Changes
m
revised wording and link to reflect David Cicilline article wording re: significance and sexuality
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{short description|capital of Rhode Island}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Providence, Rhode Island
| settlement_type = State capital
| official_name = City of Providence
| image_skyline = Providence Montage Updated.jpg
| imagesize = 310px
| image_caption = Top: Downtown Providence skyline and the [[Providence River]] from the [[Point Street Bridge]]; Middle: [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], University Hall at [[Brown University]], [[Roger Williams Park]], and the [[First Baptist Church in America]]; Bottom: [[WaterFire]] at [[Waterplace Park]], and the [[Rhode Island State House]].
| image_flag = Flag of Providence, Rhode Island.png
| image_seal = Seal of Providence, Rhode Island.svg
| nickname = The Creative Capital, Beehive of Industry, the Renaissance City, the Divine City, PVD, Prov
| motto = "What Cheer?"{{efn|This motto may appear rhetorical, but it was an earnest expression from the traditional account of Roger Williams' arrival in Rhode Island with settlers William Harris, John Smith, Joshua Verin, Thomas Angell, and Francis Wickes.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Bayles |editor-first=Richard M. |title=History of Providence County, Rhode Island|volume=1 |url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofprovide02bayl#page/16/mode/2up/ |year=1891 |location=New York |publisher=W.W. Preston & Co |page=16 |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref> The party was greeted by a group of [[Narragansett people|Narragansetts]], with the description of their exchange:<ref>{{cite book |last=Banvard |first=Joseph |title=A Guide to Providence River and Narragansett Bay from Providence to Newport |url=https://archive.org/stream/guidetoprovidenc00banv#page/16/mode/2up |year=1858 |location=Providence |publisher=Coggeshall & Stewart |page=17 |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref>
<blockquote>Not far from that bridge [over the Blackstone] in a little cove is the famous "Slate Rock," on which it is said that Roger Williams first landed after his tedious and painful flight from the persecutions of his Massachusetts brethren.<br>As he approached the place he was saluted by some friendly Indians with the peaceful enquiry "What Cheer netop?" netop, meaning friend, a phrase which they had acquired from their intercourse with the English and which was equivalent to the salutation "How are you?" or "What's the news?"... It is this incident which is pictured upon the seal of the city of Providence.</blockquote>}}
| image_map = Providence County Rhode Island incorporated and unincorporated areas Providence highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 260px
| map_caption = Location in [[Providence County, Rhode Island|Providence County]] and the state of [[Rhode Island]].
| pushpin_map = USA Rhode Island#USA#North America
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Rhode Island
| pushpin_relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|41|49|25|N|71|25|20|W|region:US-RI|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flagu|United States|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name1 = {{nowrap|{{flagu|Rhode Island|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_name2 = Providence
| established_date =
| established_title1 = Settled
| established_date1 = 1636
| established_title2 = Incorportated (Town)
| established_date2 = June 1636
| established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date3 = November 5, 1832
| founder = [[Roger Williams]]
| government_type = Providence City Council
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[Jorge Elorza]] (D)
| area_magnitude = 1 E8
| area_total_km2 =
| area_total_sq_mi = 20.7
| area_land_km2 =
| area_land_sq_mi = 18.5
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_sq_mi = 2.1
| elevation_m = 23
| elevation_ft = 75
| population_total = 178042
| population_as_of = 2010
| population_density_km2 =
| population_density_sq_mi = 9,676.2
| population_est = 180,393
| pop_est_as_of = 2017
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2016"/>
| population_urban = 1,190,956 (US: 39th)
| population_metro = 1,604,291 (US: 38th)
| population_rank = US: 134th
| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes
| postal_code = 02901–02912, 02918, 02919, 02940
| area_code = 401
| area_code_type = Area code
| website = [http://www.providenceri.com www.providenceri.com]
| footnotes =
| timezone = Eastern Time Zone
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 44-59000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=American FactFinder}}</ref>
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 1219851<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
}}
'''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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Introduction.html|publisher=Advameg, Inc.|title=Providence: Introduction|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> It was founded in 1636 by [[Roger Williams]], a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]. He named the area in honor of "God's merciful Providence" which he believed was responsible for revealing such a haven for him and his followers. The city is situated 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 noted for its textile manufacturing and subsequent machine tool, jewelry, and silverware industries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Providence Architecture|url=http://www.brown.edu/cis/sta/dev/providence_architecture/locations/olneyville/rising_sun_mills/|website=brown.edu|accessdate=15 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kupperman|first1=Karen Ordahl|title=Providence Island, 1630–1641: The Other Puritan Colony|date=June 1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-35205-3|pages=17}}</ref> Today, the city of Providence is home to eight hospitals and seven institutions of higher learning which have shifted the city's economy into service industries, though it still retains some manufacturing activity. The city was once nicknamed the "Beehive of Industry"; it began rebranding itself as the "Creative Capital" in 2009 to emphasize its educational resources and arts community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_SLOGAN_03-30-09_RQDPBQ8_v46.36aa154.html|title='Creative Capital' Providence found inspiration elsewhere |access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref>
The city is the third most populous city in [[New England]] after [[Boston]] and [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], Massachusetts.
==History==
{{Main|History of Providence|Timeline of Providence, Rhode Island}}
[[File:First Baptist Church Providence.jpg|thumb|upright|[[First Baptist Church in America]] is the oldest Baptist congregation in America. It was founded 1638, though the present building was occupied in 1776.]]
Providence was settled in June 1636 by [[Roger Williams]] and was one of the original [[Thirteen Colonies]]. Williams and his company were compelled to leave [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]], and Providence quickly became a refuge for persecuted religious dissenters, as Williams himself had been exiled from Massachusetts.<ref name="3.5-centuries">{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |title=Three and One-Half Centuries at a Glance |publisher=City of Providence, Rhode Island |date=May 2002 |accessdate=January 17, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113213109/http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |archivedate=January 13, 2006 |df= }}</ref>
Providence residents were among the first Patriots to spill blood in the lead-up to the [[American Revolutionary War]] during the [[Gaspée Affair]] of 1772,<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> and Rhode Island was the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown on May 4, 1776.<ref name=KnowRhode>{{cite web|url=http://sos.ri.gov/library/history/independence/ |title=Know Rhode Island, RI Secretary of State |publisher=Sos.ri.gov |date= |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}</ref> It was also the last of the Thirteen Colonies to ratify the [[United States Constitution]] on May 29, 1790, once assurances were made that a [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] would become part of the Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usconstitution.net/rat_ri.html |title=Rhode Island Ratification of the U.S. Constitution |publisher=Usconstitution.net |date=January 8, 2010 |accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Market Square Providence in 1844.jpg|thumb|right|[[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]] was the center of civic life in the 19th Century, and [[Market House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Market House]] was home to the city council before [[Providence City Hall]] was built.<ref name="cady">{{cite journal|last1=Cady|first1=John Hutchins|title=The Providence Market House and its neighborhood|journal=Rhode Island History|publisher=Rhode Island Historical Society|date=October 1952|volume=11|issue=4|pages=97–106|url=http://www.rihs.org/assetts/files/publications/1952_Oct.pdf|accessdate=April 9, 2015}}</ref>]]
Following the war, Providence was the country's ninth-largest city{{efn|Providence was listed as a town (not a city) by the US Census Bureau until the Census of 1840 because city status in the [[New England]] states is conferred by the form of government, not by population. Providence retained the title of ninth-largest settlement until the Census of 1810.}}<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> with 7,614 people. The economy shifted from maritime endeavors to manufacturing, in particular machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry, and textiles. By the start of the 20th century, Providence hosted some of the largest manufacturing plants in the country, including [[Brown & Sharpe]], Nicholson File, and [[Gorham Manufacturing Company]].
[[File:ProvidenceCityHall1881.png|right|thumb|upright|City Hall was built in 1878]]
Providence residents ratified a city charter in 1831 as the population passed 17,000.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> The seat of city government was located in the [[Market House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Market House]]<ref name=Campbell>{{cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Paul|title=A Brief History of Providence City Hall|url=https://www.providenceri.com/archives/history|website=City Archives|publisher=City of Providence|accessdate=April 10, 2015}}</ref> in [[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]] from 1832 to 1878, which was the geographic and social center of the city. The city offices outgrew this building, and the City Council resolved to create a permanent municipal building in 1845.<ref name=Campbell /> The city offices moved into the [[Providence City Hall]] in 1878.
During the [[American Civil War]], local politics split over slavery as many had ties to Southern cotton. Despite ambivalence concerning the war, the number of military volunteers routinely exceeded quota, and the city's manufacturing proved invaluable to the Union. Providence thrived after the war, and waves of immigrants brought the population from 54,595 in 1865 to 175,597 by 1900.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/>
By the early 1900s, Providence was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States.<ref name="Stanton" /> Immigrant labor powered one of the nation's largest industrial manufacturing centers.<ref name="Stanton">{{cite book|last1=Stanton|first1=Mike|title=The Prince of Providence|date=2003|publisher=Random House|location=New York|isbn=0-375-75967-0|page=7}}</ref> Providence was a major manufacturer of industrial products, from steam engines to precision tools to silverware, screws, and textiles. Giant companies were based in or near Providence, such as Brown & Sharpe, the [[Corliss Steam Engine]] Company, [[Babcock & Wilcox]], the Grinnell Corporation, the Gorham Manufacturing Company, Nicholson File, and the [[Fruit of the Loom]] textile company.<ref name="Stanton" />
[[File:N3419822 37931820 6163Providence.jpg|thumb|right|People gathering in Waterplace Park, opened in 1994, just before a WaterFire event. On the left can be seen the [[Waterplace]] condominiums constructed in 2008. The entire area had been covered in railroad tracks, and the river was covered with paved bridges until the late 1980s.]]
From 1975 until 1982, $606 million of local and national community development funds were invested throughout the city. In the 1990s, the city pushed for revitalization, uncovering the rivers (which had been covered by paved bridges), relocating a large section of railroad underground, creating [[Waterplace Park]] and river walks along the rivers' banks, and constructing the Fleet Skating Rink (now the Alex and Ani City Center)<ref name=alexandani>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexandanicitycenter.com/ice-skating|title=Alex and Ani City Center|publisher=The Providence Rink|accessdate=February 11, 2017}}</ref> and the [[Providence Place]] Mall.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/>
Despite new investment, poverty remains an entrenched problem, as it does in all cities. Approximately 27.9 percent of the city population is living below the poverty line.<ref name=poverty>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |title=Providence (city), Rhode Island – QuickFacts |publisher=US Census Bureau |date=2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |archivedate=January 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Recent increases in real estate values further exacerbate problems for those at marginal income levels, as Providence had the highest rise in median housing price of any city in the United States from 2004 to 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top25s/homeapprec.html |publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP|title=Money Magazine: Best Places to Live: Home Appreciation|accessdate=March 6, 2007}}</ref>
==Geography==
[[File:Providence Rhode Island (1).jpg|thumb|right|Astronaut photograph of Providence, Rhode Island taken from the [[International Space Station]] (ISS)]]
The Providence city limits enclose a small geographical region with a total area of {{convert|20.5|sqmi|km2}}; {{convert|18.5|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and the remaining {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} is water (roughly 10%). Providence is located at the head of [[Narragansett Bay]], with the [[Providence River]] running into the bay through the center of the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Geography-and-Climate.html|publisher=Advameg, Inc.|title=Providence: Geography and Climate|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> formed by the confluence of the [[Moshassuck River|Moshassuck]] and [[Woonasquatucket River|Woonasquatucket]] Rivers. The Waterplace Park amphitheater and riverwalks line the river's banks through [[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|downtown]].
Providence is one of many cities claimed to be [[List of cities claimed to be built on seven hills|founded on seven hills]] like Rome. The more prominent hills are: Constitution Hill (near downtown), College Hill (east of the Providence River), and [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] (west of downtown and containing New England's largest Italian district outside of Massachusetts). The other four are: Tockwotten Hill at [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1= Seth|title=Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff |url= https://books.google.com/?id=DdU9NHiX3OcC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=providence+college+hill+constitution+federal+tockwotten+christian+smith&q=providence%20college%20hill%20constitution%20federal%20tockwotten%20christian%20smith|accessdate= July 4, 2010|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn= 978-0-7627-4338-4|page=6 |date=September 1, 2007}}</ref>
===Neighborhoods===
[[File:Providence Neighborhoods Map.svg|right|thumb|Providence neighborhoods with major highways shown, (Technical Note, this map has been deprecated because of relocation of Interstate 195)]]
[[File:Textronside from college hill.jpg|thumb|The Providence skyline viewed from College Hill]]
{{Main|Neighborhoods in Providence}}
Providence has 25 official neighborhoods, though these neighborhoods are often grouped together and referred to collectively:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/NeighborhoodMap_c.html |publisher=City of Providence |title=Providence Neighborhoods|accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref><ref name=altnames>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/altnames.html |title=Alternative Neighborhood Names |publisher=The Providence Plan |year=2007 |accessdate=January 31, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004352/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/altnames.html |archivedate = September 28, 2007}}</ref>
* The [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]] is a region comprising the neighborhoods of [[Blackstone, Providence, Rhode Island|Blackstone]], [[Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Hope]] (aka Summit), [[Mount Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Hope]], [[College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|College Hill]], [[Wayland, Providence, Rhode Island|Wayland]], and [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]].
