Rhode Island (The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations), or “little Rhodey,” is one of the New England states located in the northeastern United States, on the Atlantic coast. 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 famous for being one of the 13 American colonies that declared their independence from England and united to form the United States.
In the 19th century, Rhode Island was the “summer capital” of New England high society, and modern society, mainly from New York and Boston, is attracted here primarily by the beaches of the coast and entertaining public events, festivals and holidays.
Rhode Island can be called the 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 Narragansett Indians. Leading US politicians, including Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, argued that it was Williams' ideas that became the basis for the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, which enshrines citizens' freedom of religion, speech and public assembly. Modern Rhode Island carefully preserves its historical past, on which the democratic statehood, so revered by Americans, is based, sometimes overly pathetically, but always worthy of respect.
Geography
Rhode Island's neighbors include 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 section of the border with the state of New York. Rhode Island is also called the "Ocean State" due to its extensive coastline. This geographical location is very favorable for summer tourism and recreation, but there is a risk of being exposed to the elements in winter, when strong winds hit the state’s shores, bringing snowstorms and storms.
How to get to Rhode Island
The closest 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 regular bus service. The state also has developed daily rail service between Providence and Boston, New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Search for flights to Providence (closest airport to Rhode Island)
Transport in the region
To travel around Rhode Island, you can choose between a car and regular bus service. The Rhode Island Department of Public Transportation offers 54 regular bus routes and 8 tourist routes.
Tourist buses are stylized to resemble the era of the 1920s.
Hiking, cycling and horseback riding are also especially popular.
Natural attractions
The highest point in Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill (247 meters), located almost on the border with Connecticut. It is privately owned, so excursions to it were prohibited for a long time. There is even a popular joke in Rhode Island that more people have climbed McKinley Peak in Alaska, the tallest mountain in the United States (6,194 meters), than Jerimoth Hill.
An Indian tribe living in the state gave the name to the main bay of the region - Narragansett. The entire eastern part of Rhode Island is lowlands around the bay. The area of Narragansett is approximately 380 square meters. km, it includes more than 30 islands, the largest of which are Aquidneck (or Rhode Island), Conanicut and Prudence.
The western part of the region is a rolling hill with many rivers and streams that are very popular with anglers. Pike and perch are abundant here.
The trout fishing season opens at dawn every year on the second Saturday in April.
The hills of Rhode Island are covered with oak, maple, ash and beech forests, in which hunting and wildlife viewing are permitted.
For those who enjoy exploring coastal ecosystems, Rhode Island is one of the best places on Earth.
Many species of songbirds and wading birds live here. Special routes have been developed for observing and photographing, and many parks have special blinds for these purposes.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Hiking Routes
For the convenience of tourists, enthusiasts have laid out 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 long trail passing through 8 towns and 7 forest lands. Has areas accessible to equestrian groups and mountain bikers, but is mostly limited almost entirely to foot travel. Tel. 401 781 8117.
- Block Islands Greenways - 40 km of trail through grassy meadows, rock ledges, picturesque marshes and surrounded by wildlife. Tel. 401 466 2129.
- Newport's Cliff Walk begins on Memorial Boulevard and then takes you on a 5-kilometer walk past Newport's summer mansions overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- Providence River Walk - a river walk along the picturesque banks of Providence, visiting Venetian-style bridges, the central part of the capital and the historic East Side district.
- The Coventry Greenway, a former railway and now a popular cycling and walking trail, is part of the Coventry Park area. Tel. 401 822 9107.
- Arcadia Management Area Trails is an impressive 14,000-acre sports and tourism complex in southwestern Rhode Island. Fans of various sports come here, such as mountain biking, swimming, horseback riding and motorcycle riding. Tel. 401-539-2356.
Entertainment and attractions in Rhode Island
In the 19th century, Rhode Island was the “summer capital” of New England high society, and modern society, mainly from New York and Boston, is attracted here primarily by the beaches of the coast and entertaining public events.
During the summer, Providence hosts the annual Lights on the Water Festival, or Floating Lights Festival, which was established in 1994 and has become a symbol of the city's renaissance. Spectacular performances grace Providence from May to October.
In the evening, torches and bonfires are lit on the three city rivers, and music is played on the banks, vocal groups, circus performers, magicians and acrobats perform.
