Rhode Island is the smalleststate in the United States byarea. Thecapital and largestcity isProvidence. It is called the "Ocean state" because of its bays and waterways. It was founded byRoger Williams for religious freedom.
Rhode Island was one of the originalThirteen Colonies. It became very important to the economy because of theslave trade, and more slaves were taken to the thirteen colonies through Rhode Island than any of the others in the18th century. Slavers would send ships fromNewport to buy slaves fromAfrica and make money by trading goods with others involved in slavery.[6] Rhode Island became a state (the last of the thirteen to agree to the newUnited States Constitution) in 1790. But despite it joined the United States in 1790, it was founded in 1776.
Rhode Island is bordered on the north and east byMassachusetts, on the west byConnecticut, and on the south byRhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. It shares a water border with New York. It is named for a large island in Rhode Island Sound, Rhode Island. Some thought the island looked likedRhodes, an island in Greece.
An executive order was signed by GovernorGina Raimondo on June 22, 2020 to remove "Providence Plantations" from the official state name due to its ties to slavery.[7] Raimondo stated the change would go into effect "as soon as practicable."[8] In November 2020, the official name was voted to be changed to "State of Rhode Island".
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