* The [[Jewelry District, Providence, Rhode Island|Jewelry District]] describes the area enclosed by I-95, the old I-195, and the [[Providence River]]. The city has made efforts to rename this area the Knowledge District to reflect the area's newly developing life sciences and technology-based economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbn.com/Brown-University-purchases-198-Dyer-St-for-6-million-for-continuing-education-program,56483|title=Brown University continues Knowledge District expansion, buys building for $6M|publisher=Providence Business News|accessdate=May 4, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318220304/http://www.pbn.com/Brown-University-purchases-198-Dyer-St-for-6-million-for-continuing-education-program,56483|archivedate=March 18, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/JEWELRY_DISTRICT_NAME_06-08-10_A4IPME0_v17.191cb65.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613044452/http://www.projo.com/news/content/JEWELRY_DISTRICT_NAME_06-08-10_A4IPME0_v17.191cb65.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=The Providence Journal Co. |accessdate=May 4, 2011 |title='Jewelry District,' ‘'Knowledge District': What's in a name? |df= }}</ref>
* The North End is formed by the concatenation of the neighborhoods of [[Charles, Providence, Rhode Island|Charles]], [[Wanskuck, Providence, Rhode Island|Wanskuck]], [[Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Smith Hill]], [[Elmhurst, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmhurst]], and [[Mount Pleasant, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Pleasant]].
* The [[South Side, Providence, Rhode Island|South Side]] (or South Providence) consists of the neighborhoods of [[Elmwood, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmwood]], [[Lower South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Lower South Providence]], [[Upper South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Upper South Providence]], [[Washington Park, Providence, Rhode Island|Washington Park]], and the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]].
* West Broadway is an officially recognized neighborhood with its own association. It overlaps with the southern half of [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the northern part of the West End.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbna.org|title=West Broadway Neighborhood Association|publisher=WBNA|accessdate=July 30, 2007}}</ref>
* The West Side is a vague term sometimes used to mean the [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], [[Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island|Olneyville]], [[Hartford, Providence, Rhode Island|Hartford]], and [[Silver Lake, Providence, Rhode Island|Silver Lake]].
===Cityscape===
[[File:Downtown Providence, Rhode Island.jpg|thumb|[[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|Downtown Providence]] and the [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]], 2010. Note the demolition of the previous [[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island–Massachusetts)|I-195]] as part of the [[Iway]] project.]]
:{{see also|List of tallest buildings in Providence}}
The city of Providence is geographically very compact, characteristic of [[East Coast of the United States|eastern seaboard]] cities that developed prior to use of the automobile. It is among the [[List of United States cities by population density|most densely populated cities in the country]]. For this reason, Providence has the [[List of U.S. cities with most pedestrian commuters|eighth-highest percentage]] of pedestrian commuters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/census-lookup.php?state_select=*&lower_pop=50000&upper_pop=250000&sort_num=2&show_rows=25&first_row=0 |publisher=Bikes At Work Inc.|title=Carfree Database Results|accessdate=June 5, 2007}} Out of cities over 100,000 in population</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/census-lookup.php?state_select=*&lower_pop=250000&upper_pop=999999999&sort_num=2&show_rows=25&first_row=0 |publisher=Bikes At Work Inc.|title=Carfree Database Results|accessdate=June 5, 2007}} Out of cities over 100,000 in population</ref> The street layout is irregular; more than one thousand streets (a great number for the city's size) run haphazardly, connecting and radiating from traditionally bustling places such as [[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/Providence/article271.html |publisher=USGenWeb Project|title=History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations|author=Albert J. Wright|accessdate=June 23, 2011}}</ref>
Downtown Providence has numerous 19th-century mercantile buildings in the [[Federal style architecture|Federal]] and [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] architectural styles, as well as several post-modern and modernist buildings located throughout the area. In particular, a fairly clear spatial separation appears between the areas of pre-1980s development and post-1980s development. West Exchange Street and Exchange Terrace serve as rough boundaries between the two.
The newer area, sometimes called "Capitol Center",<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |pages=303–304}}</ref> includes [[Providence Place Mall]] (1999), the [[Omni Providence Hotel]] (1993) and [[The Residences at the Westin|The Residences Providence]] (2007), [[GTECH Corporation]] (2006), [[Waterplace]] condominiums (2007), and Waterplace Park (1994). The area tends toward newer development, since much of it is land reclaimed in the 1970s from a mass of railroad tracks referred to colloquially as the "Chinese Wall".<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |page=13 }}</ref> This part of Downtown is characterized by open spaces, wide roads, and landscaping.
The historic part of downtown has many streetscapes that look as they did 80 years ago. Many of the state's tallest buildings are found here. The [[List of tallest buildings in Providence|largest structure]] at {{convert|426|ft|m}} is the [[art deco]]-styled [[Industrial National Bank Building]] (formerly Industrial Trust Tower).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125380|title=Bank of America Building, Providence|publisher=Emporis |year=2007 |accessdate=January 19, 2007}}</ref> By contrast, nearby to it is the second tallest [[One Financial Plaza]], designed in modern taut-skin cladding, constructed a half-century later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125377 |title=One Financial Plaza|year=2006 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=June 5, 2006}}</ref> In between the two is [[50 Kennedy Plaza]]. The [[Textron Tower]] is also a core building to the modest Providence skyline. Downtown is also the home of the [[Providence Biltmore]] and [[Westminster Arcade]], the oldest enclosed shopping mall in the U.S., built in 1828.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=101896 |title=Providence Buildings, Real Estate, Architecture, Skyscrapers, and Construction Database |year=2005 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=November 7, 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050529062647/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=101896 |archivedate=May 29, 2005 |df=}}</ref>
The city's southern waterfront, away from the downtown core, is the location of many oil tanks, a docking station for a ferry boat, a non-profit sailing center, bars, strip clubs, and power plants. The [[Soviet submarine K-77|Russian Submarine Museum]] was located here until 2008, when the submarine sank in a storm and was declared a loss. The [[Fox Point Hurricane Barrier]] is also found here, built to protect Providence from [[storm surge]] like that which it endured in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938|1938 New England Hurricane]] and again in 1954 from [[Hurricane Carol]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.htm|publisher=The Providence Biltimore|title=History: A Rhode Island Tradition|accessdate=July 11, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203235/http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.htm |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref>
The majority of the cityscape comprises abandoned and revitalized industrial mills, double- and [[triple-decker]] housing (though [[townhome|row houses]] are rare, found so commonly in other Northeast cities),<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |page=227 }}</ref> a small number of high-rise buildings (predominantly for housing the elderly), and single family homes. [[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|Interstate 95]] serves as a physical barrier between the city's commercial core and neighborhoods such as [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]].
<gallery widths="154px" heights="200px" class="center" caption="">
File:Westminsterstreet.JPG|Perspective of Westminster Street
File:Providence big three.jpg|Downtown Providence at [[Burnside Park, Providence, Rhode Island|Burnside Park]]
File:Providence RI skyline2.jpg|The [[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|Downtown Providence]] skyline, viewed from [[College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|College Hill]] on the [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|city's East Side]]
File:Waterplacepark.JPG|[[Waterplace Park]]
File:TurkBuildingAtTheSection.jpg|Intersection of Weybosset and Westminster Streets with Turk's Main Building on the left
File:Exitramp.JPG|Providence from downtown exit ramp off I-95
</gallery>
===Climate===
[[File:Rhode Island Köppen.png|thumb|left|200px|Updated Koppen map shows Providence has moved up to a humid subtropical climate]]
Providence has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa'') with warm summers, cold winters, and high humidity year-round. The [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] places the city in [[hardiness zone]] 6b, with the suburbs in zones 6a – 7b.<ref>{{cite web|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=June 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|archive-date=February 27, 2014|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The influence of the Atlantic Ocean keeps the state of Rhode Island<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-rhode-island-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php |title=Rhode Island USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher= |date= |accessdate=November 22, 2010}}</ref> warmer than many inland locales in New England.<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html
|title = USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
|publisher = US Department of Agriculture – The United States National Arboretum
|date = March 2, 2006
|accessdate = January 19, 2007
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150303152208/http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html
|archivedate = March 3, 2015
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=RI
|title = Rhode Island ISDA Hardiness Zone Map
|year = 2000
|publisher = growit.com
|accessdate = January 19, 2007
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://archive.is/20010107195400/http://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=RI
|archivedate = January 7, 2001
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref> January is the coldest month with a daily mean of {{convert|29.2|°F|1}} and low temperatures dropping to {{convert|10|°F|0}} or lower an average of 11 days per winter,<ref name= NOAA/> while July is the warmest month with a daily mean of {{convert|73.5|°F|1}} and highs rising to {{convert|90|°F|0}} or higher an average of 10 days per summer.<ref name = NOAA /> Extremes range from {{convert|-17|F|1|disp=or}} on February 9, 1934 to {{convert|104|°F|disp=or}} on August 2, 1975;<ref name=TWC>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/02906?from=36hr_bottomnav_fitness |title=Monthly average temperatures and precipitation|publisher=The Weather Channel
|accessdate=2009-08-30
}}</ref> the record cold daily maximum is {{convert|1|°F|1}} on February 5, 1918, while the record warm daily minimum is {{convert|80|°F|1}} on June 6, 1925.<ref name = NOAA/> Temperature readings of {{convert|0|°F|1|disp=or}} or lower are uncommon in Providence and generally occur once every several years. The year which had the most days with a temperature reading of zero degrees or lower was 2015 with eight days total—one day in January and seven days in February.<ref name = NOAA/> Conversely, temperature readings of {{convert|100|°F|1|disp=or}} or higher are even rarer, and the year with the most days in this category was 1944 with three days, all of which were in August.<ref name = NOAA/>
Monthly precipitation in Providence ranges from a high of {{convert|4.43|in|mm|1}} in March to a low of {{convert|3.17|in|mm|1}} in July.<ref name = TWC /> In general, precipitation levels are slightly less in the summer months than the winter months, when [[Nor'easter]]s can cause significant snowfall and [[blizzard]] conditions. [[tropical cyclone|Hurricanes]] are not frequent in coastal [[New England]], although Providence's location at the head of Narragansett Bay makes it vulnerable to them.
<div style="width: 83%;">
{{Providence, Rhode Island weatherbox}}
</div>
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 6380
|1800= 7614
|1810= 10070
|1820= 11767
|1830= 16833
|1840= 23171
|1850= 41513
|1860= 50666
|1870= 68904
|1880= 104857
|1890= 132146
|1900= 175597
|1910= 223326
|1920= 237595
|1930= 252981
|1940= 253504
|1950= 248674
|1960= 207498
|1970= 179213
|1980= 156804
|1990= 160728
|2000= 173618
|2010= 178042
|estyear=2017
|estimate=180393
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
|footnote=Largest Cities and Other<br />Urban Places in the United<br />States: 1790 to 1990.<ref name=population>{{cite web|author=Gibson, Campbell|date=June 1998|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html|title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau – Population Division|accessdate=January 17, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314031958/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html|archivedate=March 14, 2007|df= }}</ref><br />2013 Estimate<ref name="2013 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=March 15, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161634/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|archivedate=May 22, 2014|df= }}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Demographic profile !! 2010<ref name=demographics/> !! 1990<ref name="pop1"/> !! 1970<ref name="pop1"/> !! 1950<ref name="pop1"/>
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 49.8% || 69.9% || 90.0% || 96.5%
|-
| —[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic]] || 37.6% || 64.5% || 89.5%<ref name="fifteen">From 15% sample</ref> || N/A
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]] || 16.0% || 14.8% || 8.9% || 3.3%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 38.1% || 15.5% || 0.8%<ref name="fifteen"/> || N/A
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 6.4% || 5.9% || 0.5% || 0.1%
|}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, the population consisted of 173,618 people, 162,389 households, and 35,859 families. The population density was 9,401.7 inhabitants per square mile (3,629.4/km²), characteristic of comparatively older cities in [[New England]] such as [[New Haven, Connecticut]], [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], and [[Hartford, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html|title=Providence (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|publisher=US Census Bureau|accessdate=January 18, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html|archivedate=January 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Its population peaked in the 1940s, just prior to the nationwide period of rapid [[suburbanization]].
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,<ref name=demographics>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |title=Providence (city), Rhode Island |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=April 22, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |archivedate=January 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> down from 89.5% in 1970.<ref name="pop1">{{cite web |title=Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archivedate=August 6, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Providence has had a substantial Italian population since the start of the 20th century, with 14% of the population claiming Italian ancestry.<ref name=bycountry>{{cite web|url=http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/rhode-island/providence|title=Providence, Rhode Island|publisher=Moving Traffic, Inc.|accessdate=April 1, 2009}} (Click on People tab)</ref> Italian influence manifests itself in Providence's Little Italy in [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/fedhill.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Federal Hill|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> Irish immigrants have also had considerable influence on the city's history, with 8% of residents claiming Irish heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=13448|title=Providence—Ancestry & Family History|accessdate=June 19, 2007|publisher=ePodunk Inc.}}</ref> The city also has a sizeable Jewish community, estimated at 10,500 in 2012 or roughly 5% of the city's population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishdatabank.org/Reports/Jewish_Population_in_the_United_States_2010.pdf|title=Jewish Population in the United States, 2010|accessdate=October 29, 2012|publisher=North American Jewish Data Bank|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912030237/http://www.jewishdatabank.org/Reports/Jewish_Population_in_the_United_States_2010.pdf|archivedate=September 12, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Providence (5560421430).png|thumb|left|Map of racial distribution in Providence, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: <span style="color:#ff0000">'''White'''</span>, <span style="color:#0000ff">'''Black'''</span>, <span style="color:#00ff80">'''Asian'''</span>, <span style="color:#ff8000">'''Hispanic'''</span> or '''Other''' (yellow)]]
In 2010, people of [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] origin composed 38.1% of the city's population and currently form a majority of city public school students.<ref name=demographics/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/case_studies/05V05_Providence.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Southern Regional Education Board|page=2|title=The Providence Public School Department and The University of Rhode Island Partnership|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/case_studies/05V05_Providence.pdf |archivedate = June 14, 2007}}</ref> The largest Hispanic groups are those having origins in [[Puerto Rico]], [[Colombia]], [[Bolivia]], the [[Dominican Republic]], and [[Guatemala]]. Hispanics are most concentrated in the neighborhoods of [[Elmwood, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmwood]], the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]], and [[Upper South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Upper]] and [[Lower South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Lower South Providence]].<ref name=hispanic>{{cite web|url=http://www.rifoundation.org/matriarch/documents/latino_1_2%281%29.pdf|format=PDF|title=Geographic Concentration of the Latino Population|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.rifoundation.org/matriarch/documents/latino_1_2%281%29.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007}}</ref> The city elected its first Hispanic mayor in 2010, [[Dominican-American]] Angel Taveras.
