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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Once reserved as the resort for the rich, Rhode Island, smallest
of the US states, is today a favourite east coast getaway,
particularly for Bostonians and New Yorkers, being only 60 miles
(97km) and 180 miles (290km) respectively from those major cities.
The extravagant 19th-century mansions of America's wealthy families
that grace Newport, Rhode Island's southern city on the Atlantic
Ocean, are now relics of a golden age that serve as tourist
attractions to be marvelled at by visitors. It is easy to
understand why Rhode Island became a popular Mecca for the idle
rich in days gone by when one considers the state has more than 400
miles (644km) of convoluted shoreline jutting into the Atlantic
Ocean and Narragansett Bay, allowing for more than 100 beaches.
This little State offers more than just water, however& more
than 60 percent of its total area is covered in woodland, carefully
preserved in 53 state parks and management areas, making it a
perfect place to indulge in camping, hiking and cycling. The state
capital is the city of Providence, lying at the northern point of
narrow Narragansett Bay about 30 miles (48km) from the open ocean.
Both Providence and the southerly city of Newport have a
fascinating colonial history well worth investigating via the local
attractions, while the little resort island of Block, about an hour
by ferry from the southern town of Point Judith, is an unspoilt and
well-preserved paradise for beachcombing and bird watching. Rhode
Island is not strictly an island as such, being rather a portion of
coastline that has been jaggedly cleaved in two, bisected by
Narragansett Bay, leaving an irregular coastline. The name is a
legacy of the early Puritan settlers who thought their new homeland
resembled the island of Rhodes in the Aegean. During the colonial
period Newport prospered as an important port with ships trading in
slaves, molasses and rum filling the harbour. After the Civil War
the trading post began to turn into a resort as new-made
millionaires discovered the beautiful beaches and gentle climate
around the city and began to build their summer palaces.
Information & Facts
Climate
The Rhode Island climate tends to be unpredictable and
changeable, though it is predominately humid, with short summers
and cold winters with snow. On average, monthly temperatures range
from about 82°F (28°C) to 20°F (-7°C). In comparison to the inland
regions, the coastal areas of Rhode Island, including Narragansett
Bay, are usually cooler in summer and warmer in winter. July and
August tend to be the warmest times of year and temperatures reach
80-85°F (26-29°C), though inland is usually hotter. January is
normally the coldest month of the usually chilly winters, with
temperatures on average dropping to about 30°F (-1°C). Storms and
hurricanes do occur in Rhode Island, causing considerable
damage.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).