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Rhode Island and its presidential primary

Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:19am EST

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Rhode Island is one of several states that hold their presidential primary contests on March 4. Democrat Hillary Clinton is scheduled to campaign in the state on Sunday.

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Following are some facts about the Ocean State:

* At 1,541 square miles (3,991 square kilometers), Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 U.S. states. It could fit into Alaska 430 times. Despite its name and many islands, the state is on the U.S. mainland.

* Organized crime and political corruption have long been prominent in "Rogue's Island." Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, the longtime mayor of Providence, was sent to prison on racketeering charges in 2002.

* Rhode Island has been one of the most Democratic states in the nation since the 1930s, when Catholic immigrants arrived from Quebec, Ireland and Italy to work in the textile mills. Politically moderate Republicans tend to succeed when Democrats are damaged by scandal.

* Voting concludes at 9 p.m. EST (0200 GMT). Registered Republicans and Democrats can only vote in their party's primary. Independents can vote in either contest.

SOURCES: Providence Journal; Almanac of American Politics; Rhode Island Secretary of State

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan)

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