwhite@riedc.com
One West Exchange Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2601 x150
Toll Free: 1-800-556-2484
Fax: 401-273-8270
www.visitrhodeisland.com
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Tel: 401-222-3260
www.dot.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
Tel: 401-588-3020
www.dmv.state.ri.us
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Tel: 401-784-9500
www.ripta.com
Rhode Island Council on the Arts
Tel: 401-222-3880
www.arts.ri.gov
Rhode Island Historical Society
Tel: 401-331-8575
www.rihs.org
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
Tel: 401-423-0800
www.ritba.org
Rhode Island Division of Taxation (Motor Fuels)
Tel: 401-222-2950
www.tax.state.ri.us |
|
Regional Tourism Councils
|
| |
Regional Tourism Councils
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Tel: 401-724-2200 / 1-800-454-2882
www.tourblackstone.com
Block Island Tourism Council
Tel: 401-466-5200 / 1-800-383-BIRI
www.blockislandinfo.com
East Bay Tourism Council
Tel: 401-245-0750 / 1-888-278-9948
www.eastbayritourism.com
Newport County CVB
Tel: 401-849-8048 / 1-800-326-6030
www.GoNewport.com
Providence/Warwick CVB
Tel: 401-456-0200 / 1-800-233-1636
www.pwcvb.com
South County Tourism Council
Tel: 401-789-4422 / 1-800-548-4662
www.southcountyri.com
Warwick Department of Tourism
Tel: 401-738-2000 / 1-800-492-7942
www.visitwarwickri.com |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
September, 2008
|