[[African American (U.S. Census)|African Americans]] constitute 16%<ref name=demographics/> of the city's population, with their greatest concentrations found in [[Mount Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Hope]] and the Upper and Lower South Providence neighborhoods.<ref name=census>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US4459000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US44%7C16000US4459000&_street=&_county=Providence&_cityTown=Providence&_state=04000US44&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |publisher=US Census Bureau|title=Providence City, Rhode Island|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name=racebyplace>{{cite web|url=http://local.provplan.org/profiles/cw_mrpeo.html|publisher=The Providence Plan|title=Maps & Rankings: People|accessdate=January 15, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130415152917/http://local.provplan.org/profiles/cw_mrpeo.html|archivedate=April 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asians]] are 6% of Providence's population and have enclaves scattered throughout the city. The largest Asian groups are [[Cambodian American|Cambodians]] (1.7%), [[Chinese American|Chinese]] (1.1%), [[Indian American|Asian Indians]] (0.7%), [[Laotian American|Laotians]] (0.6%), and [[Korean American|Koreans]] (0.6%).<ref name=racebyplace/> Another 6% of the city has multiracial ancestry. American Indians and Pacific Islanders make up the remaining 1.3%. Liberians compose 0.4% of the population;<ref name=bycountry/> the city is home to one of the largest Liberian immigrant populations in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6550625|publisher=NPR|accessdate=April 17, 2010|title=Thousands of Liberians in U.S. Face Deportation}}</ref>
Providence has a considerable community of immigrants from various [[Lusophone|Portuguese-speaking]] countries, especially Portugal, Brazil, and [[Cape Verde]], living mostly in the areas of Washington Park and [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/ONS/neighborhoods/fox-point|title=Fox Point|publisher=City of Providence|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/wpk_bk.html |title=Washington Park|publisher=The Providence Plan|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193116/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/wpk_bk.html |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bosfed.org/commdev/c&b/2004/Fall/Immigrants.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of Boston|title=Who are New England's Immigrants?|author1=Manie Marcuss |author2=Ricardo Borgos |lastauthoramp=yes |page=4|accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> Portuguese is the city's third-largest European ethnicity, after Italian and Irish, at 4% of the population; Cape Verdeans compose 2%.<ref name=bycountry/>
The [[Providence metropolitan area]] includes Providence, [[Fall River, Massachusetts]], and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]], and is estimated to have a population of 1,622,520. In 2006, this area was officially added to the Boston Combined Statistical Area (CSA), the [[Table of United States Combined Statistical Areas|sixth-largest CSA in the country]]. In the last 15 years, Providence has experienced a sizable growth in its under-18 population. The median age of the city is 28 years, while the largest age [[cohort (statistics)|cohort]] is 20- to 24-year-olds, owing to the city's large student population.<ref name=demographics/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://providence.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm |publisher=MDNH, Inc.|title=Providence Population and Demographics|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref>
The [[per capita income]] as of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] was $15,525, which is well below both the state average of $29,113<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0104652.html |publisher=HighBeam Research, LLC|title=Per Capital Personal Income by State|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref> and the national average of $21,587.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kprof00-us.pdf|format=PDF|title=U.S. Summary: 2000|page=4|accessdate=June 10, 2007|publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The median income for a household was $26,867, and the median income for a family in Providence was $32,058, according to the 2000 census. The city has one of the highest rates of poverty in the nation with 29.1% of the population and 23.9% of families living below the [[poverty line]] in 2000, the largest concentrations being found in the city's [[Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island|Olneyville]], and Upper and Lower South Providence areas.<ref name=poverty/><ref name=povmap>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/cw_mrecon.html |title=Maps & Rankings: Economics|accessdate=June 10, 2007|publisher=The Providence Plan|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193121/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/cw_mrecon.html |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref> Poverty has affected children at a disproportionately higher rate, with 40.1% of those under the age of 18 living below the poverty line, concentrated west of downtown in the neighborhoods of [[Hartford, Providence, Rhode Island|Hartford]], [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], and Olneyville.<ref name=povmap/>
===Crime===
{{Infobox UCR
|city_name= Providence
|year= 2013
|homicide= 12
|rape= 97
|robbery= 365
|aggravated_assault= 641
|violent_crime= 1,115
|burglary= 1,828
|larceny_theft= 5,184
|motor_vehicle_theft= 962
|arson= 22
|property_crime= 7,974
|source_url= https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/table-8/table-8-state-cuts/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_rhode-island_by_city_2013.xls
|source_name= 2013 FBI UCR Data
|notes= 2013 population: 178,887
}}
Compared to the national average, Providence has an average rate of violent crime and a higher rate<ref name=numbers>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/table-6|title=FBI Crime Report|publisher=FBI.com|accessdate=May 28, 2011}}</ref> of property crime per 100,000 inhabitants.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Providence&state=RI|title=Providence Crime Report ''City Ranking''|publisher=CityRating.com|accessdate=December 8, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919102702/http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Providence&state=RI|archivedate=September 19, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2010, there were 15 murders, down from 24 in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-murder-rate-declined-in-2010 |title=Providence Murder Rate Fell In 2010 |publisher=WPRI.com |date=January 10, 2011 |accessdate=July 10, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116214524/http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-murder-rate-declined-in-2010 |archivedate=January 16, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2010, Providence fared better regarding violent crime than most of its peer cities. [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] has approximately 20,000 fewer residents than Providence but reported 15 murders in 2009, the same number of homicides as Providence but a slightly higher rate per capita.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/crime_watch/springfield-ma-murders-2010|publisher=WWLP-TV|accessdate=June 7, 2011|title=Springfield, Ma Murders 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901000814/http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/crime_watch/springfield-ma-murders-2010|archivedate=September 1, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The police chief asserted that Providence's violence was not stranger-to-stranger, but relationship-driven.<ref name=projomurder>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_MURDERS_12-20-09_42GQKAD_v32.3991943.html?ocp=2#slcgm_comments_anchor|title=Providence's Murder Rate Spikes in 2009|publisher=Providence Journal|accessdate=December 22, 2009}}</ref> The pattern of violent crime was highly specific by neighborhood, with the vast majority of the murders taking place in the poorer sections of Providence such as Olneyville, Elmwood, South Providence, and the West End.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://local.provplan.org/profiles/tables/crime/increpbyhood_2007_sorted.pdf|title=Violent Crime (Murder, Rape, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault)|publisher=Provplan|accessdate=June 6, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928232309/http://local.provplan.org/profiles/tables/crime/increpbyhood_2007_sorted.pdf|archivedate=September 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==Economy==
Around 1830, Providence had manufacturing industries in metals, machinery, textiles, jewelry, and silverware. Manufacturing has declined since, but the city is still one of the largest centers for jewelry and silverware design and manufacturing. Services also make up a large portion of the city's economy, in particular education, healthcare, and finance. Providence also is the site of a [[sectional center facility]] (SCF), a regional hub for the U.S. Postal Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actonelists.com/resources/zip.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623045035/http://www.actonelists.com/resources/zip.html|archivedate=June 23, 2007|title=Sectional Center Facility Chart |publisher=Act One Lists|accessdate=June 16, 2007}}</ref> It is the capital of Rhode Island, so the city's economy additionally consists of government services.
[[File:Prov-econ.png|thumb|Over one third of Providence's economy is based in trade, transportation, utilities, and educational and health services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Providence Economy |publisher=Advameg Inc. |work=City-Data.com |year=2007 |url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Economy.html |accessdate=March 13, 2007}}</ref>]]
[[File:Providencetextronside.JPG|thumb|[[Textron Tower|Textron's headquarters]], [[Sovereign Bank Tower (Providence)|One Financial Plaza]], and the Rhode Island Hospital Trust building]]
Prominent companies headquartered in Providence include Fortune 500 [[Textron]], an advanced technologies industrial conglomerate; [[United Natural Foods]], a distributor of natural and organic foods; Fortune 1000 Nortek Incorporated; Gilbane, a construction and real estate company; and GTECH Corporation, which recently moved its world headquarters to downtown Providence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gtech.com/media/fact_sheet.asp?persist=8C934E72427B4F958B9C876926B4BE4A|publisher=GTECH Corporation|title=GTECH Corporation – Company Fact Sheet|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070621051455/http://www.gtech.com/media/fact_sheet.asp?persist=8C934E72427B4F958B9C876926B4BE4A |archivedate = June 21, 2007}}</ref> [[Citizens Financial Group|Citizens Bank]] is also headquartered in Providence and is the 15th largest bank in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/03/24/ranking-the-50-biggest-u-s-banks-from-bofa-to-commerce-bancshares/|title=Ranking the 50 Biggest U.S. Banks: From BofA to Commerce Bancshares|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|accessdate=June 6, 2011|first=Stephen|last=Grocer|date=March 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/history.aspx |publisher=Citizens Financial Group|title=Ownership and History|accessdate=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
The city is home to the Rhode Island Convention Center, which opened in December 1993.<ref name=convention>{{cite web|url=http://www.riconvention.com/why_us/ricc_whyus.html |publisher=Rhode Island Convention Center|title=Rhode Island Convention Center – About Us?|accessdate=June 5, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070604233240/http://www.riconvention.com/why_us/ricc_whyus.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = June 4, 2007}}</ref> Along with a hotel, the convention center is connected to the [[Providence Place|Providence Place Mall]], a major retail center, through a [[skywalk]].<ref name=convention/> The Port of Providence is the second largest deep-water seaport in New England.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port of Providence|url=http://www.pwrr.com/development/pw-served-ports/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426144123/http://www.pwrr.com/development/pw-served-ports/|dead-url=yes|archive-date=26 April 2016|website=pwrr.com|accessdate=15 May 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=economy>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Economy.html|publisher=Advameg Inc. |work=City-Data.com|title=Providence: Economy—Major Industries and Commercial Activity|accessdate=June 3, 2007}}</ref> It handles cargos such as cement, chemicals, heavy machinery, petroleum, and scrap metal. Providence is also home to some of toy manufacturer [[Hasbro]]'s business operations, although their headquarters are in Pawtucket.
===Top employers===
According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.providenceri.com/efile/5902|title=City of Providence, Rhode Island Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]|page=121|accessdate=March 15, 2015|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> the top twenty employers in the city are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
! % of Total city employment
|-
|1
||[[Brown University]]
|4,600
|4.30%
|-
|2
|[[Rhode Island Hospital]]
|4,200
|3.93%
|-
|3
|Life Span
|1,990
|1.86%
|-
|4
|[[Women & Infants Hospital]]
|1,800
|1.68%
|-
|5
|[[Roger Williams Medical Center]]
|1,470
|1.38%
|-
|6
|[[Miriam Hospital]]
|1,263
|1.18%
|-
|7
|[[Belo|Belo 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 Grid plc|National Grid]]
|450
|0.42%
|-
|15
|Employment 2000
|400
|0.37%
|-
|16
|[[Verizon]]
|400
|0.37%
|-
|17
|[[Gilbane|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==
[[File:Rhode Island State House 2.jpg|thumb|[[Rhode Island State House]] in the [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style]]
[[File:Providence City Hall 2009.jpg|thumb|right|[[Providence City Hall]] in the [[Second Empire (architecture)|Second Empire Baroque]] style]]
As the state capital, Providence houses the [[Rhode Island General Assembly]], as well as the offices of the [[Governor of Rhode Island|Governor]] and the [[Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island|Lieutenant Governor]] in the [[Rhode Island State House]]. The city itself has a [[Mayor-council government]]. The [[Providence City Council]] consists of 15 councilors, one for each of the city's wards, who enact ordinances and pass an annual budget. Providence also has probate and superior courts. The [[U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island]] is located downtown across from [[Providence City Hall]] adjacent to [[Kennedy Plaza]].
