Rhode Island, the smallest US state, often bears the brunt of jokes about its size. But how does it actually measure up against other small countries, specifically Barbados? This article delves into a comparison of Rhode Island’s size with several small island nations, including Barbados, to provide a clearer perspective.
Rhode Island’s Size Compared to Small Island Nations
While Rhode Island may be small compared to US states, it’s surprisingly large compared to several sovereign nations. A Reddit post highlighted seven countries smaller than Rhode Island: Singapore, Malta, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Nauru, Barbados, and San Marino. When superimposed on a Rhode Island map, these seven countries don’t even cover the entire state.
Malta, at 122 square miles, is dwarfed by Rhode Island’s 1,200 square miles. Nauru, the smallest of the group, is only 8.1 square miles, roughly the size of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Even Little Compton, Rhode Island, at 29 square miles, can fit three Naurus within its borders.
Barbados vs. Rhode Island: A Closer Look at Size
Barbados, a popular Caribbean island nation, boasts beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. But in terms of land area, it measures just 166 square miles. This is significantly smaller than Rhode Island’s 1,200 square miles. In fact, Rhode Island is over seven times larger than Barbados.
To put this in perspective, Barbados is slightly larger than Rhode Island’s Aquidneck Island (which includes Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth). However, if you combined Block Island, Aquidneck Island, and Conanicut Island (Jamestown), their combined area would surpass that of Barbados.
Rhode Island’s Size Compared to Other Small European Countries
Rhode Island also surpasses several European countries in size. Andorra, nestled between France and Spain, is only 181 square miles. Liechtenstein, at 62 square miles, would easily fit within Westerly, Rhode Island.
Even Luxembourg, often considered a larger country compared to the others mentioned, is smaller than Rhode Island. At 998 square miles, Luxembourg is still over 200 square miles smaller than the Ocean State.
Conclusion: Rhode Island’s Size in Perspective
While Rhode Island may be the smallest US state, it’s significantly larger than many independent nations, including Barbados. This comparison underscores that “small” is a relative term, and Rhode Island’s size is quite substantial when viewed in a global context. The state’s land area surpasses that of several island nations and even some European countries, highlighting a unique perspective on its often-underestimated size.
