Welcome to the United States of America!

Full title: Providence
State:
Year of foundation: 1636
Population (with surroundings): 1.630 million people
Square: 53 sq. km.

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, located a few hours drive from.

Providence is a large political and economic center with a freedom-loving disposition and a disorderly layout.

Providence Photos

With an unsightly working area for the residents of the New England capital, it quickly became the state capital. Since its founding in 1636, Providence has served as a haven for religious dissidents and those fleeing the puritanical views of the south. And even during the war for independence, the infirmaries of the American military were located in the city. After the end of the war, industry began to actively develop in Providence, but in the middle of the twentieth century, the city's economy fell into decay, and Providence turned into the mafia capital of New England. The revival of the city took place in the 70s. Today's Providence has become a leader in jewelry craftsmanship. The economy of Providence is now focused on the service sector, the development of the education and health systems.

Providence is a treasure trove of culture. In Providence, you should definitely go to the Trinity Repertory Company Theater. Buildings of the 19th century have been preserved here, which merge into a harmonious ensemble with modern architecture.

According to statistics, this largest port city has more restaurants than any other city in America. The city is located at the place where three rivers meet, so it is full of alleys and pavements. The city center is surrounded by greenery. This is where Waterplace Park is located. In Providence, you can always have a nice rest, without thinking about the foundations.

view all

Rhode Island (The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations), or "baby rodi", is one of the states of New England, located in the northeastern United States, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital and largest city is Providence. This is the smallest of the states, its territory is only 3,140 square meters. km. Historically, Rhode Island is known for being one of the 13 American colonies that declared their independence from England and united into the United States.

In the 19th century, Rhode Island was the "summer capital" for high society in New England, and the modern secular audience, mainly from New York and Boston, is attracted here primarily by the beaches of the coast and entertainment mass events, festivals and holidays.

Rhode Island can be called a land of hope and freedom. It was founded in 1636 by the English priest Roger Williams, who preached religious tolerance for European settlers and protection of the rights of the native Indians of the Narragansett tribe. Leading US politicians, including Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, argued that it was Williams's ideas that became the basis for the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, which enshrines freedom of religion, speech and public assembly for citizens. Modern Rhode Island carefully preserves its historical past, on which the democratic statehood is based, so honored by the Americans, sometimes excessively pathetic, but always worthy of respect.

Geography

Neighboring Rhode Island are Massachusetts to the north and east and Connecticut to the west. The southern border is formed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the southwest there is a small segment of the border with the state of New York. Rhode Island is also called the "Ocean State" because of its long coastline. This geographical location is very favorable for summer tourism and recreation, but at the same time there is a risk of being hit by the elements in winter, when strong winds hit the coast of the state, bringing blizzards and storms.

How to get to Rhode Island

The nearest passenger airport to Providence is Boston Logan Airport. Tel. 617 561 1600. From Boston and New York, Rhode Island is easily accessible by car or shuttle bus. Developed in the state and daily rail links between Providence and Boston, New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Search for flights to Providence (nearest airport to Rhode Island)

Transport in the region

To travel around Rhode Island, you can choose a car and regular bus service. The Rhode Island Public Transportation Department offers 54 regular bus routes and 8 tourist routes.

Tour buses are stylized to look like the 1920s era.

Hiking, cycling and horseback riding are also very popular.

natural attractions

The highest point in Rhode Island is Jerimot Hill (247 meters), located almost on the border with Connecticut. It is privately owned, so for a long time excursions to it were prohibited. There is even a popular joke in Rhode Island that more people have climbed McKinley Peak in Alaska, the highest mountain in the United States (6194 meters), than Jerimot Hill.

An Indian tribe living in the state gave the name to the main bay of the region - Narragansett. All of eastern Rhode Island is lowland around the bay. The Narragansett area is approximately 380 sq. km, it includes more than 30 islands, the largest of them are Aquidnek (or Rhode Island), Konanikut and Prudence.