In November 2002, [[David Cicilline|David N. Cicilline]] was elected mayor of Providence, becoming [[List of the first LGBT holders of political offices in the United States|the first openly gay mayor of a United States state capital]].<ref name=firstmayor>{{cite journal |author=Dahir, Mubarak|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Leading+Providence%3a+David+Cicilline+becomes+the+first+openly+gay...-a095916251 |title=Leading Providence: David Cicilline becomes the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital – Politics |journal=The Advocate|publisher=Gale Group|date=December 24, 2002 |accessdate=May 20, 2009 }}</ref>
The city's first Latino mayor was [[Angel Taveras]], who assumed office on January 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/latino-candidates-achieve-political-milestones-in-state-and-local-races/2805/|title=Latino Candidates Achieve Political Milestones in State and Local Races|accessdate=November 24, 2010|publisher=Hispanically Speaking News|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112082359/http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/latino-candidates-achieve-political-milestones-in-state-and-local-races/2805/|archivedate=November 12, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Jorge Elorza]] succeeded him on January 5, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|title=Jorge Elorza sworn in as Providence's 38th mayor|accessdate=January 5, 2015|publisher=wpri.com}}</ref>
==Education==
===Postsecondary===
[[File:Manning Chapel.jpg|right|thumb|Hope College and Manning Hall at Brown University]]
The main campuses of five of Rhode Island's colleges and universities are in Providence (city proper):
* [[Brown University]], an [[Ivy League]] university and one of nine [[colonial colleges]] in the nation
* [[Johnson & Wales University]]
* [[Providence College]]
* [[Rhode Island College]], the state's oldest public college
* [[Rhode Island School of Design]] (RISD)
In addition, the [[Community College of Rhode Island]], [[Roger Williams University]], and [[University of Rhode Island]] have satellite campuses in the city. Between these schools, the number of post-secondary students is approximately 44,000.<ref>This figure is calculated as the sum of individually given figures from school websites, see: {{cite web|url=https://www.brown.edu/web/about/facts/ |title=facts about Brown University|publisher=Brown University|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.ccri.edu/About/general.shtml|publisher=Community College of Rhode Island|title=General Information about CCRI|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}} (Note: exact figures for Providence Campuses were unavailable. For this estimate two fifths of the total student body were approximated to go to two of the five campuses_, {{cite web|url=http://www.johnsonandwales.edu/prov/index.htm |title=Johnson & Wales Providence|publisher=Johnson & Wales University|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.providence.edu/About+PC/Fast+Facts/ |title=Providence College – Fast Facts|publisher=Providence College|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |title=about RIC|publisher=Rhode Island College|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/aboutrisd.cfm |title=RISD: About RISD|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, and {{cite web|url=http://autocrat.uri.edu/1346.html |publisher=University of Rhode Island|title=About US|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}</ref> Higher education exerts a considerable presence in the city's politics and economy, compounded by the fact that Brown University is the city's second-largest employer.<ref name=economy/>
===Private and charter schools===
There are several private schools in the city's [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]], including [[Moses Brown School|Moses Brown]], the [[Lincoln School, Rhode Island|Lincoln School]], and the [[Wheeler School]]. [[La Salle Academy, Providence|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/news/files/9E0BC30F74514CA18DB979D75C88BEBF.pdf|format=PDF|title=The Providence Public School District at a Glance|publisher=Providenceschools.org|accessdate=June 11, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071128080535/http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/news/files/9E0BC30F74514CA18DB979D75C88BEBF.pdf |archivedate = November 28, 2007}}</ref> In addition, the city's South Side houses Community Preparatory School, a private school serving primarily low-income students in grades 3–8.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.communityprep.org/htm/1story.htm |publisher=Community Preparatory School |title=About CPS|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927020529/http://www.communityprep.org/htm/1story.htm |archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref>
There are two separate centers for students with special needs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/students/index.html|publisher=Providence Schools|title=About the Student Body|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050204131744/http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/students/index.html |archivedate = February 4, 2005}}</ref>
===Public schools===
The [[Providence Public School District]] serves about 30,000 students from pre-Kindergarten to grade 12. The district has 25 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and thirteen high schools. The Providence Public School District features [[magnet school]]s at the middle and high school level, [[Nathanael Greene Middle School|Nathanael Greene]] and [[Classical High School|Classical]] respectively. The overall graduation rate {{as of|2007|lc=y}} is 70.1%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ride.ri.gov/Commissioner/news/pressrels/2008%20Press%20Release/Newly%20Calculated%20Graduation%20Rates%20for%202007.pdf|format=PDF|title=State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Department of Education Report|accessdate=January 3, 2009|publisher=State of Rhode Island Department of Education}}</ref> which is close to the statewide rate of 71% and the national average of 70%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_03_appendix_tables_2-3.htm|title=Manhattan Institute Education Working Paper|publisher=Manhattan Institute|accessdate=January 3, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227091817/http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_03_appendix_tables_2-3.htm|archivedate=December 27, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Rhode Island also operates two public schools in Providence.
==Culture==
[[File:ProvidencePerformingArtsCenter.jpg|right|thumb|The Providence Performing Arts Center]]
{{See also|Media in Providence metropolitan area}}
Much of Providence culture is synonymous with the [[culture of Rhode Island]] as a whole. Like the state, the city has a [[non-rhotic]] accent that can be heard on local media. Providence also shares Rhode Island's affinity for coffee, with the most coffee and doughnut shops per capita of any city in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t5597.html |title=Chewing over why we love doughnut shops|author=Patinkin, Mark|publisher=The Providence Journal |date=August 10, 2004 |accessdate=January 20, 2007}}</ref> Providence is also reputed to have the highest number of restaurants per capita of major U.S. cities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kevinfields.articlealley.com/which-city-really-does-have-the-most-restaurants-per-capita-108023.html|title=Which City Really Does Have The Most Restaurants Per Capita?|accessdate=November 11, 2011|publisher=ArticleAlley.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127083445/http://kevinfields.articlealley.com/which-city-really-does-have-the-most-restaurants-per-capita-108023.html|archivedate=January 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> many of which are founded or staffed by [[Johnson & Wales University]] graduates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/rhode-island/providence |publisher=Moving Traffic, Inc.|title=Providence, Rhode Island|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Providence-Federal-Hill-Pineapple.2008-05-05.imgp7906.jpg|left|thumb|The gateway arch over Atwells Avenue is a [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] landmark. A sculpture of a [[Pine nut|pignoli cluster]] hangs from the center.]]
Providence has several ethnic neighborhoods, notably [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the [[Charles, Providence, Rhode Island|North End]] (Italian),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/charles.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Charles|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]] (Portuguese),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/foxpoint.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Fox Point|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]] (mainly Central American and Asians),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/westend.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=West End|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> and [[Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Smith Hill]] (Irish with miscellaneous enclaves of other groups).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/smhill.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Smith Hill|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> There are also many dedicated community organizations and arts associations located in the city.<ref name="hist2">{{cite web|year=2002 |url=http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |title=Three and One-Half Centuries at a Glance |work=History & Facts: America's Renaissance City |publisher=The City of Providence, Rhode Island |accessdate=January 17, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113213109/http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |archivedate=January 13, 2006 |df= }}</ref>
The city gained the reputation as one of the most active and growing gay and lesbian communities in the Northeast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gay.com/travel/article.html?sernum=9619 |title=Providence, R.I.: The gayest city you've driven right past |year=2007 |publisher=PLANETOUT INC. |accessdate=January 17, 2007 |author=Link, Matthew}}</ref><ref name=gay>{{cite web|url=http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/rhode_island/rinews21.htm|title=Gay Business Comfortable in R.I.|author=K. Alexa Mavromatis|accessdate=June 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008043926/http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/rhode_island/rinews21.htm|archive-date=October 8, 2007|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The rate of reported gay and lesbian relationships is 75% higher than the national average,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/gayInfo.php?locIndex=13448 |publisher=ePodunk Inc.|title=Providence, RI (Providence County) – city gay Index – ePodunk|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> and Providence has been named among the "Best Lesbian Places to Live".<ref name=gay/> Former mayor [[David Cicilline]] won his election running as an openly gay man,<ref name=firstmayor/> Former Mayor Cianci instituted the position of Mayor's Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian community in the 1990s.<ref name=gay/> and Providence is home to the largest [[gay bathhouse]] in New England.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kenneth H. Mayer, MD |title=Optimizing high risk men's sexual health: The Providence bathhouse experience|url=http://apha.confex.com/apha/134am/techprogram/paper_132530.htm |work=Alpha Public Health and Human Rights |date=September 8, 2006 }}</ref>
[[File:20060703 Providence State House Fireworks.jpg|right|thumb|Fireworks at the State House during the 2006 July 4 celebration]]
During the summer months, the city regularly hosts [[WaterFire]], an [[environmental art]] installation that consists of about 100 bonfires which blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://waterfire.org/about-waterfire/welcome |title=About|publisher=waterfire.org|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> There are multiple Waterfire events that are accompanied by various pieces of [[european classical music|classical]] and [[world music]]. The public art displays change on a regular basis, most notably the sculptures.
The city is also the home of the [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]-winning theater group [[Trinity Repertory Company]], the [[Providence Black Repertory Company]], and the [[Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra]],<ref name=culture>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=13448|title=Providence, Rhode Island RI, city profile (Providence County)|publisher=ePodunk Inc.|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> as well as groups such as [[The American Band]], once associated with noted American composer [[David Wallis Reeves]]. Providence is also the home of several performing arts centers, such as the [[Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Providence)|Veterans Memorial Auditorium]], the [[Providence Performing Arts Center]], and the Providence Festival Ballet. The city's underground music is centered on artist-run spaces such as the now-defunct [[Fort Thunder]] and is known in underground music circles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thephoenix.com/article_ektid21625.aspx |title=Keys to the Underground |publisher=Boston Phoenix |author=Fox, Andrew |date=August 30, 2006 |accessdate=January 24, 2007}}</ref> Providence is also home to the [[Providence Improv Guild]], an [[improvisational theatre]] that has weekly performances and offers improv and sketch comedy classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://improvpig.com/|title=P.I.G. Providence Improv Guild|website=Providence Improv Guild}}</ref>
===Sites of interest===
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island}}
[[File:bankandchurch.JPG|thumb|Old Stone Bank and Unitarian Church]]
Providence is home to a {{convert|1200|acre|km2|adj=on}} park system,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/government/parks/ |title=Parks Department |publisher=City of Providence |accessdate=November 8, 2007}}</ref> notably [[Waterplace Park]] and Riverwalk, [[Roger Williams Park]], [[Roger Williams National Memorial]], and [[Prospect Terrace Park]]. Prospect Terrace Park features expansive views of the downtown area, as well as a 15-foot tall granite statue of Roger Williams gazing over the city. As one of the first cities in America, Providence contains many [[List of Registered Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island|historic buildings]], while the East Side neighborhood in particular includes the largest contiguous area of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S., with many pre-revolutionary houses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnewengland.com/current_category.77/current_advcategory.234/companies_list.html?print_page=1 |publisher=Mystic Media, Inc. and Visit New England |title=Cities of New England|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref>
The East Side is also home to the [[First Baptist Church in America]], which was founded by Williams in 1638, as well as the [[Old State House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Old State House]] which served as the state's capitol from 1762 to 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbcia.org/page116.html |publisher=fbcia.org|title=History Book|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625171838/http://www.fbcia.org/page116.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=June 25, 2007}}</ref> Nearby is Roger Williams National Memorial. The dome of the [[Rhode Island State House|State House]] is the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world and the second-largest marble dome after [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Rome.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |publisher=State of Rhode Island General Assembly |title=Rhode Island Facts and Figures |accessdate=January 20, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223014709/http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |archivedate=February 23, 2007 |df= }}</ref> The [[Westminster Arcade]] is the oldest enclosed shopping center in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-129339317.html |title=32-story condo tower would hold R.I.'s highest homes|publisher=Providence Journal |date=February 26, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125362 |title=Rhode Island State House |publisher=Emporis |year=2007 |accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Providence Cathedral, RI edited.JPG|right|thumb|[[Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence|Providence Catholic Cathedral]] and environs]]
The [[Rhode Island School of Design Museum]] contains the 20th-largest collection in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/museum_membership.cfm |title=Museum: Membership|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601230900/http://www.risd.edu/museum_membership.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=June 1, 2007}}</ref> The [[Providence Athenæum]] is the fourth oldest library in the United States, in addition to the [[Providence Public Library]] and the nine branches of the Providence Community Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceathenaeum.org/history/history.html|publisher=Providence Athenaem|title=History of the Providence Athenaeum|accessdate=January 2, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108150631/http://www.providenceathenaeum.org/history/history.html|archivedate=November 8, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Edgar Allan Poe]] frequented the library, and met and courted [[Sarah Helen Whitman]] at the library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=providence@124&cur_section=sig&property_id=47270|title=Providence Athenaem|publisher=Fodor's Travel|accessdate=August 16, 2007}}</ref> [[H. P. Lovecraft]] was also a regular patron.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/travel/hp-lovecraft-providence.html</ref>
The Alex and Ani City Center (formerly the [[Bank of America]] Skating Center and Fleet Skating Center) is located near Kennedy Plaza in the downtown district, connected by pedestrian tunnel to [[Waterplace Park]], a cobblestone and concrete park below street traffic that abuts Providence's three rivers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceskating.com/|publisher=providenceskating.com|title=Bank of America City Center|accessdate=June 10, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519041052/http://www.providenceskating.com/|archivedate=May 19, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=86|title=Riverwalk & Waterplace Park – Great Public Spaces|author=Lisa Palmer|publisher=Project for Public Spaces, Inc.|accessdate=June 10, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319013230/http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=86|archivedate=March 19, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=alexandani/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pbn.com/Providence-Rink-to-become-Alex-and-Ani-City-Center,101611|title=Providence Rink to become Alex and Ani City Center|work=Providence Business News|date=November 20, 2014|author=Stabile, Lori|accessdate=February 14, 2017}}</ref>
The southern part of the city is home to the famous roadside attraction [[Big Blue Bug|Nibbles Woodaway]] (also known as the "Big Blue Bug"), the world's largest [[termite]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebug.com/ |publisher=New England Pest Control|title=Who We Are|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref> Roger Williams Park contains a [[zoo]], a botanical center, and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/parks-and-rec/roger-williams-park |publisher=City of Providence|title=Roger Williams Park|accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref>
Another well-known site is the [[Providence Biltmore]] Hotel located downtown near [[Kennedy Plaza]], a historic location built in 1922.<ref>Providence Biltmore Hotel, [http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.html History], accessed January 21, 2017</ref> The hotel closed in 1974; it was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1977, and it reopened in 1979.
===Sports===
[[File:New York City, Southern RI and CT, illuminated at night.jpg|thumb|Providence, Rhode Island and region at night, as seen from space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82155|title=Long Island Sound Region at Night : Image of the Day|date=September 20, 2013|website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov}}</ref>]]
The city is home to the [[American Hockey League]] team [[Providence Bruins]], which plays at the [[Dunkin' Donuts Center]] (formerly the [[Providence Civic Center]]). From 1926 to 1972, the AHL's [[Providence Reds]] (renamed the Rhode Island Reds in their last years)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azhockey.com/Pr.htm#Providence%20Reds |title=Providence Reds |date=October 4, 2005 |publisher=A to Z Encyclopedia of Ice Hockey |accessdate=November 9, 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127125049/http://www.azhockey.com/Pr.htm#Providence%20Reds |archivedate=November 27, 2005 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> played at the [[Rhode Island Auditorium]]. In 1972, the team relocated to the [[Providence Civic Center]], where they played until moving to [[Binghamton, New York]], in 1977.
The city has two rugby teams, the Rugby Union team Providence Rugby Football Club, and the Semi-Professional [[Rugby League]] team The [[Rhode Island Rebellion]], which play at [[Classical High School]]. In 2013 the Rebellion finished the [[USA Rugby League]] (USARL) regular season in third place. Their playoff run took them to the USARL Semi-Finals, the first time the Rebellion made the playoffs in its short three-year history.
