RHODE ISLAND By Billy Frazier

providence Has a population 171,557 people as of 2008 Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams After being one of the first cities in the country to industrialize, Providence became noted for its jewelry and silverware industry Today, Providence city proper alone is home to eight hospital's and seven institutions of higher learning,

Origin of Rhode island In 1524, Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazano was the first European to visit any part of what is now Rhode Island The official explanation by the State of Rhode Island is that Mr. Adriaen Block named the area "Roodt Eylandt", meaning "red island", in reference to the red clay that lines the shore, and that this name was later anglicized when the region came under British rule.

Current governor The current governor of Rhode island is Donald Carcieri He has been the governor since January 7, 2003 and is still the current governor of Rhode island Donald Carcieri is a republican and there have been 32 republicans in Rhode island

Main crop Potatoes and corn are the leading crops in the state Farmers grow potatoes mostly in the southeastern region of the state Farmland covers 10% of the states total area Rhode Island has about 700 farms

The war of Rhode island King Philip's War was named after Metacomet of the Wampanoag tribe in 1675 - 1677 The war was bloody and bitterly fought by the colonists against the Wampanoags, Narragansetts, Nipmucks, Pocumtucks, and Abenakis This war wiped out about one third of Americans white people This war proved to be the final struggle by the Native Americans of Rhode Island

The Portsmouth compact This compact was signed originally by twenty-three people It was signed march 7,1638 Boston called the compact an act of combining into one unit It was the first document in history that severed both political and religious ties with mother England.

Museum of work and culture Hands on learning for students, the Museum tells the story of local culture, immigration and enterprise in the Blackstone Valley through films, interactive audio Museum of Work & Culture, 42 South Main St, Woonsocket, RI An interactive Museum operated by the Rhode Island Historical Society that presents the compelling story of the French Canadians who left the farms of Quebec for the factories of the New England area.

Fort Adams 80 fort Adams drive Newport, RI Fort Adams State Park offers an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay Also located at Fort Adams are two professional soccer fields, one rugby field, one saltwater beach staffed with lifeguards, two boat ramps, picnic areas with 40 tables, fishing piers and one sailing regattas building with lockers and showers

Roger Williams Park Zoo Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the country has entertained and delighted Rhode Islanders since its opening in 1872 But by the mid 1960's, Roger Williams Park Zoo was showing visible signs of neglect Roger Williams Park Zoo 1000 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 02907