The western part of the region is a hilly upland with many rivers and streams, very popular with anglers. Pike and perch abound here.

Trout fishing season opens every year on the second Saturday of April at dawn.

The hills of Rhode Island are covered with oak, maple, ash and beech forests, in which hunting is allowed, as well as wildlife watching.

For lovers of exploring the coastal ecosystem, Rhode Island is one of the best places on Earth.

Many species of songbirds and marsh birds live here. Special routes have been developed for observing and photographing, and many parks are equipped with special shutters for this purpose.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island hiking trails

For the convenience of tourists, enthusiasts have laid special hiking trails for hiking in Rhode Island, both in the wild and in specially organized parks:

• The North South Trail is a 115 km trail that passes through 8 cities and 7 forest lands. It has areas accessible to equestrian groups and mountain bikes, but is mostly almost completely restricted to walking. Tel. 401 781 8117.
• Block Islands Greenways - 40 km of path through grassy meadows, stone ledges, picturesque swamps surrounded by wildlife. Tel. 401 466 2129.
• Newport's Cliff Walk starts on Memorial Boulevard and then takes you on a 5-kilometer walk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean past Newport's summer mansions.
• Providence River Walk - a river walk along the picturesque banks of Providence, with an inspection of the Venetian-style bridges, the central part of the capital and the historic East Side district.
• Coventry Greenway - a former railway, now a popular cycling and hiking trail, is part of the Coventry Park area. Tel. 401 822 9107.
• Arcadia Management Area Trails is an impressive 14,000-acre sports and outdoor facility in southwestern Rhode Island. Fans of various sports come here, such as mountain biking, swimming, horseback riding and motorcycles. Tel. 401-539-2356.

Entertainment and attractions in Rhode Island

In the 19th century, Rhode Island was the "summer capital" for high society in New England, and the modern secular audience, mainly from New York and Boston, is attracted here primarily by the beaches of the coast and entertainment mass events.

During the summer, Providence hosts the annual Lights on the Water, or Floating Lights Festival, which was established in 1994 and has become a symbol of the city's rebirth. Vibrant performances adorn Providence from May to October.

In the evening, torches and bonfires are lit on three city rivers, and music plays on the banks, vocal groups, circus artists, magicians and acrobats perform.

An atmosphere of general fun reigns, which unites spectators and participants in a single creative impulse.

Newport hosts annual festivals of classical music, jazz and folk. Anyway, Rhode Island is an extremely musical state, there are many national and amateur orchestras.

Of the state's attractions, the most interesting are the Tennis Hall of Fame, the First Baptist Church, founded by Roger Williams in 1638, the oldest topiary park in the country, Roger Williams Park and the Providence Zoo.

Victorian Roger Williams Park, opened in 1878, is located on 430 acres of land with water channels, gardens, gazebos, the Village Carousel, the Museum of Natural History, the Planetarium and its main treasure - the Roger Williams Zoo. This oldest US zoo (opened in 1872) mimics the natural habitat as much as possible for a variety of animals such as elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, giant anteaters, kangaroos, pandas, gibbons and others.

Gambling tourists are also attracted by Rhode Island casinos (Twin River in Lincoln and Newport Grand in Newport), where in addition to slot machines, you can bet on the results of horse racing or dog racing.

02901-02912, 02918, 02919, 02940

Providence is the capital and most populous city in the US state of Rhode Island and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from . He named the area in honor of the "merciful providence" which he believed was responsible for opening up such a haven for him and his followers. The city is located at the mouth of the Providence River at the head of Narragansett Bay.

Providence was one of the first cities in the country to industrialize and became known for its textile industry and subsequent machine tool, jewelry and silverware industries. Today, the city of Providence is home to eight hospitals and seven institutions of higher learning that have shifted the city's economy into the service industry, although it still retains some manufacturing activity. The city was once nicknamed the "Hive of Industry"; it began rebranding itself as "creative capital" in 2009 to highlight its educational resources and arts community.

