Higher Education  

Rhode Island has eleven colleges and universities and one community college. The state's three public institutions of higher education are the University of Rhode Island, whose main campus is in Kingston; Rhode Island College in Providence; and the Community College of Rhode Island, with campuses in Warwick and Lincoln. The state's most prestigious private institution is Brown University, a member of the Ivy League, in Providence. Other private institutions include the Rhode Island School of Design, Johnson and Wales University, Providence College, and Hall Institute of Technology, all in Providence; Salva Regine College, in Newport; Bryant College, in Smithfield; and Roger Williams College, in Bristol; and the New England Institute of Technology in Providence and Warwick.

Geography

Having an area of 3,144 square kilometers, Rhode Island is America's smallest state. Rhode Island can be divided into two main areas: the Coastal Lowlands and the Eastern New England Upland. Covering more than half of the state, the Coastal Lowlands include the islands in Narragansett Bay, the lands east of the bay, and the coasts and coastal plains in the southern and the eastern parts of the state. Valleys and sloping hills characterize the Eastern New England Upland, which occupies Rhode Island's inland areas in the north and west. The state's major rivers are the Pawtucket, the Blackstone, the Seekonk, the Providence, the Moshassuck, the Woonasquatucket, and the Pawcatuck. Rhode Island's important cities are Providence (capital), Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and East Providence. The population of Rhode Island is approximately 987,000.

Climate

The climate of Rhode Island is generally temperate and mild. The state experiences its most pleasant weather from April through June and from September through mid-November; January and February are the coldest months. Statewide, the average annual temperature is -2° C in January and 22° C in July. Rhode Island receives about 112 cm of precipitation (rain, snow, and other moisture) each year.

Cultural Profile

Museums in Providence include the Museum of Rhode Island History, the Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art, and the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History. Other museums in Rhode Island include the Children's Museum of Rhode Island, in Pawtucket; the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, in Bristol; Narragansett's South County Museum; the Warwick Museum, in Warwick; the Museum of Primitive Cultures, in Peace Dale; and the Westerly Museum and Art Gallery in Westerly.

Performing arts organizations based in Providence include the Rhode Island Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Providence Opera Theatre, the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra, the Performing Arts Association, the Trinity Square Repertory Company, and the Rhode Island Shakespeare Theatre. Other organizations in the state include the Rhode Island State Ballet Company, Harrisville's American Ballet, the Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island College Dance Company.

Recreation

Rhode Island has been called the yachting capital of the world. With 33 state parks and 63 state beaches, the state offers outdoors enthusiasts abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and other activities. Some of Rhode Island's interesting places to visit are Colony House, in Newport; Roger Williams National Memorial, in Providence; the Arcade, in Providence; Green Animals Topiary Gardens, in Portsmouth; and the State House, in Providence.

Interesting Facts

The Naval War College is located in Newport, Rhode Island. In 1896, America's first auto race on a track was held at Cranston. Although Rhode Island is the smallest state, it has the longest official name  State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Some famous Rhode Islanders are Nicholas Brown (merchant and benefactor to Rhode Island College, later renamed Brown University in his honor), Ruth Ann Buzzi (actress and comedienne), George M. Cohan (composer, singer, producer, actor, playwright), Nelson Eddy (singer), Nathanael Greene (Revolutionary War general), H. P. Lovecraft (writer), Edwin O'Connor (novelist), Matthew Perry (naval officer), and Nancy Elizabeth Prophet (sculptor).