The [[National Football League|NFL]]'s [[New England Patriots]] and [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]'s [[New England Revolution]] play in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], which is situated halfway between Providence and Boston. Providence was formerly home to two major league franchises: the NFL's [[Providence Steam Roller]] in the 1920s and 1930s, and the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s [[Providence Steamrollers]] in the 1940s. The Rhode Island Auditorium also hosted 29 of the 49 boxing fights of [[Rocky Marciano]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Eisele, Andrew |url=http://boxing.about.com/od/records/a/marciano.htm |title=Rocky Marciano |publisher=About.com |year=2007 |accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref>
The city's defunct baseball team, the [[Providence Grays]], competed in the [[National League]] from 1879 through 1885. The team defeated the [[New York Metropolitans]] in baseball's first successful "world championship series" in [[1884 World Series|1884]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://providencegrays.org/About_Our_Project/about_our_project.html |publisher=providencegrays.org|title=About Our Project|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035707/http://providencegrays.org/About_Our_Project/about_our_project.html |archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref> In 1914, after the [[Boston Red Sox]] purchased [[Babe Ruth]] from the then-minor league [[Baltimore Orioles (minor league)|Baltimore Orioles]], the team prepared Ruth for the major leagues by sending him to finish the season playing for a minor league team in Providence that was also known as the Grays. Today, professional baseball is offered by the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]], the AAA affiliate of the [[Boston Red Sox]], which plays in nearby [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island|Pawtucket]]. Most baseball fans—along with the local media—tend to follow the Boston Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/redsox/|title=Boston Red Sox|publisher=Providence Journal|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref>
Major colleges and universities fielding NCAA Division I athletic teams are [[Brown University]] and [[Providence College]]. The latter is a member of the [[Big East Conference (2013–present)|Big East Conference]]. Much local hype is associated with games between these two schools or the [[University of Rhode Island]].
Providence has also hosted the alternative sports event [[Gravity Games]] from 1999 to 2001, and was also the first host of [[ESPN]]'s [[X Games]], known in its first edition as the Extreme Games, in 1995. Providence has its own [[roller derby]] league. Formed in 2004, it currently has four teams: the Providence Mob Squad, the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, the Old Money Honeys, and the Rhode Island Riveters. Providence is also home to the headquarters of the [[American Athletic Conference]] (The American).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/9057093/the-steps-new-big-east-conference-college-basketball|title=What's next for the 'old Big East'|last=Katz|first=Andy|publisher="ESPN"|date=March 15, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2013}}</ref>
==Infrastructure==
===Health and medicine===
Providence is home to [[List of hospitals in Rhode Island|eight hospitals]], most prominently [[Rhode Island Hospital]], the largest general [[acute care]] hospital in the state. It is also the [[Level I Trauma Center]] for Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhodeislandhospital.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH124836 |title=About Rhode Island Hospital |publisher=Lifespan |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413170433/http://www.rhodeislandhospital.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH124836 |archivedate=April 13, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The hospital is in a complex along [[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|I-95]] that includes Hasbro Children's Hospital and Women and Infants Hospital. The city is also home to the [[Roger Williams Medical Center]], St. Joseph Hospital For Specialty Care (a division of St. Joseph Health Services Of Rhode Island), [[The Miriam Hospital]], a major teaching affiliate associated with the [[Alpert Medical School]] of [[Brown University]], as well as a [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|VA]] medical center.
The Rhode Island Blood Center has its main headquarters in Providence. Since 1979, the Rhode Island Blood Center has been the sole organization in charge of [[blood donation|blood collection]] and [[blood bank|testing and distribution]] of blood products to 11 hospitals in Rhode Island.
===Transportation===
[[File:Providence train station.JPG|thumb|[[Providence Station]]]]
[[File:Providence CityHall.jpg|thumb|left|RIPTA buses in front of Providence City Hall]]
[[File:b4sunset.jpg|thumb|right|Early construction on the [[Iway]] 195 relocation project from across the [[Narragansett Bay]]]]
Providence is served by [[T. F. Green Airport]] in [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]], and general aviation fields also serve the region. [[Massport]] has been promoting T. F. Green as an alternative to Boston's [[Logan International Airport]] because of over-crowding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.massport.com/airports/tfgreen.html |title=T.F.Green |publisher=Massport |accessdate=June 5, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629023444/http://www.massport.com/airports/tfgreen.html |archivedate=June 29, 2007 }}</ref>
[[Providence Station]] is located between the [[Rhode Island State House]] and the downtown district and is served by [[Amtrak]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=PVD|publisher=Amtrak|title=Providence, RI (PVD)|accessdate=June 5, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604101914/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=PVD|archivedate=June 4, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] services, with a commuter rail route running north to Boston and south to [[T. F. Green Airport station|T.F. Green Airport]] and [[Wickford Junction (MBTA station)|Wickford Junction]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=PROVSTOU |title=Schedules & Maps|publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|accessdate=June 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pvdairport.com/main.aspx?guid=16194395-4c86-443a-a196-999d8072869d |publisher=Rhode Island Department of Transportation|title=RIAC breaks ground on Warwick Intermodal Facility|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref> Approximately 2,400 passengers pass through the station per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakBackgroundInformationFacts-022007.pdf|format=PDF|title=Amtrak Background Information Facts|page=2|publisher=Amtrak|accessdate=June 6, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152542/http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakBackgroundInformationFacts-022007.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srpedd.org/03tplanch11d.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.srpedd.org/03tplanch11d.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007 |format=PDF|publisher=srpedd.org|title=Chapter 11: Commuter Rail|page=2|accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref>
[[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|I-95]] runs from north to south through Providence; [[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island)|I-195]] connects the city to eastern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, including [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]] and [[Cape Cod]]. [[Interstate 295 (Rhode Island)|I-295]] encircles Providence, while [[RI 146]] provides a direct connection with [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]. The city commissioned and began the long-term project [[Iway]] in 2007 to move I-195 for safety reasons, to free up land, and to reunify the Jewelry District with Downcity Providence, which had been split from one another by the highway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.ri.gov/engineering/construction/195intro.asp |title=Relocating I-195 in Providence |year=2007 |publisher=Rhode Island Department of Transportation |accessdate=March 5, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228170341/http://www.dot.ri.gov/engineering/construction/195intro.asp |archivedate=February 28, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The project was estimated to cost $610 million.
[[Kennedy Plaza]] in downtown Providence serves as a transportation hub for local public transit as well as a departure point for [[Peter Pan Bus Lines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/terminals.php#RI |publisher=Peter Pan Bus LInes|title=Tickets – Terminal Listings|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509113855/http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/terminals.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=May 9, 2007}}</ref> and [[Greyhound Lines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/rhode-island/providence/bus-station-50028|title=Greyhound: Providence, Rhode Island|publisher=Greyhound Lines, Inc.|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Public transit is managed by [[Rhode Island Public Transit Authority]] (RIPTA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ripta.com/ |title=RIPTA|publisher=Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Through RIPTA alone, Kennedy Plaza serves more than 71,000 people a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ripta.com/content1477.html |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority|title=RIPTA Accomplishments in FY2006|accessdate=June 6, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704232742/http://www.ripta.com/content1477.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=July 4, 2007}} 25,943,883 boardings / 365 days = 71,079 daily.</ref> The majority of the area covered by RIPTA is served by traditional buses. Of particular note is the [[East Side Trolley Tunnel]] running under College Hill, the use of which is reserved for RIPTA buses. RIPTA also operates the ''Providence LINK'', a system of tourist trolleys in downtown Providence. From 2000 to 2008, RIPTA operated a seasonal ferry to [[Newport, Rhode Island]] between May and October, but [[SeaStreak]] began operating that ferry route in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://seastreak.com/ferry-routes-and-schedules/between-providence-newport-ri/|title=Schedule & Fares Between Providence & Newport, RI|accessdate=July 7, 2016|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821173405/https://seastreak.com/ferry-routes-and-schedules/between-providence-newport-ri/|archivedate=August 21, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Utilities===
Electricity and natural gas are provided by [[National Grid (USA)|National Grid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/business/content/projo_20060217_grid17.1d64dbea.html|publisher=Providence Journal|title=Electric utility buying R.I. gas company|author=David McPherson|accessdate=June 25, 2007}}</ref> Providence Water is responsible for the distribution of drinking water, ninety percent of which comes from the [[Scituate Reservoir]] about {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} west of downtown, with contributions coming from four smaller bodies of water. Drinking water in Providence has been rated among the highest quality in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.provwater.com/introduction.htm|title=Providence Water Introduction|publisher=Providence Water|accessdate=June 25, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701104422/http://www.provwater.com/introduction.htm|archivedate=July 1, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.provwater.com/watershed.htm|title=Providence Water Watershed|publisher=Providence Water|accessdate=June 25, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611101151/http://www.provwater.com/watershed.htm|archivedate=June 11, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_WATER_TOP_12-15-09_TSGPV8S_v68.38aef98.html|title=Providence tap water ranks with the nation's best|accessdate=July 6, 2010|publisher=Providence Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/110/cities-with-best-and-worst-tap-water.html|title=Cities with best and worst tap water|accessdate=June 7, 2011|publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref>
==Sister cities==
{{As of|2008}}, Providence had three official [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/2008/11/20/sister-sister-providence-forges-ties-abroad/|title=Sister, Sister: Providence forges ties abroad|author=Zheng, Connie|date=November 20, 2008|work=Brown Daily Herald|accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CPV}} [[Praia]] (1994)
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Florence]] (2002)
* {{flagdeco|DOM}} [[Santo Domingo]] (2004)
==See also==
{{Portal|Rhode Island}}
* [[List of people from Providence, Rhode Island]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Providence]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island]]
* [[Neighborhoods in Providence]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
<!--{{Cnote|d|Figure includes Hasbro Children's Hospital as part of Rhode Island Hospital.}}-->
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Further reading==
* {{cite web |url=http://www.riedc.com/riedc/ri_databank/31/266/ |title=EDC Profile City of Providence |publisher=Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation |year=2006}}
* {{Cite book|author1=Samantha Cook |author2=Greg Ward |author3=Tim Perry |chapter=Providence |title=The Rough Guide USA |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2004 |isbn=1-84353-262-X |pages=243–247}}
* {{Cite book|author=Rich, Wilbur C. |chapter=Vincent Cianci and Boosterism in Providence, Rhode Island |title=Governing Middle-Sized Cities |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |year=2000 |isbn=1-55587-870-9 |pages=197–216}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|Providence, Rhode Island}}
* {{Official website|http://www.providenceri.com}}
* [http://www.goprovidence.com/ Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Providence}}
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/sets/72157624951327613/detail/ Portrait of Providence from Altitude, 2010], aerial photos by [[Doc Searles]]
{{Clear}}
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[[Category:Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Cities in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Cities in Providence County, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Providence metropolitan area]]
[[Category:County seats in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Narragansett Bay]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the United States Atlantic coast]]
[[Category:Early American industrial centers]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1636]]
[[Category:1636 establishments in Rhode Island]]
{{short description|capital of Rhode Island}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Providence, Rhode Island
| settlement_type = State capital
| official_name = City of Providence
| image_skyline = Providence Montage Updated.jpg
| imagesize = 310px
| image_caption = Top: Downtown Providence skyline and the [[Providence River]] from the [[Point Street Bridge]]; Middle: [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], University Hall at [[Brown University]], [[Roger Williams Park]], and the [[First Baptist Church in America]]; Bottom: [[WaterFire]] at [[Waterplace Park]], and the [[Rhode Island State House]].
| image_flag = Flag of Providence, Rhode Island.png
| image_seal = Seal of Providence, Rhode Island.svg
| nickname = The Creative Capital, Beehive of Industry, the Renaissance City, the Divine City, PVD, Prov
| motto = "What Cheer?"{{efn|This motto may appear rhetorical, but it was an earnest expression from the traditional account of Roger Williams' arrival in Rhode Island with settlers William Harris, John Smith, Joshua Verin, Thomas Angell, and Francis Wickes.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Bayles |editor-first=Richard M. |title=History of Providence County, Rhode Island|volume=1 |url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofprovide02bayl#page/16/mode/2up/ |year=1891 |location=New York |publisher=W.W. Preston & Co |page=16 |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref> The party was greeted by a group of [[Narragansett people|Narragansetts]], with the description of their exchange:<ref>{{cite book |last=Banvard |first=Joseph |title=A Guide to Providence River and Narragansett Bay from Providence to Newport |url=https://archive.org/stream/guidetoprovidenc00banv#page/16/mode/2up |year=1858 |location=Providence |publisher=Coggeshall & Stewart |page=17 |isbn= |author-link= }}</ref>
<blockquote>Not far from that bridge [over the Blackstone] in a little cove is the famous "Slate Rock," on which it is said that Roger Williams first landed after his tedious and painful flight from the persecutions of his Massachusetts brethren.<br>As he approached the place he was saluted by some friendly Indians with the peaceful enquiry "What Cheer netop?" netop, meaning friend, a phrase which they had acquired from their intercourse with the English and which was equivalent to the salutation "How are you?" or "What's the news?"... It is this incident which is pictured upon the seal of the city of Providence.</blockquote>}}
| image_map = Providence County Rhode Island incorporated and unincorporated areas Providence highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 260px
| map_caption = Location in [[Providence County, Rhode Island|Providence County]] and the state of [[Rhode Island]].
| pushpin_map = USA Rhode Island#USA#North America
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Rhode Island
| pushpin_relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|41|49|25|N|71|25|20|W|region:US-RI|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flagu|United States|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name1 = {{nowrap|{{flagu|Rhode Island|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_name2 = Providence
| established_date =
| established_title1 = Settled
| established_date1 = 1636
| established_title2 = Incorportated (Town)
| established_date2 = June 1636
| established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date3 = November 5, 1832
| founder = [[Roger Williams]]
| government_type = Providence City Council
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[Jorge Elorza]] (D)
| area_magnitude = 1 E8
| area_total_km2 =
| area_total_sq_mi = 20.7
| area_land_km2 =
| area_land_sq_mi = 18.5
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_sq_mi = 2.1
| elevation_m = 23
| elevation_ft = 75
| population_total = 178042
| population_as_of = 2010
| population_density_km2 =
| population_density_sq_mi = 9,676.2
| population_est = 180,393
| pop_est_as_of = 2017
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2016"/>
| population_urban = 1,190,956 (US: 39th)
| population_metro = 1,604,291 (US: 38th)
| population_rank = US: 134th
| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes
| postal_code = 02901–02912, 02918, 02919, 02940
| area_code = 401
| area_code_type = Area code
| website = [http://www.providenceri.com www.providenceri.com]
| footnotes =
| timezone = Eastern Time Zone
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 44-59000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=American FactFinder}}</ref>
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 1219851<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
}}
'''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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Introduction.html|publisher=Advameg, Inc.|title=Providence: Introduction|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> It was founded in 1636 by [[Roger Williams]], a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]. He named the area in honor of "God's merciful Providence" which he believed was responsible for revealing such a haven for him and his followers. The city is situated 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 noted for its textile manufacturing and subsequent machine tool, jewelry, and silverware industries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Providence Architecture|url=http://www.brown.edu/cis/sta/dev/providence_architecture/locations/olneyville/rising_sun_mills/|website=brown.edu|accessdate=15 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kupperman|first1=Karen Ordahl|title=Providence Island, 1630–1641: The Other Puritan Colony|date=June 1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-35205-3|pages=17}}</ref> Today, the city of Providence is home to eight hospitals and seven institutions of higher learning which have shifted the city's economy into service industries, though it still retains some manufacturing activity. The city was once nicknamed the "Beehive of Industry"; it began rebranding itself as the "Creative Capital" in 2009 to emphasize its educational resources and arts community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_SLOGAN_03-30-09_RQDPBQ8_v46.36aa154.html|title='Creative Capital' Providence found inspiration elsewhere |access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref>
The city is the third most populous city in [[New England]] after [[Boston]] and [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], Massachusetts.