The city is the third most populous city in New England, after Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts.

story

Providence was settled in June 1636 by Roger Williams and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies. Williams and his companies were forced to leave the Massachusetts Bay Colonies, and Providence quickly became a haven for persecuted religious dissenters, and Williams himself was expelled from Massachusetts.

The city was burned to the ground in March 1676 by the Narragansetts during King Philip's War, despite good relations between the Williams and the sachems, with whom the United New England Colonies were at war. Later that year, the Rhode Island legislature officially banned other colonies for provoking war.

The people of Providence were among the first Patriots to shed blood in the run-up to the American War during the Gaspée Affair of 1772, and Rhode Island was the first of the thirteen colonies to renounce allegiance to the British crown on May 4, 1776. It was the last of the thirteen colonies to ratify the United States Constitution on May 29, 1790, when assurances were made that the Bill of Rights would become part of the Constitution.

After the war, Providence was the nation's ninth largest city with 7,614 people. The economy shifted from maritime efforts to manufacturing, among others, machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry, and textiles. By the early 20th century, Providence was host to some of the largest factories in the country, including Brown and Sharpe, Nicholson File, and Gorham Manufacturing Company.

City Hall was built in 1878

The people of Providence ratified the city's charter in 1831 as the population passed 17,000. The seat of city government was located at Market House in Market Square from 1832 to 1878, which was the geographical and civic center of the city. The city offices outgrew this building, and the city council decided to create a permanent municipal building in 1845. The city offices moved to Providence City Hall in 1878.

Despite new investment, poverty remains an ingrained problem, as it does in all cities. Approximately 27.9 percent of the urban population lives below the poverty line. Recent increases in property prices will further exacerbate the problems for those at income margins, as Providence had the highest increase in median home values ​​of any city in the United States from 2004 to 2005.

geography

Providence city limits Enclosed is a small geographic region with a total area of ​​20.5 square miles (53 km2); 18.5 square miles (48 km2) is its land, and the remaining 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) is water (approximately 10%). Providence is at the head of Narragansett Bay, with the Providence River emptying into the bay through downtown, formed at the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket rivers. The park's amphitheater and riverwalks Waterplace line the riverbanks through downtown.

Providence is one of many cities claimed to be founded on seven hills like Rome. The larger hills are: Constitution Hill (near downtown), College Hill (east of the Providence River), and Federal Hill (west of downtown and contains the large New England Italian area outside of Massachusetts). The other four are: Tockwotten Hill at Fox Point, Smith Hill (where the State House is located), Christian Hill at Hoyle Square (junction of Cranston and Westminster streets) and Weybosset Hill at the lower end of Weybosset Street, which was leveled in the early 1880s .

Neighborhood

Providence skyline view College Hill

Providence has 25 official neighborhoods, although these neighborhoods are often grouped and referred to collectively:

• The East Side is an area that includes the neighborhoods of Blackstone, Hope (a.k.a. Summit), Mount Hope, College Hill, Wayland, and Fox Point.
• The Jewelry District describes the area enclosed by I-95, old I-195, and the Providence River. The City is making efforts to rename this area of ​​District Knowledge to reflect the area's newly emerging life sciences and technology-based economics.
• The North End is formed by the concatenation of the neighborhoods of Charles, Wanskuck, Smith Hill, Elmhurst and Mount Pleasant.
• The South Side (or South Providence) consists of the neighborhoods of Elmwood, Lower South Providence, Upper South Providence, Washington Park, and the West End.
• West Broadway is an officially recognized neighborhood with its own association. It intersects with the southern half of Federal Hill and the northern part of the West End.
• West Side is a vague term sometimes used to refer to Federal Hill, Olneyville, Hartford, and Silver Lake.

urban landscape

The city of Providence is geographically very compact, a characteristic of eastern seaside towns that developed before the use of the automobile. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the country. For this reason, Providence has the eighth highest percentage of pedestrian passengers. The layout of the street is irregular; over one thousand streets (a large number for the size of a city) run haphazardly, connecting and radiating from traditionally bustling places such as the market square.

