Why is the state of Rhode Island named Rhode Island when it's not even an island?

serpa

The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island, is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area. Rhode Island borders Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and shares a water boundary with New York's Fishers Island to the southwest. Despite the name, most of Rhode Island is on the mainland United States. The name Rhode Island and Providence Plantations derives from the merger of two colonies, Providence Plantations and Rhode Island. Providence Plantations was the name of the colony founded by Roger Williams in the area now known as the City of Providence. Rhode Island, the other colonial settlement, was founded in the area of present-day Newport, on Aquidneck Island, the largest of several islands in Narragansett Bay. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_island Who knew? Apr 01 10, 7:19 PM

author

There is an island called Rhode Island though, even if it is often called Aquidneck Island. I don't know what the official name of the island is? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_%28island%29 Apr 01 10, 7:22 PM

star_gazer

Aquidneck Island (or Rhode Island) is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. Its official name, Rhode Island, is used on United States Geological Survey topographic and many other maps, but it is known locally as Aquidneck Island, in part to distinguish it from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, of which it is a part. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquidneck_Island Apr 01 10, 11:36 PM