Rhode Island

Rhode Island Forklift Parts - The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more frequently called Rhode Island, is a state in the New England region of the United States. By area, it is the smallest US state. Rhode Island is bounded by Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts towards the east and north, and it shares a water boundary with New York's Long Island towards the southwest.

When Rhode Island declared independence from British rule on May 4, the year 1776, Rhode Island was the very first to do so, two months prior to other states. The state of Rhode Island was likewise the very last to approve the United States Constitution.

"The Ocean State" is Rhode Island's official nickname, a reference to the state's geography. There are numerous big inlets and bays within the state which total to 14% of its whole area. The land area is about 1,045 square miles or 2706 km2, with a total area that is considerably bigger. The state of Rhode Island covers an area of approximately 1,214 square miles or 3,140 km2 and is bounded on the west by the state of Connecticut, on the east and north by Massachusetts, and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and Rhode Island Sound. It shares a narrow maritime border together with the state of New York between Block Island and Long Island. The mean elevation of the state is 200 feet or60 m. referred to as the Ocean State, Rhode Island has some oceanfront beaches. It is generally flat with no real mountains, and the state's highest natural point is Jerimoth Hill, 812 feet or 247 m above sea level.

The early economy of Rhode Island's history comprised a base in farming and fishing, which upon independence became shipping and manufacturing respectively. The total gross state product of the state during 2000, ranked 45th within the US at $33 billion. Its 2000 per capita personal income was $29,685, 16th in the nation. Rhode Island has the lowest level of energy consumption per capita of whichever state.

Citizens Financial Group is the 14th biggest bank within the United States and has its company headquarters in Providence. CVS Caremark and Textron, which are Fortune 500 companies are based respectively within the cities of Providence and Woonsocket. GTECH Corporation, FM Global, American Power Conversion, Hasbro, Nortek, and Amica Mutual Insurance are all Fortune 1000 companies which are based within Rhode Island.

The biggest business in the state of Rhode Island is Health Services. Tourism ranks next with about 39,000 jobs, leading to related sales of approximately $3.26 billion in the year 2000. Manufacturing ranks as the third-largest business within Rhode Island. The state's industrial outputs are fabricated metal products, costume jewelry, machinery, electrical equipment, shipbuilding and boatbuilding. The agricultural outputs of Rhode Island are vegetables, nursery stock, dairy products and eggs.