According to babyinger, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country, covering an area of 1,214 square miles. It is located in the New England region of the United States and shares borders with Connecticut and Massachusetts. Its coastline extends for approximately 400 miles along Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point in Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill, which stands at 812 feet above sea level. The state’s terrain is mostly flat with rolling hills and lowlands making up its landscape.
The climate in Rhode Island varies between humid continental and humid subtropical, depending on the region. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching into the 90s during July and August while winters are cold but mild compared to other states in New England. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year with snowfall occurring mainly between November and April.
Rhode Island has several rivers that flow through it including Blackstone River, Pawtuxet River, Wood River, Taunton River, Ten Mile River, Woonasquatucket River, Moshassuck River and more. The largest lake in Rhode Island is Worden Pond located near East Providence which covers an area of 477 acres. There are also numerous smaller lakes including Olney Pond located near Lincoln as well as many ponds scattered throughout the state such as Ballard’s Pond near Foster which covers an area of 28 acres.
Administrative Regions in Rhode Island
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Rhode Island is divided into five counties: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington. Each county has its own local government and court system. The state capital is Providence which is also the most populous city in the state. Rhode Island is also divided into 39 cities and towns, each with their own local government and taxation systems. The largest city in Rhode Island by population is Providence followed by Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket and East Providence.
Rhode Island has two congressional districts: the 1st Congressional District and the 2nd Congressional District. The 1st Congressional District consists of most of the eastern part of the state including Newport County as well as parts of Bristol County and Washington County while the 2nd Congressional District encompasses most of the western part of Rhode Island including all of Providence County as well as parts of Kent County and Washington County.
The state’s executive branch consists of a Governor who is elected every four years along with a Lieutenant Governor who serves as President of the Senate as well as a Council on Postsecondary Education which provides oversight for higher education institutions within Rhode Island. The legislative branch includes a General Assembly made up of 75 Representatives from districts across the state who serve two-year terms along with 38 Senators from 15 senatorial districts who serve four-year terms.
Additionally, there are seven regional planning councils located throughout Rhode Island which provide input on regional issues such as transportation planning, economic development strategies and environmental protection initiatives. These councils are comprised of representatives from each county government including mayors from cities or towns within each county.
Demographics of Rhode Island
According to the 2018 United States Census, Rhode Island had a population of 1,059,361 people. The racial makeup of the state was 81.8% White (76.1% Non-Hispanic White), 8.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American and Alaskan Native, 6.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos made up 12.7% of the population while non-Hispanics made up 87.3%.
The median age in Rhode Island is 40 years old with 15.7% aged 0-17 years old, 17.5% aged 18-24 years old, 29.9 % aged 25-44 years old, 26 % aged 45-64 years old and 10 % over 65 years old. In terms of gender distribution in Rhode Island, 51 percent are female and 49 percent are male with 0 percent being transgender individuals according to 2019 estimates by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law in Los Angeles California as part of their Gender Identity Project Research Initiative Survey (GIPRI).
In terms of educational attainment in Rhode Island, 28 percent have a high school diploma or equivalent while 29 percent have some college or an Associate’s degree; 22 percent hold a Bachelor’s degree; 14 percent have a Master’s degree; 4 percent possess a Professional degree; 3 percent hold an advanced degree; and 1 percent were reported as having no educational attainment according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).
In terms of income levels in Rhode Island, the median household income is $60,941 with 9 percent earning less than $10k annually; 18 percent earning between $10k-$25k; 20 percent earning between $25k-$35k; 20 percent earning between $35k-$50k; 16 percent earning between $50K-$75K; 11percent earning between $75K-$100K and 6 percent earn more than $100K annually according to 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau’s ACS survey data on income levels in Rhode Island households by race/ethnicity as well as gender identity/expression groupings when available for those categories respectively.
Transportation in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has an extensive transportation infrastructure that serves the needs of its residents and visitors. The primary mode of transportation in Rhode Island is the automobile, with over 70% of all trips taken by car. The state is crisscrossed by a network of highways, including I-95, I-295, and US Route 1. There are also several major bridges connecting Rhode Island to neighboring states.
Public transit in Rhode Island is provided mainly by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). RIPTA operates nearly 60 bus routes throughout the state, providing access to major population centers, shopping areas, and tourist attractions. In addition to buses, RIPTA also offers ferry service between Block Island and Galilee in Narragansett Bay. RIPTA also offers paratransit services for those with disabilities who are unable to use regular bus service.
Rhode Island also has an extensive rail network that connects many parts of the state. Amtrak provides passenger rail service between Providence/Warwick and New York City as well as other destinations along the Northeast Corridor. There are also several freight lines operated by CSX and Providence & Worcester Railroad Company that connect industrial centers in Rhode Island to each other and to other parts of New England.
In addition to these traditional forms of transportation, Rhode Island has embraced new technologies to make travel more efficient and convenient for its residents. In 2018, the first electric scooter sharing program launched in Providence with over 200 scooters available for rent throughout the city. The state is also exploring options for expanding bike sharing programs as well as ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft which provide access to safe and reliable transportation options at a fraction of the cost of traditional taxis or rental cars.