States from A-Z: Rhode Island & South Carolina

Rhode Island – “Ocean State” or “Little Rhody”

Rhode Island is the smallest US State measuring only 4,002 km². The starting point of Rhode Island is the capital Providence nearby Narragansett Bay, which was founded by Roger Williams in 1636. The name Rhode Island derived from the red soil of the land. The Dutch explorer Adriaen Block entitled the state "Rhody Eylandt", which developed to today's state name over the years.

 

In 1511, the Portuguese explorer Miguel de Cortereal sailed along the coast of Rhode Islands, but without disembarking. The colony was founded in 1636 by the anthropologist, political philosopher, politician and theologian Roger William - a Baptist, who was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony by the Puritans.

 

On May 29th in 1790, Rhode Island joined the 13 colonies of the USA.

Rhode Island abounds in cultural and historical heritage, offers an arresting countryside with many hiking paths and a delicious cuisine.

 

The city Newport is one of the oldest White settlements of the USA. There are several rumors about the old tower of the stronghold - one is saying the tower was built by the Templars who fled from Europe in the 12th century. Therefore, since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival is celebrated in Rhode Island. The mentioned festival was set up by George Wein (initiator of the Jazz festival in 1954) and Albert Grossmann (manager of Bob Dylan). Throughout many years, famous musicians like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie and James Taylor performed on the stage of the Newport Folk Festival.

 

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South Carolina – “Palmetto State”

The name South Carolina derived from Latin word Carolus, referring to King Karl I., like the name North Carolina does. South Carolina measures 82,932 km² and has approximately 4,3 million inhabitants, 30 % of them are Afro-Americans. The capital is Columbia, although Charleston is chosen to be the traditional capital. South Carolina was one of the first colonies which declared their independence from Great Britain and ratified the Articles of Confederation (the first Constitution of the USA). South Carolina joined the 13 colonies as the 8th state on March 23rd, 1788. With the secession from the Union in 1860, South Carolina initiated the foundation of the confederation, which led right away to the American Civil War. This particular war started on April 12th, 1861 being caused by firing at Fort Summer.

 

The influence of South Carolina on the breakout of the war is also reflected in several songs. Next to "Dixie" the "Bonnie Blue Flag" was the most famous and widely-spread song among the army of the southern states.

 

The Congaree National Park of South Carolina is home to the last hardwood forests of the USA. Those trees are the tallest trees of the eastern USA and grow in a swampy area. The National Park was founded in 1976. It is a sanctuary for animals and plants and offers camping and canoeing possibilities, hiking paths and bird watching to all visitors.