The coastline provided many conveniences for the colonies. It gave them access to trade easily and participate in the Triangular Trade, which resulted in an abundance of ports. Also, being by the sea made fishing, shipbuilding, and whaling popular.
Providence, Rhode Island in the mid-nineteenth century
CLIMATE, FORESTS, AND TERRAIN
Rhode Island had a humid subtropical climate. In other words, the summers were mild and did not last very long, eventually fading away to long cold winters. Because of the surrounding forests, timber was readily gained and it was easy to find the supplies needed for shipbuilding. The lack of fertility in the soil forced the colonists to resort to crops such as corn, pumpkins, rye, and squash, which could be raised in harsh conditions. The rocky soil made it hard to farm crops such as wheat. Such terrain only allowed for subsistence farms.
A climate-map of Rhode Island
The Native Americans
The colonies were situated near Native American Tribes. Although this allowed for trading between the colonists and the natives, it eventually led to conflicts.