Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island, also called Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. It must be distinguished from the State of Rhode Island, of which it is part.

Related Topics:
Narragansett Bay - State of Rhode Island

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The origin of the name "Rhode Island" is unclear. It may have been given its name because of its similarity in shape to the island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean. Alternatively, it may been bestowed by Dutch navigator Adriaen Block who visited the island in 1614, who may have named it Roode after the Dutch word for "red".

Related Topics:
Rhodes - Mediterranean - Dutch - Adriaen Block - 1614 - Dutch

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The largest (and only) city on the island is Newport, which is the fifth largest city in the state of Rhode Island. It shares the island with the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth.

Related Topics:
Newport - Middletown - Portsmouth

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The Newport Bridge connects Aquidneck Island to Jamestown on nearby Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, and subsequently to the mainland on the western side of the bay. Additionally, the Mount Hope Bridge connects it to Bristol, and the Sakonnet River Bridge carries traffic to Tiverton over the Sakonnet River, the narrow saltwater strait on the eastern side of the island. South of the Sakonnet Bridge is the site of the demolished Stone Bridge; the other two bridges replaced ferries.

Related Topics:
Newport Bridge - Jamestown - Conanicut Island - Narragansett Bay - Mount Hope Bridge - Bristol - Sakonnet River Bridge - Tiverton - Sakonnet River - Stone Bridge - Ferries

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