Downtown Providence has many 19th-century mercantile buildings in Federal and Victorian architectural styles, as well as several postmodernist and modernist buildings located throughout the area. In particular, quite clearly, a spatial division appears between pre-1980s and post-1980s development areas. The West Street Interchange and the Terrace Interchange serve as a rough boundary between the two.

The new area, sometimes referred to as the "Capitol Center", includes the Providence Place Mall (1999), the Providence Hotel Omni (1993) and The Residences of Providence (2007), Gtech Corporation (2006), Waterplace Condominiums (2007), and Waterplace Park (1994). The area is committed to new development, as much of its land was reclaimed in the 1970s from a mass of railroad tracks colloquially referred to as the "Chinese Wall". This part of Downtown is characterized by open spaces, wide roads and landscaping.

The historic part of the city has many cityscapes that look like they did 80 years ago. Many of the state's tallest buildings are located here. The largest structure at 426 feet (130 m) is the Art Deco-styled Industrial National Bank Building (formerly the Industrial Trust Tower). Opposite, next to it is the second tallest One Financial Plaza, designed in a modern skin-tight shell, built half a century later. In between these two 50 Kennedy Plaza. The Textron Tower is also the main building of the modest Providence skyline. The center is also the home of the Providence Biltmore and Westminster Arcade, the oldest indoor mall in the United States, built in 1828.

The city's south waterfront, away from the core center, is the location of many oil storage facilities, a ferry dock, a non-profit sailing center, a bar, strip clubs, and power plants. The Russian Submarine Museum was located here until 2008, when the submarine sank during a storm and was declared a loss. The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier is also located here, built to protect Providence from storm surge like the one it experienced in the 1938 New England Hurricane and again in 1954 from Hurricane Carol.

Most of the urban landscape includes abandoned and revitalized industrial mills, two- and three-deck buildings (although row houses are rare, found so commonly in other Northeast cities), a small number of high-rise buildings (mostly housing the elderly) and single-family homes. Interstate 95 serves as a physical barrier between the commercial core and surrounding areas, such as the cities of Federal Hill and the West End.

Perspective of Westminster Street



Intersection of Weybosset and Westminster streets with Turka Main building on the left

Providence from center exit ramp off I-95

climate

Updated Köppn map shows Providence has moved to a humid subtropical climate

Providence has a racially and ethnically diverse population. In 2010, white Americans formed 49.8% of the population, including a sizable white Hispanic community. Non-Hispanic whites were 37.6% of the total population, down from 89.5% in 1970. Providence has had a significant Italian population since the early 20th century, with 14% of the population claiming Italian ancestry. Italian influence is evident in Providence's Little Italy at Federal Hill. Irish immigrants have also had a significant impact on the city's history, with 8% of residents claiming Irish heritage. The city also has a significant Jewish community, estimated at 10,500 in 2012, or roughly 5% of the city's population.

Map of racial distribution in Providence, 2010 US Census. Each point is 25 people: white , black , Asia , Hispanic or Other(yellow)

crime

Compared to the national average, Providence has an average violent crime rate and a higher property crime rate per 100,000 residents. In 2010, there were 15 homicides, up from 24 in 2009. In 2010, Providence fared more about violent crime than most of its peer cities. Springfield, Massachusetts has about 20,000 fewer residents than Providence but reported 15 homicides in 2009, the same number of homicides as Providence but a slightly higher per capita rate. The police chief said that the violence in Providence is not alien to the unfamiliar, but the relationship is driven. The nature of violent crime was very specific to the neighborhood, with the vast majority of murders taking place in the poor sections of Providence, such as Olneyville, Elmwood, South Providence, and the West End.

economy

Around 1830, providence manufacturing in metallurgy, engineering, textiles, jewelry and silverware. Production has declined since then, but the city is still one of the largest centers for jewelry and silverware design and manufacturing. Services also make up a significant part of the city's economy, particularly in education, health care, and finance. Providence is also the location of the Center Cross-sectional Facility (SCF), the regional center for the United States Postal Service. It is the state capital of Rhode Island, so the city's economy is additionally made up of government services.

