Physical Map of Rhode Island - Geographical Features of Rhode Island

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Rhode Island showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Rhode Island physical features.

Rhode Island Physical Map

Physical Features of Rhode Island

Rhode Island features a coastal landscape with rolling hills, lowlands, and numerous bays and inlets along the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the state lies within the New England uplands, with gently sloping terrain and scattered forests. The western region has slightly higher elevations with hills and small valleys, while the eastern portion is dominated by coastal plains and Narragansett Bay. Rivers, estuaries, and islands play a major role in shaping the state’s geography.

Major Landforms in Rhode Island

LandformTypeRegionDescription
New England UplandUplandWestRolling hilly terrain
Narragansett BasinBasinEastLowland coastal basin
Coastal PlainPlainEastFlat coastal region
Narragansett BayBayEastLarge estuarine bay
Aquidneck IslandIslandEastMajor coastal island
Block IslandIslandSouthOffshore island
Blackstone ValleyValleyNorthRiver valley corridor
South County LowlandsLowlandSouthFlat coastal area
Woonsocket HillsHillsNorthElevated terrain
Salt MarshesWetlandCoastalCoastal marshlands

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Rhode Island

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Narragansett BayBayEastCentral coastal feature
Blackstone RiverRiverNorthHistoric industrial river
Pawtuxet RiverRiverCentralFlows into bay
Pawcatuck RiverRiverSouthForms state boundary
Sakonnet RiverRiverEastTidal strait
Scituate ReservoirLakeCentralLargest inland water body
Wordens PondLakeSouthLargest natural lake
Block Island SoundSoundSouthAtlantic coastal waters
Green Hill PondLakeSouthCoastal lagoon
Atlantic OceanOceanSouthCoastal boundary

Elevation and Terrain in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has modest elevation changes, with slightly higher terrain in the western uplands and lower elevations along the coast. Jerimoth Hill is the highest point, while the lowest elevation lies at sea level along the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain includes hills, valleys, and coastal plains.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointJerimoth Hill – 812 ft
Lowest PointAtlantic Ocean – sea level
Average Elevation200 ft
Terrain TypeHills and coastal plains

Rhode Island Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateRhode Island
Total Area1,545 sq mi
Land Area1,034 sq mi
Water Area511 sq mi
Highest PointJerimoth Hill
Lowest PointAtlantic Ocean
Longest RiverBlackstone River
Largest LakeScituate Reservoir
Major LandformsUplands, coastal plains
Main Water BodiesNarragansett Bay, Atlantic Ocean
Terrain TypeLow hills and coastal terrain
CoastlineAtlantic Ocean coastline