Here are some options depending on the context:
General:
* State: This is the most generic term. You could say "I visited a state in the Northeast" or "Rhode Island is the smallest state."
* Region: If you're referring to the general geographic area, you might use "region."
* Area: Similar to "region", this is a broad term encompassing a geographic location.
Specific:
* Island: Rhode Island is an island, but this would be misleading as Rhode Island includes other land masses as well.
* Colony: Historically, Rhode Island was a colony, but this is not a common way to refer to it today.
Descriptive:
* The Ocean State: This is Rhode Island's nickname, but it's not a noun in itself.
Ultimately, the best word to use depends on the specific context of your writing.