The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (more commonly Rhode Island) is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is the smallest state by area, and also the state with the longest official name. Rhode (IPA: ) Island was the first of the thirteen original American colonies to declare independence from British rule, signaling the start of the American Revolution. Rhode Island was also the last of the original thirteen states to ratify the United States Constitution.

Despite its name, most of Rhode Island is on the mainland. Providence plantations refers to the mainland, while Rhode Island was the 17th and 18th century name for Aquidneck Island (now composed of the city of Newport, and the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth).

Rhode Island is nicknamed “Little Rhody” traditionally but the state officially adopted the nickname “the Ocean State," as nearly one tenth of Rhode Island's inland area is covered by salt water and no resident is more than a forty-five minute drive from the water's edge.