An atmosphere of general fun reigns, uniting spectators and participants in a single creative impulse.
Newport hosts annual classical music, jazz and folk festivals. And in general, Rhode Island is an extremely musical state, there are many national and amateur orchestras.
Among 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 waterways, gardens, gazebos, a Village carousel, the Natural History Museum, the Planetarium and its crowning jewel, the Roger Williams Zoo. This oldest zoo in the United States (opened in 1872) simulates the natural habitat as closely 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 to 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 races or greyhound racing.
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 Moshassuck, Woonasquatucket and Providence rivers on the banks of Narragansett Bay. Currently, the city has a total area of 53.2 square meters. km, more than 178 thousand people live.
The first settlement in what is now Providence was founded by Roger Williams, who was exiled from Massachusetts for his beliefs regarding religious freedom. In 1636, an English Protestant purchased a plot 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 city's economy. This especially affected the city’s industry, namely the textile industry, mechanical engineering, and jewelry manufacturing. This attracted a huge number of emigrants to Providence. As a result, the city's population grew rapidly. All this lasted until the Great Depression of the 20s. XX century, when life in the city changed - most enterprises were closed. The situation in the city did not improve after World War II: the economy was declining, residents left Providence.
Providence began to gradually revive in the 70s. The city's economy has refocused on services such as healthcare, education and tourism. Today Providence is one of the most remarkable cities in New England.
In Providence, history and modernity harmoniously combine. The city is divided into two parts. Historic Providence and the Brown University residence halls are located on the east side of the river. The city's most famous landmarks are located along the Historic Benefit Street Mile. Here alone there are over a hundred houses of different architectural styles.
The city's architectural gems also include the Providence Atheneum, a library building in the Greek Revival style. Also interesting 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 its superb collection of documents and books, and the John Hay Library, with its first-class collection of memorabilia from Abraham Lincoln's presidency.
The city's architectural landmarks also include the John Brown House, built in 1786 in the Georgian style, and the Rhode Island State Legislature with its marvelous marble dome.
Providence, Rhode Island
Can't you hear the angels singing, isn't it wonderful?
Strange things are happening in the world. An angel appears to the girl Gloria and demands that she fulfill God's will - to punish a sinner who is guilty to the very core. It soon becomes clear that Gloria is not the only one to whom an angel appeared... And where could this happen, if not in the city of Providence, Rhode Island? So, the Winchester brothers take on a new investigation, gradually coming to the conclusion that perhaps it’s time to retreat so as not to interfere with the angels.
The smallest state in the USA, Rhode Island is not even an island, as its name might suggest; it just has a coastline dotted with small islands and beaches. Although it's known as the Ocean State, half of Rhode Island is wooded, ideal for travel and outdoor recreation. Its two largest cities are Providence and Newport.
Providence (Providence) is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island, USA. Situated on seven hills on the shores of Narragansett Bay, Providence is an interesting mixture of history and modernity. Life here first developed as an agricultural community organized in 1636 by Anglican minister Roger Williams, who had been exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his beliefs regarding religious freedom. The name of the city came from Williams's phrase when he found a place for a new settlement: “God's merciful Providence,” which means “God's merciful providence.” Soon the community turned into a thriving seaport, and then in the 19th century. developed into an industrial center thanks to immigrants pouring into its textile mills to work. Providence became one of the first US cities to take the path of industrialization.
According to the 2005 census, the population within the city limits is 176,862 inhabitants.
Attractions
The city of Providence is divided into two parts by the Providence River. The historic city and Brown University residence halls are located on the east bank of the river. The city's most prominent landmarks are located along the Historic Benefit Street Mile. More than a hundred homes can be seen here, ranging in style from Colonial and Federal to Greek Revival and Victorian. Among its architectural gems is the Providence Atheneum, a Greek Revival-style library whose collection dates back to 1753, to the time of the First Unitarian Church. Its 1,350 kg bell was one of the largest bells cast at Paul Revere's foundry.
Also on Benefit Street is located Rhode Island Museum of Art school of design, whose extensive collections range from Ancient Egyptian to contemporary American art. A short distance north on Main Street is the First Baptist Church of America, built in 1774-1775, with an intricately carved interior and Waterford crystal chandeliers.
Founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh oldest college in the United States and one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools. Its beautiful campus combines Gothic styles and fine art. Outstanding buildings include the John Hay Library with its collection of memorabilia from President Abraham Lincoln, the John Carter Braunas Library with its superb collection of American literature and documents about America, and the Liszt Center for the Arts.
John Brown House, a Georgian mansion built in 1786 by a wealthy merchant and shipowner, has been completely restored. Its interior is decorated with richly decorated ceilings with stucco figures, a huge staircase with twisted railings and wallpaper brought from France. Its 12 rooms house a wealth of fine furniture and antiques from the late 18th century. The city center is decorated Rhode Island State Legislature, built in 1904. Its marvelous marble dome is surmounted by a bronze statue called the Independent Man, symbol of the free spirit of the state of Rhode Island.
The largest green area in the city is Roger Williams Zoo and Landscape Park. Once farmland, this 171-hectare park now features gardens, greenhouses, ponds, lakes with paddle boats and rowboats, jogging and cycling paths, and a tennis center.
Famous townspeople
Providence at the movies
TV series "Providence" (1999-2002, 5 seasons) tells the story of the life of one family in the city of Providence.
Episode 13 of Season 2 of Supernatural takes place in Providence.
02901-02912, 02918, 02919, 02940
Providence is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. 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. He named the area in honor of the "merciful providence" which he believed was responsible for uncovering 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 education, which have shifted the city's economy to the service sector, 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 refuge for persecuted religious dissenters, and Williams himself was driven out of Massachusetts.
The city was burned to the ground in March 1676 by the Narragansetts during King Philip's War, despite good relations between Williams and the sachems with whom the United New England Colonies were at war. Later that year, the Rhode Island legislature officially banned the other colonies for provoking war.
The people of Providence were among the first to shed Patriot blood in the lead-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 country's ninth largest city with 7,614 people. The economy shifted away from maritime efforts to produce, among other things, machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry, and textiles. By the early 20th century, Providence was hosting some of the largest factories in the country, including Brown and Sharp, Nicholson File, and Gorham Manufacturing Company.
The Town Hall was built in 1878
The residents of Providence ratified the city charter in 1831, as the population passed 17,000. The seat of city government was located in the Market House in Market Square from 1832 to 1878, which was the geographic and social center of the city. City offices outgrew this building, and the city council decided to create a permanent municipal building in 1845. Metropolitan offices moved to Providence City Hall in 1878.
Despite new investments, poverty remains an entrenched problem, as it does in all cities. Approximately 27.9 percent of the city's population lives below the poverty line. Recent increases in real estate prices will further exacerbate problems for those at the income limits, as Providence had the highest increase in median home values of any city in the United States from 2004 to 2005.
geography
Providence City Boundaries Enclosed is a small geographic region with a total area of 20.5 square miles (53 km 2); 18.5 square miles (48 km2) of it is 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 flowing into the bay through the city center, formed at the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket rivers. The amphitheater and riverwalks of Waterplace Park line the riverbanks through the city center.
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 Italian New England 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 (the 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 (aka 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 an effort to rename this Area Knowledge Area to reflect this area's newly developing life sciences and technology-based economy.
- 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 half of the West End.
- West Side is a vague term sometimes used to refer to Federal Hill, Olneyville, Hartford, and Silver Lake.
Cityscape
The city of Providence is geographically very compact, a characteristic of eastern coastal cities that developed before the use of the automobile. It is one of the most populous cities in the country. For this reason, Providence has the eighth-highest percentage of pedestrian commuters. The street layout is irregular; over one thousand streets (a large number for the size of the city) are 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 postmodern and modernist buildings located throughout the area. In particular, quite clearly, a spatial division is emerging between the pre-1980s and post-1980s development areas. West Street Exchange and Exchange Terrace serve as rough boundaries between them.
The new area, sometimes called "Capitol Center", includes Providence Place Mall (1999), the Providence Omni Hotel (1993) and The Providence Residences (2007), Gtech Corporation (2006), Waterplace Condominiums (2007), and Waterplace Park (1994). The area has been eager for new development since 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 historical 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 taut skin shell, built half a century later. In between these two is 50 Kennedy Plaza. The Textron Tower is also a major building block for the modest Providence skyline. The center is also home to the Providence Biltmore and Westminster Arcade, the oldest indoor shopping mall in the United States, built in 1828.
