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The Counties of Rhode Island

Bristol
Kent
Newport
Providence
Washington

Rhode Island has no county government. It is divided into 39 municipalities, each having its own form of local government

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Geographic Area

Blackstone Valley - Block Island - East Bay - Newport County - Providence - South County - Warwick-West Bay

Blackstone Valley Area
This area is sometimes just called Blackstone. The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is also shared with a region of Massachusetts. This area is the actual birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, that began in 1790, when Samuel Slater began textile manufacturing in a wooden mill on the banks of the Blackstone River in Pawtucket.

Some communities, towns and villages in the area are Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket.

Cities are Pawtucket,, Central Falls and Woonsocket.. Towns are Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Glocester and Burrillville

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Toll-free: 800-454-BVTC (2882)
Phone: 401-724-2200
Fax: 401-724-1342

Visit Blackstone Valley - Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution

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Block Island Area
This area is separated from the Rhode Island mainland by the Block Island Sound. It is about ten miles offshore. It is about seven miles long and three miles wide. It was first sited in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazano. In 1614, it was charted by Adriaen Block, a Dutch explorer. The native people of the area were the Narragansett. Their name for the island was Manisses. The first settlers arrived in 1661 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1672, it became part of the state of Rhode Island. The island has only one town, New Shoreham that is connected to the mainland by a ferry to Point Judith that is operated year-round. During summer months it also connects to New London, CT, Montauk, NY and to Providence, RI.

Block Island is a popular recreational area, particularly for biking. The northern area is mainly undeveloped and a stop on the Atlantic flyway for birds. The Block Island Southeast Light is on the southeast side of the island and a historic lighthouse, built in 1872, is located on the northern tip of the island.

The Block Island Race Week is held here every other summer. While this premier sailboat racing event is held, the population triples over the normal summer tourist numbers.

Communities: New Shoreham

Block Island Tourism Council
PO Box 356
Block Island, RI 02807
Phone: (800) 383-BIRI

Visitor Center is located on Water Street
Stop by and visit!

Visit Block Island - one of the last Great Places

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East Bay Area

Because Narragansett Bay basically divides the state in half, This region refers to the area east of the bay.

Communities and cities in this area include Barrington, Bristol, East Providence and Warren

East Bay Tourism Council
PO Box 588
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 401-245-0750
Toll-free: 888-278-9948

East Bay - Steeped in history

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Newport County Area

Towns and communities include Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth

Newport County Chamber of Commerce
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Phone: 401-847-1600

Newport County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
23 America's Cup Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Toll-free: 800-976-5122

Newport - the City by the Sea

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Providence

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. It is also the largest city in Rhode Island with a population in 2000 of 173,618 residents.
Providence was named by Roger Williams in honor of "God's merciful Providence" in his finding this spot to settle when expelled by the Puritans from Massachusetts.

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
One West Exchange St.
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-274-1636
Toll-free: 800-233-1636
Fax: 401-351-2090

Providence Tourism Council
55 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 861-0100, (800) 562-9895
fax: (401) 861-7900

Providence - Rhode Island's Renaissance City

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South County Area

The southern portion of the state includes this area which is mainly Washington County.

Towns & communities in this area include Ashaway, Bradford, Charlestown, Exeter, Hope Valley, Hopkinton, Kingston, Narragansett, Narragansett Pier, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, Peacedale, Richmond, South Kingstown, Wakefield and Westerly

South County Tourism Council
4808 Tower Hill Rd.
Wakefield, RI 02879
Toll-free: 800-548-4662
Phone: 401-789-4422
Fax: 401-789-4437

South County - 100% Natural

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Warwick-West Bay Area

Because Narragansett Bay basically divides the state in half, This region refers to the area west of the bay.

Communities and cities in this area include Cranston and Warwick. Warwick, itself, is made up of over 30 small villages, each with their own quaint and charming style. Warwick also has 39 miles of beautiful coastline with twelve marinas and much more

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
One West Exchange St.
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-274-1636
Toll-free: 800-233-1636
Fax: 401-351-2090

Warwick Tourism Council
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 401-738-2000

Warwick Tourism Information

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This page was last updated on 11 June 2011 at 9:22 pm

This page was created 18 October 2005

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