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Washington
county, Rhode Island, United States
Also known as: Narragansett country
Washington, county, southwestern Rhode Island, U.S. It is bordered by Connecticut to the west, Narragansett Bay to the east, and Block Island Sound to the south and includes Block Island south of the mainland. The Pawcatuck River flows through the western portion of the county and defines the southwestern border with Connecticut.
The county was formed in 1729. It was originally called the Narragansett country; its present name (honouring George Washington) was adopted in 1781. There is no county seat, but the principal towns are North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Westerly, and Narragansett. Principal industries are textiles, tourism, and industrial machinery. Area 333 square miles (862 square km). Pop. (2000) 123,546; (2010) 126,979.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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