Over one third of Providence's economy is based in trade, transportation, utilities, and educational and health services.

Notable companies headquartered in Providence include Fortune 500 Textron, an advanced technology industrial conglomerate; United Natural Products, distributor of natural and organic products; Fortune 1000 Nortek Incorporated; Gilbane, a construction and real estate company; and GTECH Corporation, which recently moved its world headquarters to downtown Providence. Citizens Bank is also headquartered in Providence and is the 15th largest bank in the country.

The city is home to the Rhode Island Convention Center, which opened in December 1993. Along with the hotel, the convention center is connected to the Providence Place Mall, a major shopping mall, via the Skywalk. The Port of Providence is the second largest deep water seaport in New England. It handles cargo such as cement, chemicals, heavy equipment, oil and scrap metal. Providence is also home to some of the toy manufacturer Hasbro's business operations, although their headquarters is in Pawtucket.

Best Employers

According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top twenty employers in the city are:

Government

The state capital of Providence houses the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor in the Rhode Island State House. The city itself has a mayor-council government. The Providence City Council is made up of 15 council members, one for each of the city's wards, who enact ordinances and pass the annual budget. Providence also has probate and higher courts. The US District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located downtown opposite Providence City Hall adjacent to Kennedy Plaza.

The city's first Latino mayor was Angel Taveras, who took office on January 3, 2011. Jorge Elorza succeeded him on January 5, 2015.

education

post-secondary

Hope College and Manning Hall at Brown University

The main campuses of the five colleges and universities of Rhode Island in Providence (city proper):

• Brown University, an Ivy League university and one of nine colonial colleges in the country
• Rhode Island College, the state's oldest community college

In addition, Rhode Island Community College, Roger Williams University, and the University of Rhode Island have satellite campuses in the city. Between these schools, the number of post-secondary students is about 44,000. Higher education has a significant presence in the city's politics and economy, exacerbated by the fact that Brown University is the city's second largest employer.

Private and charter schools

There are several private schools on the East Side, including Moses Brown, the Lincoln School, and the Wheeler School. La Salle Academy is located in the North End (Elmhurst neighborhood), close to Providence College. The public charter schools Time Squared Academy Graduate School (K-12) and Textron Chamber of Commerce (9-12) are funded by GTECH Corporation and Textron respectively. In addition, the City of South Side houses the Community Preparatory School, a private school serving primarily low-income students in grades 3-8. There are two centers for students with special needs.

Comprehensive schools

The Providence Public School District serves approximately 30,000 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The district has 25 elementary schools, nine high schools and thirteen colleges. The Providence Public School District has a magnet of schools at the middle and high school levels, Nathanael Greene and Classical respectively. The overall graduation rate as of 2007 is 70.1%, which is close to the nationwide rate of 71% and the national average of 70%. Rhode Island also operates two public schools in Providence.

culture

Providence Center for the Performing Arts

Much of Providence culture is synonymous with the culture of Rhode Island as a whole. As a state, the city has a non-rhotic accent that can be heard on the local media. Providence also shares Rhode Island's proximity to coffee, with the highest number of coffee and donut shops per capita of any city in the country. Providence is also reputed to have the highest number of restaurants per capita in major US cities, many founded or staffed by Johnson & Wales University alumni.

Providence has several ethnic areas, notably Federal Hill and North End (Italian), Fox Point (Portuguese), West End (mainly Central American and Asians), and Smith Hill (Irish with various enclaves of other groups). There are also many specialized public organizations and arts associations located in the city.