==History==
{{Main|History of Providence|Timeline of Providence, Rhode Island}}
[[File:First Baptist Church Providence.jpg|thumb|upright|[[First Baptist Church in America]] is the oldest Baptist congregation in America. It was founded 1638, though the present building was occupied in 1776.]]
Providence was settled in June 1636 by [[Roger Williams]] and was one of the original [[Thirteen Colonies]]. Williams and his company were compelled to leave [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]], and Providence quickly became a refuge for persecuted religious dissenters, as Williams himself had been exiled from Massachusetts.<ref name="3.5-centuries">{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |title=Three and One-Half Centuries at a Glance |publisher=City of Providence, Rhode Island |date=May 2002 |accessdate=January 17, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113213109/http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |archivedate=January 13, 2006 |df= }}</ref>
Providence residents were among the first Patriots to spill blood in the lead-up to the [[American Revolutionary War]] during the [[Gaspée Affair]] of 1772,<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> and Rhode Island was the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown on May 4, 1776.<ref name=KnowRhode>{{cite web|url=http://sos.ri.gov/library/history/independence/ |title=Know Rhode Island, RI Secretary of State |publisher=Sos.ri.gov |date= |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}</ref> It was also the last of the Thirteen Colonies to ratify the [[United States Constitution]] on May 29, 1790, once assurances were made that a [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] would become part of the Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usconstitution.net/rat_ri.html |title=Rhode Island Ratification of the U.S. Constitution |publisher=Usconstitution.net |date=January 8, 2010 |accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Market Square Providence in 1844.jpg|thumb|right|[[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]] was the center of civic life in the 19th Century, and [[Market House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Market House]] was home to the city council before [[Providence City Hall]] was built.<ref name="cady">{{cite journal|last1=Cady|first1=John Hutchins|title=The Providence Market House and its neighborhood|journal=Rhode Island History|publisher=Rhode Island Historical Society|date=October 1952|volume=11|issue=4|pages=97–106|url=http://www.rihs.org/assetts/files/publications/1952_Oct.pdf|accessdate=April 9, 2015}}</ref>]]
Following the war, Providence was the country's ninth-largest city{{efn|Providence was listed as a town (not a city) by the US Census Bureau until the Census of 1840 because city status in the [[New England]] states is conferred by the form of government, not by population. Providence retained the title of ninth-largest settlement until the Census of 1810.}}<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> with 7,614 people. The economy shifted from maritime endeavors to manufacturing, in particular machinery, tools, silverware, jewelry, and textiles. By the start of the 20th century, Providence hosted some of the largest manufacturing plants in the country, including [[Brown & Sharpe]], Nicholson File, and [[Gorham Manufacturing Company]].
[[File:ProvidenceCityHall1881.png|right|thumb|upright|City Hall was built in 1878]]
Providence residents ratified a city charter in 1831 as the population passed 17,000.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/> The seat of city government was located in the [[Market House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Market House]]<ref name=Campbell>{{cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Paul|title=A Brief History of Providence City Hall|url=https://www.providenceri.com/archives/history|website=City Archives|publisher=City of Providence|accessdate=April 10, 2015}}</ref> in [[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]] from 1832 to 1878, which was the geographic and social center of the city. The city offices outgrew this building, and the City Council resolved to create a permanent municipal building in 1845.<ref name=Campbell /> The city offices moved into the [[Providence City Hall]] in 1878.
During the [[American Civil War]], local politics split over slavery as many had ties to Southern cotton. Despite ambivalence concerning the war, the number of military volunteers routinely exceeded quota, and the city's manufacturing proved invaluable to the Union. Providence thrived after the war, and waves of immigrants brought the population from 54,595 in 1865 to 175,597 by 1900.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/>
By the early 1900s, Providence was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States.<ref name="Stanton" /> Immigrant labor powered one of the nation's largest industrial manufacturing centers.<ref name="Stanton">{{cite book|last1=Stanton|first1=Mike|title=The Prince of Providence|date=2003|publisher=Random House|location=New York|isbn=0-375-75967-0|page=7}}</ref> Providence was a major manufacturer of industrial products, from steam engines to precision tools to silverware, screws, and textiles. Giant companies were based in or near Providence, such as Brown & Sharpe, the [[Corliss Steam Engine]] Company, [[Babcock & Wilcox]], the Grinnell Corporation, the Gorham Manufacturing Company, Nicholson File, and the [[Fruit of the Loom]] textile company.<ref name="Stanton" />
[[File:N3419822 37931820 6163Providence.jpg|thumb|right|People gathering in Waterplace Park, opened in 1994, just before a WaterFire event. On the left can be seen the [[Waterplace]] condominiums constructed in 2008. The entire area had been covered in railroad tracks, and the river was covered with paved bridges until the late 1980s.]]
From 1975 until 1982, $606 million of local and national community development funds were invested throughout the city. In the 1990s, the city pushed for revitalization, uncovering the rivers (which had been covered by paved bridges), relocating a large section of railroad underground, creating [[Waterplace Park]] and river walks along the rivers' banks, and constructing the Fleet Skating Rink (now the Alex and Ani City Center)<ref name=alexandani>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexandanicitycenter.com/ice-skating|title=Alex and Ani City Center|publisher=The Providence Rink|accessdate=February 11, 2017}}</ref> and the [[Providence Place]] Mall.<ref name="3.5-centuries"/>
Despite new investment, poverty remains an entrenched problem, as it does in all cities. Approximately 27.9 percent of the city population is living below the poverty line.<ref name=poverty>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |title=Providence (city), Rhode Island – QuickFacts |publisher=US Census Bureau |date=2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |archivedate=January 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Recent increases in real estate values further exacerbate problems for those at marginal income levels, as Providence had the highest rise in median housing price of any city in the United States from 2004 to 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top25s/homeapprec.html |publisher=Cable News Network LP, LLLP|title=Money Magazine: Best Places to Live: Home Appreciation|accessdate=March 6, 2007}}</ref>
==Geography==
[[File:Providence Rhode Island (1).jpg|thumb|right|Astronaut photograph of Providence, Rhode Island taken from the [[International Space Station]] (ISS)]]
The Providence city limits enclose a small geographical region with a total area of {{convert|20.5|sqmi|km2}}; {{convert|18.5|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and the remaining {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} is water (roughly 10%). Providence is located at the head of [[Narragansett Bay]], with the [[Providence River]] running into the bay through the center of the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Geography-and-Climate.html|publisher=Advameg, Inc.|title=Providence: Geography and Climate|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> formed by the confluence of the [[Moshassuck River|Moshassuck]] and [[Woonasquatucket River|Woonasquatucket]] Rivers. The Waterplace Park amphitheater and riverwalks line the river's banks through [[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|downtown]].
Providence is one of many cities claimed to be [[List of cities claimed to be built on seven hills|founded on seven hills]] like Rome. The more prominent hills are: Constitution Hill (near downtown), College Hill (east of the Providence River), and [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] (west of downtown and containing New England's largest Italian district outside of Massachusetts). The other four are: Tockwotten Hill at [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1= Seth|title=Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff |url= https://books.google.com/?id=DdU9NHiX3OcC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=providence+college+hill+constitution+federal+tockwotten+christian+smith&q=providence%20college%20hill%20constitution%20federal%20tockwotten%20christian%20smith|accessdate= July 4, 2010|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn= 978-0-7627-4338-4|page=6 |date=September 1, 2007}}</ref>
===Neighborhoods===
[[File:Providence Neighborhoods Map.svg|right|thumb|Providence neighborhoods with major highways shown, (Technical Note, this map has been deprecated because of relocation of Interstate 195)]]
[[File:Textronside from college hill.jpg|thumb|The Providence skyline viewed from College Hill]]
{{Main|Neighborhoods in Providence}}
Providence has 25 official neighborhoods, though these neighborhoods are often grouped together and referred to collectively:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/NeighborhoodMap_c.html |publisher=City of Providence |title=Providence Neighborhoods|accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref><ref name=altnames>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/altnames.html |title=Alternative Neighborhood Names |publisher=The Providence Plan |year=2007 |accessdate=January 31, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004352/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/altnames.html |archivedate = September 28, 2007}}</ref>
* The [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]] is a region comprising the neighborhoods of [[Blackstone, Providence, Rhode Island|Blackstone]], [[Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Hope]] (aka Summit), [[Mount Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Hope]], [[College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|College Hill]], [[Wayland, Providence, Rhode Island|Wayland]], and [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]].
* The [[Jewelry District, Providence, Rhode Island|Jewelry District]] describes the area enclosed by I-95, the old I-195, and the [[Providence River]]. The city has made efforts to rename this area the Knowledge District to reflect the area's newly developing life sciences and technology-based economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbn.com/Brown-University-purchases-198-Dyer-St-for-6-million-for-continuing-education-program,56483|title=Brown University continues Knowledge District expansion, buys building for $6M|publisher=Providence Business News|accessdate=May 4, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318220304/http://www.pbn.com/Brown-University-purchases-198-Dyer-St-for-6-million-for-continuing-education-program,56483|archivedate=March 18, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/JEWELRY_DISTRICT_NAME_06-08-10_A4IPME0_v17.191cb65.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613044452/http://www.projo.com/news/content/JEWELRY_DISTRICT_NAME_06-08-10_A4IPME0_v17.191cb65.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |publisher=The Providence Journal Co. |accessdate=May 4, 2011 |title='Jewelry District,' ‘'Knowledge District': What's in a name? |df= }}</ref>
* The North End is formed by the concatenation of the neighborhoods of [[Charles, Providence, Rhode Island|Charles]], [[Wanskuck, Providence, Rhode Island|Wanskuck]], [[Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Smith Hill]], [[Elmhurst, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmhurst]], and [[Mount Pleasant, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Pleasant]].
* The [[South Side, Providence, Rhode Island|South Side]] (or South Providence) consists of the neighborhoods of [[Elmwood, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmwood]], [[Lower South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Lower South Providence]], [[Upper South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Upper South Providence]], [[Washington Park, Providence, Rhode Island|Washington Park]], and the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]].
* West Broadway is an officially recognized neighborhood with its own association. It overlaps with the southern half of [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the northern part of the West End.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbna.org|title=West Broadway Neighborhood Association|publisher=WBNA|accessdate=July 30, 2007}}</ref>
* The West Side is a vague term sometimes used to mean the [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], [[Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island|Olneyville]], [[Hartford, Providence, Rhode Island|Hartford]], and [[Silver Lake, Providence, Rhode Island|Silver Lake]].
===Cityscape===
[[File:Downtown Providence, Rhode Island.jpg|thumb|[[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|Downtown Providence]] and the [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]], 2010. Note the demolition of the previous [[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island–Massachusetts)|I-195]] as part of the [[Iway]] project.]]
:{{see also|List of tallest buildings in Providence}}
The city of Providence is geographically very compact, characteristic of [[East Coast of the United States|eastern seaboard]] cities that developed prior to use of the automobile. It is among the [[List of United States cities by population density|most densely populated cities in the country]]. For this reason, Providence has the [[List of U.S. cities with most pedestrian commuters|eighth-highest percentage]] of pedestrian commuters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/census-lookup.php?state_select=*&lower_pop=50000&upper_pop=250000&sort_num=2&show_rows=25&first_row=0 |publisher=Bikes At Work Inc.|title=Carfree Database Results|accessdate=June 5, 2007}} Out of cities over 100,000 in population</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/census-lookup.php?state_select=*&lower_pop=250000&upper_pop=999999999&sort_num=2&show_rows=25&first_row=0 |publisher=Bikes At Work Inc.|title=Carfree Database Results|accessdate=June 5, 2007}} Out of cities over 100,000 in population</ref> The street layout is irregular; more than one thousand streets (a great number for the city's size) run haphazardly, connecting and radiating from traditionally bustling places such as [[Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island|Market Square]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/Providence/article271.html |publisher=USGenWeb Project|title=History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations|author=Albert J. Wright|accessdate=June 23, 2011}}</ref>
Downtown Providence has numerous 19th-century mercantile buildings in the [[Federal style architecture|Federal]] and [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] architectural styles, as well as several post-modern and modernist buildings located throughout the area. In particular, a fairly clear spatial separation appears between the areas of pre-1980s development and post-1980s development. West Exchange Street and Exchange Terrace serve as rough boundaries between the two.
