"Rhode Island's economy is built upon three powerful industries: Health services, tourism and manufacturing. Health services is the state's largest industry. Growing industries include electronics, plastics, metal products, instruments, chemicals, and boat building.
Tourism is Rhode Island's second largest industry, supporting 39,000 jobs and producing tourism-related sales which topped $3.26 billion in 2000. Manufacturing is the state's third largest industry. Rhode Island is a recognized producer of jewelry and boats, and is strong in electronics and ocean technologies. Information technology and financial services are growing industries in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island legislature, called the General Assembly, is bicameral, with a Senate and a House of Representatives whose members are apportioned on the basis of population. The Senate has 38 members with the Lt. Governor as the ex-officio presiding officer. The House of Representatives has 75 members and is presided over by the Speaker who is elected from the membership. Election to both houses is for a term of two years. The term of the Governor and general officers is four years.
When most people think about summer vacation, their thoughts turn to long stretches of sandy beaches, clear ocean waters, cool breezes and bright sunshine. No trip here is complete without taking time to enjoy our scenic, unspoiled beaches. No wonder, then, that hundreds of thousands of happy vacationers travel to Rhode Island each year to enjoy 400 miles of scenic coastline and more than 100 public and private beaches.
The more shielded beaches of Narragansett Bay feature ‘breakwater’ barrier protection and may be more suitable for novice swimmers, as well as featuring a more varied, fluctuating surf. Of course, the state has numerous ocean beaches with thundering surf and miles of stunning vistas. Doze off listening to the waves, take time to build an amazing sandcastle, stroll the sun-speckled sand beachcombing for shells, or cast a fishing rod into the open water. Welcome to Rhode Island – just another day at the beach.
And, because of the abundance of waterfront recreational areas, visitors can enjoy a variety of water activities including surfing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing."
- From the visitrhodeisland.com website
To learn more about Rhode Island visit http://visitrhodeisland.com/index_f.html
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