FACTBOX-Rhode Island and its presidential primary

(Reuters) - Rhode Island is one of four states that hold their presidential nominating contests on Tuesday.

Following are some facts about the Ocean State:

* At 1,541 square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 U.S. states. It could fit inside Alaska 430 times.

* Organized crime and political corruption have made headlines in the state the Puritans dubbed "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)