The newer area, sometimes called "Capitol Center",<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |pages=303–304}}</ref> includes [[Providence Place Mall]] (1999), the [[Omni Providence Hotel]] (1993) and [[The Residences at the Westin|The Residences Providence]] (2007), [[GTECH Corporation]] (2006), [[Waterplace]] condominiums (2007), and Waterplace Park (1994). The area tends toward newer development, since much of it is land reclaimed in the 1970s from a mass of railroad tracks referred to colloquially as the "Chinese Wall".<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |page=13 }}</ref> This part of Downtown is characterized by open spaces, wide roads, and landscaping.
The historic part of downtown has many streetscapes that look as they did 80 years ago. Many of the state's tallest buildings are found here. The [[List of tallest buildings in Providence|largest structure]] at {{convert|426|ft|m}} is the [[art deco]]-styled [[Industrial National Bank Building]] (formerly Industrial Trust Tower).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125380|title=Bank of America Building, Providence|publisher=Emporis |year=2007 |accessdate=January 19, 2007}}</ref> By contrast, nearby to it is the second tallest [[One Financial Plaza]], designed in modern taut-skin cladding, constructed a half-century later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125377 |title=One Financial Plaza|year=2006 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=June 5, 2006}}</ref> In between the two is [[50 Kennedy Plaza]]. The [[Textron Tower]] is also a core building to the modest Providence skyline. Downtown is also the home of the [[Providence Biltmore]] and [[Westminster Arcade]], the oldest enclosed shopping mall in the U.S., built in 1828.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=101896 |title=Providence Buildings, Real Estate, Architecture, Skyscrapers, and Construction Database |year=2005 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=November 7, 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050529062647/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=101896 |archivedate=May 29, 2005 |df=}}</ref>
The city's southern waterfront, away from the downtown core, is the location of many oil tanks, a docking station for a ferry boat, a non-profit sailing center, bars, strip clubs, and power plants. The [[Soviet submarine K-77|Russian Submarine Museum]] was located here until 2008, when the submarine sank in a storm and was declared a loss. The [[Fox Point Hurricane Barrier]] is also found here, built to protect Providence from [[storm surge]] like that which it endured in the [[New England Hurricane of 1938|1938 New England Hurricane]] and again in 1954 from [[Hurricane Carol]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.htm|publisher=The Providence Biltimore|title=History: A Rhode Island Tradition|accessdate=July 11, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203235/http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.htm |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref>
The majority of the cityscape comprises abandoned and revitalized industrial mills, double- and [[triple-decker]] housing (though [[townhome|row houses]] are rare, found so commonly in other Northeast cities),<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodward |first=William McKenzie |title=PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture |year=2003 |publisher=Providence Preservation Society |location=Providence, Rhode Island |isbn=0-9742847-0-X |page=227 }}</ref> a small number of high-rise buildings (predominantly for housing the elderly), and single family homes. [[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|Interstate 95]] serves as a physical barrier between the city's commercial core and neighborhoods such as [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]].
<gallery widths="154px" heights="200px" class="center" caption="">
File:Westminsterstreet.JPG|Perspective of Westminster Street
File:Providence big three.jpg|Downtown Providence at [[Burnside Park, Providence, Rhode Island|Burnside Park]]
File:Providence RI skyline2.jpg|The [[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|Downtown Providence]] skyline, viewed from [[College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|College Hill]] on the [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|city's East Side]]
File:Waterplacepark.JPG|[[Waterplace Park]]
File:TurkBuildingAtTheSection.jpg|Intersection of Weybosset and Westminster Streets with Turk's Main Building on the left
File:Exitramp.JPG|Providence from downtown exit ramp off I-95
</gallery>
===Climate===
[[File:Rhode Island Köppen.png|thumb|left|200px|Updated Koppen map shows Providence has moved up to a humid subtropical climate]]
Providence has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa'') with warm summers, cold winters, and high humidity year-round. The [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] places the city in [[hardiness zone]] 6b, with the suburbs in zones 6a – 7b.<ref>{{cite web|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|accessdate=June 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|archive-date=February 27, 2014|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The influence of the Atlantic Ocean keeps the state of Rhode Island<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-rhode-island-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php |title=Rhode Island USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher= |date= |accessdate=November 22, 2010}}</ref> warmer than many inland locales in New England.<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html
|title = USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
|publisher = US Department of Agriculture – The United States National Arboretum
|date = March 2, 2006
|accessdate = January 19, 2007
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150303152208/http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html
|archivedate = March 3, 2015
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=RI
|title = Rhode Island ISDA Hardiness Zone Map
|year = 2000
|publisher = growit.com
|accessdate = January 19, 2007
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://archive.is/20010107195400/http://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=RI
|archivedate = January 7, 2001
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref> January is the coldest month with a daily mean of {{convert|29.2|°F|1}} and low temperatures dropping to {{convert|10|°F|0}} or lower an average of 11 days per winter,<ref name= NOAA/> while July is the warmest month with a daily mean of {{convert|73.5|°F|1}} and highs rising to {{convert|90|°F|0}} or higher an average of 10 days per summer.<ref name = NOAA /> Extremes range from {{convert|-17|F|1|disp=or}} on February 9, 1934 to {{convert|104|°F|disp=or}} on August 2, 1975;<ref name=TWC>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/02906?from=36hr_bottomnav_fitness |title=Monthly average temperatures and precipitation|publisher=The Weather Channel
|accessdate=2009-08-30
}}</ref> the record cold daily maximum is {{convert|1|°F|1}} on February 5, 1918, while the record warm daily minimum is {{convert|80|°F|1}} on June 6, 1925.<ref name = NOAA/> Temperature readings of {{convert|0|°F|1|disp=or}} or lower are uncommon in Providence and generally occur once every several years. The year which had the most days with a temperature reading of zero degrees or lower was 2015 with eight days total—one day in January and seven days in February.<ref name = NOAA/> Conversely, temperature readings of {{convert|100|°F|1|disp=or}} or higher are even rarer, and the year with the most days in this category was 1944 with three days, all of which were in August.<ref name = NOAA/>
Monthly precipitation in Providence ranges from a high of {{convert|4.43|in|mm|1}} in March to a low of {{convert|3.17|in|mm|1}} in July.<ref name = TWC /> In general, precipitation levels are slightly less in the summer months than the winter months, when [[Nor'easter]]s can cause significant snowfall and [[blizzard]] conditions. [[tropical cyclone|Hurricanes]] are not frequent in coastal [[New England]], although Providence's location at the head of Narragansett Bay makes it vulnerable to them.
<div style="width: 83%;">
{{Providence, Rhode Island weatherbox}}
</div>
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 6380
|1800= 7614
|1810= 10070
|1820= 11767
|1830= 16833
|1840= 23171
|1850= 41513
|1860= 50666
|1870= 68904
|1880= 104857
|1890= 132146
|1900= 175597
|1910= 223326
|1920= 237595
|1930= 252981
|1940= 253504
|1950= 248674
|1960= 207498
|1970= 179213
|1980= 156804
|1990= 160728
|2000= 173618
|2010= 178042
|estyear=2017
|estimate=180393
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
|footnote=Largest Cities and Other<br />Urban Places in the United<br />States: 1790 to 1990.<ref name=population>{{cite web|author=Gibson, Campbell|date=June 1998|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html|title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau – Population Division|accessdate=January 17, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314031958/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html|archivedate=March 14, 2007|df= }}</ref><br />2013 Estimate<ref name="2013 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=March 15, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161634/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|archivedate=May 22, 2014|df= }}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Demographic profile !! 2010<ref name=demographics/> !! 1990<ref name="pop1"/> !! 1970<ref name="pop1"/> !! 1950<ref name="pop1"/>
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 49.8% || 69.9% || 90.0% || 96.5%
|-
| —[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic]] || 37.6% || 64.5% || 89.5%<ref name="fifteen">From 15% sample</ref> || N/A
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]] || 16.0% || 14.8% || 8.9% || 3.3%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 38.1% || 15.5% || 0.8%<ref name="fifteen"/> || N/A
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 6.4% || 5.9% || 0.5% || 0.1%
|}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, the population consisted of 173,618 people, 162,389 households, and 35,859 families. The population density was 9,401.7 inhabitants per square mile (3,629.4/km²), characteristic of comparatively older cities in [[New England]] such as [[New Haven, Connecticut]], [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], and [[Hartford, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html|title=Providence (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|publisher=US Census Bureau|accessdate=January 18, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html|archivedate=January 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Its population peaked in the 1940s, just prior to the nationwide period of rapid [[suburbanization]].
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,<ref name=demographics>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |title=Providence (city), Rhode Island |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=April 22, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127054813/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4459000.html |archivedate=January 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> down from 89.5% in 1970.<ref name="pop1">{{cite web |title=Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archivedate=August 6, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Providence has had a substantial Italian population since the start of the 20th century, with 14% of the population claiming Italian ancestry.<ref name=bycountry>{{cite web|url=http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/rhode-island/providence|title=Providence, Rhode Island|publisher=Moving Traffic, Inc.|accessdate=April 1, 2009}} (Click on People tab)</ref> Italian influence manifests itself in Providence's Little Italy in [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/fedhill.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Federal Hill|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> Irish immigrants have also had considerable influence on the city's history, with 8% of residents claiming Irish heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=13448|title=Providence—Ancestry & Family History|accessdate=June 19, 2007|publisher=ePodunk Inc.}}</ref> The city also has a sizeable Jewish community, estimated at 10,500 in 2012 or roughly 5% of the city's population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishdatabank.org/Reports/Jewish_Population_in_the_United_States_2010.pdf|title=Jewish Population in the United States, 2010|accessdate=October 29, 2012|publisher=North American Jewish Data Bank|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912030237/http://www.jewishdatabank.org/Reports/Jewish_Population_in_the_United_States_2010.pdf|archivedate=September 12, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Providence (5560421430).png|thumb|left|Map of racial distribution in Providence, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: <span style="color:#ff0000">'''White'''</span>, <span style="color:#0000ff">'''Black'''</span>, <span style="color:#00ff80">'''Asian'''</span>, <span style="color:#ff8000">'''Hispanic'''</span> or '''Other''' (yellow)]]
In 2010, people of [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] origin composed 38.1% of the city's population and currently form a majority of city public school students.<ref name=demographics/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/case_studies/05V05_Providence.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Southern Regional Education Board|page=2|title=The Providence Public School Department and The University of Rhode Island Partnership|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.sreb.org/programs/hstw/publications/case_studies/05V05_Providence.pdf |archivedate = June 14, 2007}}</ref> The largest Hispanic groups are those having origins in [[Puerto Rico]], [[Colombia]], [[Bolivia]], the [[Dominican Republic]], and [[Guatemala]]. Hispanics are most concentrated in the neighborhoods of [[Elmwood, Providence, Rhode Island|Elmwood]], the [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]], and [[Upper South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Upper]] and [[Lower South Providence, Providence, Rhode Island|Lower South Providence]].<ref name=hispanic>{{cite web|url=http://www.rifoundation.org/matriarch/documents/latino_1_2%281%29.pdf|format=PDF|title=Geographic Concentration of the Latino Population|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.rifoundation.org/matriarch/documents/latino_1_2%281%29.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007}}</ref> The city elected its first Hispanic mayor in 2010, [[Dominican-American]] Angel Taveras.
