Newport (Rhode Island)

Newport was settled in 1639 on Aquidneck Island, in the southeast of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It was united with Portsmouth in 1640 and entered a permanent federation with Providence and Warwick in 1654. Pre-Revolutionary prosperity was brought to Newport by foreign commerce and ship-building, an industry that dates from 1646.

During the American Revolution, the British occupied the town from 1776 to 1779. They destroyed many buildings and most of Newport's citizens moved away. The town never regained its former economic prestige. Providence, with which it was joint state capital until 1900, became the most important city.

In the 19th century, Newport re-developed itself as a fashionable resort of the wealthy and many palatial 'cottages' were built. The city boasts countless colonial era buildings.

American naval officer Matthew Perry was born in Newport.

Newport is a port of entry to the United States. The city's economy once chiefly revolved around the many naval installations there, but the closure of U.S. navy facilities has created significant unemployment. The tourist industry, educational facilities, fishing and the manufacture of electrical appliances and electronic devices are of major importance to the city's economy.

Yacht races are hosted in Newport. The city was the site of the America's Cup races until the early 1980s. Tennis was popularized there too. The National Tennis Hall of Fame is in the Newport casino. The Newport Jazz Festival was held there until 1971, but other music and dance fests are still organized today.

The city is the seat of Salve Regina College, the U.S. Naval War College and several other naval training schools. Newport Bridge spans the east passage of Narragansett Bay. It was opened in 1969 and links the city with Jamestown.

There are many hotels, bars and restaurants in Newport. The city sits on Narragansett Bay, 53 km (33 mi) southeast of Providence and 530 km northeast of Washington D.C.