The city's southern waterfront, away from the core, is the location of many oil storage tanks, a ferry dock, a non-profit sailing center, bars, 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 Carola.
The majority of the cityscape includes abandoned and revitalized industrial mills, two- and three-decker housing (although row houses are rare, found so common in other Northeastern cities), a small number of high-rise buildings (primarily for senior housing), 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 West End.
Westminster Street perspective
The intersection of Weybosset and Westminster streets with Turk's main building on the left
Providence from the ramp exit center 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, up 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 Little Italy's Providence in Federal Hill. Irish immigrants 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 approximately 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
| providence | |
|---|---|
| Crime rate* (2013) | |
| Violent crimes | |
| murder | 12 |
| robbery | 365 |
| Aggravated assault | 641 |
| Total violent crimes | 1115 |
| Property crimes | |
| berglery | 1828 |
| Stealing theft | 5184 |
| theft Automotive | +962 |
| arson | 22 |
| General property crime | 7974 |
|
Notes * Number of registered crimes per 100,000 population. 2013 Contingent: 178887 Source: 2013 FBI UCR data |
|
Compared to the national average, Providence has an average violent crime rate and a higher property crime rate per 100,000 residents. There were 15 murders in 2010, compared to 24 in 2009. In 2010, Providence had better luck with violent crime than most of its peer cities. Springfield, Massachusetts has about 20,000 fewer residents than Providence, but reported 15 murders in 2009, the same number of murders as Providence, but a slightly higher per capita rate. The police chief said that violence in Providence is not alien to strangers, but relationships are driven. The pattern of violent crime was very neighborhood specific, with the vast majority of murders occurring in the poor sections of Providence, such as Olneyville, Elmwood, South Providence, and the West End.
economy
Around 1830, the providence of manufacturing industries 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 production. Services also make up a large part of the city's economy, particularly in education, health care and finance. Providence is also the location of the Cross Sectional Facility (SCF), a regional center for the United States Postal Service. It is the capital of the state of Rhode Island, so the city's economy additionally consists of government services.
More than one-third of Providence's economy is based in trade, transportation, utilities, and educational and health care 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 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 Providence Place Mall, a major shopping center, 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 are in Pawtucket.
Top Employers
According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top twenty employers in the city are:
| # | employer | # of employees | % Of total city employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown University | +4600 | 4,30% |
| 2 | Rhode Island Hospital | +4200 | 3,93% |
| 3 | Lifespan | +1990 | 1,86% |
| 4 | Women and babies hospital | +1800 | 1,68% |
| 5 | Roger Williams Medical Center | 1470 | 1,38% |
| 6 | Miriam Hospital | 1263 | 1,18% |
| 7 | Bela Corp/Providence Journal | 870 | 0,81% |
| 8 | Mars 2000 | 850 | 0,80% |
| 9 | Providence College | 799 | 0,75% |
| 10 | AAA Southern New England | 700 | 0,66% |
| 11 | Johnson & Wales University | 700 | 0,66% |
| 12 | Butler Hospital | 699 | 0,65% |
| 13 | H. Carr & Sons Inc. | 500 | 0,47% |
| 14 | National Network | 450 | 0,42% |
| 15 | Employment 2000 | 400 | 0,37% |
| 16 | Verizon | 400 | 0,37% |
| 17 | Gilbane Building Co. | 400 | 0,37% |
| 18 | Walmart | 350 | 0,33% |
| 19 | Jewel Case Corp. | 300 | 0,28% |
| 20 | Nordstrom | 300 | 0,28% |
| 21 | Target Corporation | 200 | 0,35% |
Government
The state capital of Providence houses the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor of the Rhode Island State House. The city itself has a mayor council government. The Providence City Council consists of 15 council members, one for each of the city's wards, who enact ordinances and pass the annual budget. Providence also wills and superior courts. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located downtown across from 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 Rhode Island colleges and universities in Providence (the 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 postsecondary students is approximately 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), near Providence College. The public charter schools Time Squared Academy High School (K-12) and Textron Chamber of Commerce (9-12) are funded by GTECH Corporation and Textron respectively. In addition, the city's South Side home is 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
Providence Public School District serves approximately 30,000 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has 25 elementary schools, nine high schools, and thirteen universities. Providence Public School District has magnet 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 national rate of 71%, and the national average is 70%. Rhode Island also operates two public schools in Providence.
culture
Providence Center for the Performing Arts
Much of Providence culture is synonymous with Rhode Island culture as a whole. As a state, the city has a non-rhotic accent, which can be heard on local media. Providence also shares Rhode Island's proximity to coffee, with the most coffee and donut shops per capita of any city in the country. Providence is also reputed to have the largest number of restaurants per capita of major US cities, many of which are founded or staffed by Johnson & Wales University alumni.