The city has gained a reputation for being one of the most active and growing gay and lesbian communities in the Northeast. The rate of registered gay and lesbian relationships is 75% higher than the national average, and Providence has been named among the "Best Lesbian Places to Live". Former Mayor David Cicilline won his election running as openly gay, former Mayor Cianci established the City Hall's post of ties to gays and lesbians in the 1990s. and Providence is home to the largest gay bathhouse in New England.

During the summer months, the city regularly hosts

Useful information for tourists about Providence in the USA - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Providence is the capital and most populous city in the state of Rhode Island. It is located 80 km from Boston, on seven hills, at the confluence of the Moshassuk, Wunasquatucket and Providence rivers on the banks of Narragansett Bay. Currently, the city with a total area of ​​53.2 sq. km is home to more than 178 thousand people.

The first settlement in present-day Providence was founded by Roger Williams, who was expelled from Massachusetts for his beliefs in religious freedom. In 1636, an English Protestant purchased a piece of land from the Narrangasett Indians. At first, the city served as a place of refuge for religious dissidents of various Christian denominations.

Due to difficulties in cultivating the land and constant conflicts with the Indians, the city developed very slowly. Due to high taxes imposed by the British authorities in the 1770s, the city was forced to join other colonies that did not recognize the metropolitan government. During the Revolutionary War, Providence was not captured by the British. American hospitals and troops were located on its territory.

The war gave impetus to the development of the urban economy. This was especially reflected in the industry of the city, namely, the textile industry, mechanical engineering, and the manufacture of jewelry. This attracted a huge number of emigrants to Providence. As a result, the population of the city increased rapidly. All this lasted until the Great Depression of the 1920s. The twentieth century, when life in the city changed - most of the enterprises were closed. The situation in the city did not improve even after the Second World War: the economy was falling, residents were leaving Providence.

Providence began to gradually revive in the 70s. The city's economy shifted to service industries such as healthcare, education, and tourism. Today, Providence is one of the most remarkable cities in New England.

History and modernity blend harmoniously in Providence. The city is divided into two parts. Historic Providence and the residence halls of Brown University are located on the east side of the river. The city's most famous landmarks are located along the Benefit Street Historic Mile. Only here there are over a hundred houses of different architectural styles.

The city's architectural gems also include the Providence Athenium, a Greek Revival library building. Of interest is the First Baptist Church of America, built in 1774-75, with an interior decorated with beautiful carvings and magnificent crystal chandeliers by Waterford.

Providence is home to the seventh oldest college in the United States and Brown University, founded in 1764, whose buildings are made in the neo-Gothic style.

Of particular interest to visitors to the city are the John Carter Brown Library with an excellent collection of documents and books, as well as the John Hay Library with a first-class collection of memorabilia from the period of Abraham Lincoln's presidency.

The architectural landmarks of the city are also considered to be the John Brown House built in 1786 in the Georgian style and the building of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rhode Island with a wonderful marble dome.

The capital and largest city of the smallest US state is Providence. The city is located on the shores of Narragansett Bay, where the Wunasquatuket, Moshassuk, and Providence rivers flow into it. The territory of the city is spread over seven hills.

The Narragansett Indian tribes lived here before the arrival of the colonists. Roger Williams, expelled from the Massachusetts colony, became the first white settler in these parts. In 1636, he bought land from the Indians, and when he saw it, according to legend, he exclaimed: “God’s merciful Providence!” (Merciful providence of God!). So the new settlement got its name.

In the early years of its existence, Providence was a haven for persecuted believers from other New England colonies of various denominations: Quakers, Baptists, Huguenots, Jews, Anglicans and Catholics. Because of this, it was nicknamed "the gutter of New England" by Puritans in neighboring areas. Later, in the 19th century, Providence turned into a major industrial and economic center of the region, where textile, machine-building enterprises, and jewelry workshops worked.

Modern Providence is a significant tourist center not only for Rhode Island, but for the entire Northeast of the United States. In the historical and business center of the city, many buildings in the Victorian style have been preserved, there are restaurants, galleries, museums, and many parks (including the zoo) are open. To the most