Providence has several ethnic neighborhoods, notably Federal Hill and North End (Italian), Fox Point (Portuguese), West End (mainly Central American and Asian), and Smith Hill (Irish with various enclaves of other groups). There are also many specialized community organizations and artistic associations located in the city.
The city has gained a reputation as 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 to serve as an openly gay man; former Mayor Cianci established the City Hall's gay and lesbian liaison position in the 1990s. and Providence is home to the largest gay bathhouse in New England.
During the summer months, the city regularly hosts
On the shores of Narragansett Bay, on seven hills, is the oldest city in this state - Providence. Currently, it represents an interesting cocktail of history and modernity.
It was originally home to an agricultural community. In 1636, this community was formed by the Anglican priest Roger Williams, who was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to statements regarding religious freedom. Quite quickly, this community became a thriving seaport, and thanks to the powerful flow of migrants who wanted to work at its textile enterprises, it became a developed industrial center in the 19th century.
The Providence River divides the city into two parts. The central region is located on its western bank. Thanks to the introduction of a number of innovative projects, this area has recently experienced a rebirth. Here houses were restored, new squares and markets were built, the port was partially rebuilt and partially expanded.
The historic streets, as well as the dormitories of Brown University, are located on the east bank of the river. The Benefit Street Historic Mile deserves special attention. This is a very beautiful three-lane street where you can find more than a hundred houses, ranging in style from Victorian and Greek Revival to feudal and colonial styles.
A true architectural gem is the library building, the Providence Atheneum, built in the Greek Revival style. The oldest masterpieces in her collection date back to the First Unitarian Church (1753). The church bell was at one time recognized as the largest bell cast in the workshop of Paul Revere. Its weight was 1350 kg.
The Rhodesian School of Design Museum of Art is also located on the same street. Its magnificent collections span from Ancient Egyptian to contemporary American art.
A little further north is Main Street with the First Baptist Church of America. It was built in 1774-1775. Particularly noteworthy are the Waterford crystal chandeliers and the magnificent interior, decorated with intricate carvings.
One of the most prestigious Ivy League schools currently is Brown University. It was founded in 1764. At that time, it became the 7th college in the United States. It's worth taking time to explore its magnificent campus, which combines Gothic style and fine art in an original way.
Particularly noteworthy are the John Hay Library, which offers visitors a magnificent collection of memorabilia from President Abraham Lincoln, the John Carter Brown Library, with a first-class collection of American documents and American literature, and the Liszt Center for the Arts.
Your attention will certainly be attracted by the Georgian style mansion - John Brown House. Currently, this mansion, built by a wealthy merchant and shipowner in 1786, has been completely restored. A distinctive feature of its interior were the ceilings decorated with stucco figures, a huge staircase with twisted railings, and wallpaper brought from France. The house has 12 rooms, many of which contain a large amount of antique furniture and other items. Many of them date back to the end of the 18th century.
Nearby is another noteworthy building. This is the home of Governor Stephen Hopkins. It was built in 1707 and its furnishings date back to the 18th century.
Some of the newest and most beautiful additions to downtown Providence are the Riverwalk and Waterplace Park.
The plan for the construction of the Arcade also turned out to be quite an interesting project for renovating the center. This Greek Revival building occupied an entire block in the city's old financial district in 1828.
The green area of the city is represented by a zoo and the magnificent landscaped Roger Williams Park. It is located on an area of 171 hectares, which in the past belonged to farm lands. Today you will find magnificent gardens, lakes with rowboats and paddle boats, ponds, greenhouses, a tennis center, paths for cycling and jogging and much more.
Children can ride a train or carousel, visit the Natural History Museum and Planetarium, and visit the zoo, which has over 900 different animals.