[[African American (U.S. Census)|African Americans]] constitute 16%<ref name=demographics/> of the city's population, with their greatest concentrations found in [[Mount Hope, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Hope]] and the Upper and Lower South Providence neighborhoods.<ref name=census>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US4459000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US44%7C16000US4459000&_street=&_county=Providence&_cityTown=Providence&_state=04000US44&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |publisher=US Census Bureau|title=Providence City, Rhode Island|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name=racebyplace>{{cite web|url=http://local.provplan.org/profiles/cw_mrpeo.html|publisher=The Providence Plan|title=Maps & Rankings: People|accessdate=January 15, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130415152917/http://local.provplan.org/profiles/cw_mrpeo.html|archivedate=April 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asians]] are 6% of Providence's population and have enclaves scattered throughout the city. The largest Asian groups are [[Cambodian American|Cambodians]] (1.7%), [[Chinese American|Chinese]] (1.1%), [[Indian American|Asian Indians]] (0.7%), [[Laotian American|Laotians]] (0.6%), and [[Korean American|Koreans]] (0.6%).<ref name=racebyplace/> Another 6% of the city has multiracial ancestry. American Indians and Pacific Islanders make up the remaining 1.3%. Liberians compose 0.4% of the population;<ref name=bycountry/> the city is home to one of the largest Liberian immigrant populations in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6550625|publisher=NPR|accessdate=April 17, 2010|title=Thousands of Liberians in U.S. Face Deportation}}</ref>
Providence has a considerable community of immigrants from various [[Lusophone|Portuguese-speaking]] countries, especially Portugal, Brazil, and [[Cape Verde]], living mostly in the areas of Washington Park and [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/ONS/neighborhoods/fox-point|title=Fox Point|publisher=City of Providence|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/wpk_bk.html |title=Washington Park|publisher=The Providence Plan|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193116/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/wpk_bk.html |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bosfed.org/commdev/c&b/2004/Fall/Immigrants.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of Boston|title=Who are New England's Immigrants?|author1=Manie Marcuss |author2=Ricardo Borgos |lastauthoramp=yes |page=4|accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> Portuguese is the city's third-largest European ethnicity, after Italian and Irish, at 4% of the population; Cape Verdeans compose 2%.<ref name=bycountry/>
The [[Providence metropolitan area]] includes Providence, [[Fall River, Massachusetts]], and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]], and is estimated to have a population of 1,622,520. In 2006, this area was officially added to the Boston Combined Statistical Area (CSA), the [[Table of United States Combined Statistical Areas|sixth-largest CSA in the country]]. In the last 15 years, Providence has experienced a sizable growth in its under-18 population. The median age of the city is 28 years, while the largest age [[cohort (statistics)|cohort]] is 20- to 24-year-olds, owing to the city's large student population.<ref name=demographics/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://providence.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm |publisher=MDNH, Inc.|title=Providence Population and Demographics|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref>
The [[per capita income]] as of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] was $15,525, which is well below both the state average of $29,113<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0104652.html |publisher=HighBeam Research, LLC|title=Per Capital Personal Income by State|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref> and the national average of $21,587.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kprof00-us.pdf|format=PDF|title=U.S. Summary: 2000|page=4|accessdate=June 10, 2007|publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The median income for a household was $26,867, and the median income for a family in Providence was $32,058, according to the 2000 census. The city has one of the highest rates of poverty in the nation with 29.1% of the population and 23.9% of families living below the [[poverty line]] in 2000, the largest concentrations being found in the city's [[Olneyville, Providence, Rhode Island|Olneyville]], and Upper and Lower South Providence areas.<ref name=poverty/><ref name=povmap>{{cite web|url=http://204.17.79.244/profiles/cw_mrecon.html |title=Maps & Rankings: Economics|accessdate=June 10, 2007|publisher=The Providence Plan|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193121/http://204.17.79.244/profiles/cw_mrecon.html |archivedate = October 12, 2007}}</ref> Poverty has affected children at a disproportionately higher rate, with 40.1% of those under the age of 18 living below the poverty line, concentrated west of downtown in the neighborhoods of [[Hartford, Providence, Rhode Island|Hartford]], [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]], and Olneyville.<ref name=povmap/>
===Crime===
{{Infobox UCR
|city_name= Providence
|year= 2013
|homicide= 12
|rape= 97
|robbery= 365
|aggravated_assault= 641
|violent_crime= 1,115
|burglary= 1,828
|larceny_theft= 5,184
|motor_vehicle_theft= 962
|arson= 22
|property_crime= 7,974
|source_url= https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/table-8/table-8-state-cuts/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_rhode-island_by_city_2013.xls
|source_name= 2013 FBI UCR Data
|notes= 2013 population: 178,887
}}
Compared to the national average, Providence has an average rate of violent crime and a higher rate<ref name=numbers>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/table-6|title=FBI Crime Report|publisher=FBI.com|accessdate=May 28, 2011}}</ref> of property crime per 100,000 inhabitants.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Providence&state=RI|title=Providence Crime Report ''City Ranking''|publisher=CityRating.com|accessdate=December 8, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919102702/http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Providence&state=RI|archivedate=September 19, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2010, there were 15 murders, down from 24 in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-murder-rate-declined-in-2010 |title=Providence Murder Rate Fell In 2010 |publisher=WPRI.com |date=January 10, 2011 |accessdate=July 10, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116214524/http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-murder-rate-declined-in-2010 |archivedate=January 16, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2010, Providence fared better regarding violent crime than most of its peer cities. [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] has approximately 20,000 fewer residents than Providence but reported 15 murders in 2009, the same number of homicides as Providence but a slightly higher rate per capita.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/crime_watch/springfield-ma-murders-2010|publisher=WWLP-TV|accessdate=June 7, 2011|title=Springfield, Ma Murders 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901000814/http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/crime_watch/springfield-ma-murders-2010|archivedate=September 1, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The police chief asserted that Providence's violence was not stranger-to-stranger, but relationship-driven.<ref name=projomurder>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_MURDERS_12-20-09_42GQKAD_v32.3991943.html?ocp=2#slcgm_comments_anchor|title=Providence's Murder Rate Spikes in 2009|publisher=Providence Journal|accessdate=December 22, 2009}}</ref> The pattern of violent crime was highly specific by neighborhood, with the vast majority of the murders taking place in the poorer sections of Providence such as Olneyville, Elmwood, South Providence, and the West End.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://local.provplan.org/profiles/tables/crime/increpbyhood_2007_sorted.pdf|title=Violent Crime (Murder, Rape, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault)|publisher=Provplan|accessdate=June 6, 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928232309/http://local.provplan.org/profiles/tables/crime/increpbyhood_2007_sorted.pdf|archivedate=September 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==Economy==
Around 1830, Providence had manufacturing industries in metals, machinery, textiles, jewelry, and silverware. Manufacturing has declined since, but the city is still one of the largest centers for jewelry and silverware design and manufacturing. Services also make up a large portion of the city's economy, in particular education, healthcare, and finance. Providence also is the site of a [[sectional center facility]] (SCF), a regional hub for the U.S. Postal Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actonelists.com/resources/zip.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623045035/http://www.actonelists.com/resources/zip.html|archivedate=June 23, 2007|title=Sectional Center Facility Chart |publisher=Act One Lists|accessdate=June 16, 2007}}</ref> It is the capital of Rhode Island, so the city's economy additionally consists of government services.
[[File:Prov-econ.png|thumb|Over one third of Providence's economy is based in trade, transportation, utilities, and educational and health services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Providence Economy |publisher=Advameg Inc. |work=City-Data.com |year=2007 |url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Economy.html |accessdate=March 13, 2007}}</ref>]]
[[File:Providencetextronside.JPG|thumb|[[Textron Tower|Textron's headquarters]], [[Sovereign Bank Tower (Providence)|One Financial Plaza]], and the Rhode Island Hospital Trust building]]
Prominent companies headquartered in Providence include Fortune 500 [[Textron]], an advanced technologies industrial conglomerate; [[United Natural Foods]], a distributor of natural and organic foods; Fortune 1000 Nortek Incorporated; Gilbane, a construction and real estate company; and GTECH Corporation, which recently moved its world headquarters to downtown Providence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gtech.com/media/fact_sheet.asp?persist=8C934E72427B4F958B9C876926B4BE4A|publisher=GTECH Corporation|title=GTECH Corporation – Company Fact Sheet|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070621051455/http://www.gtech.com/media/fact_sheet.asp?persist=8C934E72427B4F958B9C876926B4BE4A |archivedate = June 21, 2007}}</ref> [[Citizens Financial Group|Citizens Bank]] is also headquartered in Providence and is the 15th largest bank in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/03/24/ranking-the-50-biggest-u-s-banks-from-bofa-to-commerce-bancshares/|title=Ranking the 50 Biggest U.S. Banks: From BofA to Commerce Bancshares|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|accessdate=June 6, 2011|first=Stephen|last=Grocer|date=March 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/history.aspx |publisher=Citizens Financial Group|title=Ownership and History|accessdate=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
The city is home to the Rhode Island Convention Center, which opened in December 1993.<ref name=convention>{{cite web|url=http://www.riconvention.com/why_us/ricc_whyus.html |publisher=Rhode Island Convention Center|title=Rhode Island Convention Center – About Us?|accessdate=June 5, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070604233240/http://www.riconvention.com/why_us/ricc_whyus.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = June 4, 2007}}</ref> Along with a hotel, the convention center is connected to the [[Providence Place|Providence Place Mall]], a major retail center, through a [[skywalk]].<ref name=convention/> The Port of Providence is the second largest deep-water seaport in New England.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port of Providence|url=http://www.pwrr.com/development/pw-served-ports/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426144123/http://www.pwrr.com/development/pw-served-ports/|dead-url=yes|archive-date=26 April 2016|website=pwrr.com|accessdate=15 May 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=economy>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Providence-Economy.html|publisher=Advameg Inc. |work=City-Data.com|title=Providence: Economy—Major Industries and Commercial Activity|accessdate=June 3, 2007}}</ref> It handles cargos such as cement, chemicals, heavy machinery, petroleum, and scrap metal. Providence is also home to some of toy manufacturer [[Hasbro]]'s business operations, although their headquarters are in Pawtucket.
===Top employers===
According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.providenceri.com/efile/5902|title=City of Providence, Rhode Island Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]|page=121|accessdate=March 15, 2015|date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> the top twenty employers in the city are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
! % of Total city employment
|-
|1
||[[Brown University]]
|4,600
|4.30%
|-
|2
|[[Rhode Island Hospital]]
|4,200
|3.93%
|-
|3
|Life Span
|1,990
|1.86%
|-
|4
|[[Women & Infants Hospital]]
|1,800
|1.68%
|-
|5
|[[Roger Williams Medical Center]]
|1,470
|1.38%
|-
|6
|[[Miriam Hospital]]
|1,263
|1.18%
|-
|7
|[[Belo|Belo 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 Grid plc|National Grid]]
|450
|0.42%
|-
|15
|Employment 2000
|400
|0.37%
|-
|16
|[[Verizon]]
|400
|0.37%
|-
|17
|[[Gilbane|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==
[[File:Rhode Island State House 2.jpg|thumb|[[Rhode Island State House]] in the [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style]]
[[File:Providence City Hall 2009.jpg|thumb|right|[[Providence City Hall]] in the [[Second Empire (architecture)|Second Empire Baroque]] style]]
As the state capital, Providence houses the [[Rhode Island General Assembly]], as well as the offices of the [[Governor of Rhode Island|Governor]] and the [[Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island|Lieutenant Governor]] in the [[Rhode Island State House]]. The city itself has a [[Mayor-council government]]. The [[Providence City Council]] consists of 15 councilors, one for each of the city's wards, who enact ordinances and pass an annual budget. Providence also has probate and superior courts. The [[U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island]] is located downtown across from [[Providence City Hall]] adjacent to [[Kennedy Plaza]].
In November 2002, [[David Cicilline|David N. Cicilline]] was elected mayor of Providence, becoming [[List of the first LGBT holders of political offices in the United States|the first openly gay mayor of a United States state capital]].<ref name=firstmayor>{{cite journal |author=Dahir, Mubarak|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Leading+Providence%3a+David+Cicilline+becomes+the+first+openly+gay...-a095916251 |title=Leading Providence: David Cicilline becomes the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital – Politics |journal=The Advocate|publisher=Gale Group|date=December 24, 2002 |accessdate=May 20, 2009 }}</ref>
The city's first Latino mayor was [[Angel Taveras]], who assumed office on January 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/latino-candidates-achieve-political-milestones-in-state-and-local-races/2805/|title=Latino Candidates Achieve Political Milestones in State and Local Races|accessdate=November 24, 2010|publisher=Hispanically Speaking News|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112082359/http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/latino-candidates-achieve-political-milestones-in-state-and-local-races/2805/|archivedate=November 12, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Jorge Elorza]] succeeded him on January 5, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wpri.com/2015/01/05/jorge-elorza-sworn-in-as-providences-38th-mayor/|title=Jorge Elorza sworn in as Providence's 38th mayor|accessdate=January 5, 2015|publisher=wpri.com}}</ref>
==Education==
===Postsecondary===
[[File:Manning Chapel.jpg|right|thumb|Hope College and Manning Hall at Brown University]]
The main campuses of five of Rhode Island's colleges and universities are in Providence (city proper):
* [[Brown University]], an [[Ivy League]] university and one of nine [[colonial colleges]] in the nation
* [[Johnson & Wales University]]
* [[Providence College]]
* [[Rhode Island College]], the state's oldest public college
* [[Rhode Island School of Design]] (RISD)
In addition, the [[Community College of Rhode Island]], [[Roger Williams University]], and [[University of Rhode Island]] have satellite campuses in the city. Between these schools, the number of post-secondary students is approximately 44,000.<ref>This figure is calculated as the sum of individually given figures from school websites, see: {{cite web|url=https://www.brown.edu/web/about/facts/ |title=facts about Brown University|publisher=Brown University|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.ccri.edu/About/general.shtml|publisher=Community College of Rhode Island|title=General Information about CCRI|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}} (Note: exact figures for Providence Campuses were unavailable. For this estimate two fifths of the total student body were approximated to go to two of the five campuses_, {{cite web|url=http://www.johnsonandwales.edu/prov/index.htm |title=Johnson & Wales Providence|publisher=Johnson & Wales University|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.providence.edu/About+PC/Fast+Facts/ |title=Providence College – Fast Facts|publisher=Providence College|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |title=about RIC|publisher=Rhode Island College|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/aboutrisd.cfm |title=RISD: About RISD|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}, and {{cite web|url=http://autocrat.uri.edu/1346.html |publisher=University of Rhode Island|title=About US|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608115004/http://www2.ric.edu/aboutRIC/ |archivedate = June 8, 2007}}</ref> Higher education exerts a considerable presence in the city's politics and economy, compounded by the fact that Brown University is the city's second-largest employer.<ref name=economy/>
===Private and charter schools===
There are several private schools in the city's [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]], including [[Moses Brown School|Moses Brown]], the [[Lincoln School, Rhode Island|Lincoln School]], and the [[Wheeler School]]. [[La Salle Academy, Providence|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/news/files/9E0BC30F74514CA18DB979D75C88BEBF.pdf|format=PDF|title=The Providence Public School District at a Glance|publisher=Providenceschools.org|accessdate=June 11, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071128080535/http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/news/files/9E0BC30F74514CA18DB979D75C88BEBF.pdf |archivedate = November 28, 2007}}</ref> In addition, the city's South Side houses Community Preparatory School, a private school serving primarily low-income students in grades 3–8.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.communityprep.org/htm/1story.htm |publisher=Community Preparatory School |title=About CPS|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927020529/http://www.communityprep.org/htm/1story.htm |archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref>
There are two separate centers for students with special needs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/students/index.html|publisher=Providence Schools|title=About the Student Body|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050204131744/http://www.providenceschools.org/dept/students/index.html |archivedate = February 4, 2005}}</ref>
===Public schools===
The [[Providence Public School District]] serves about 30,000 students from pre-Kindergarten to grade 12. The district has 25 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and thirteen high schools. The Providence Public School District features [[magnet school]]s at the middle and high school level, [[Nathanael Greene Middle School|Nathanael Greene]] and [[Classical High School|Classical]] respectively. The overall graduation rate {{as of|2007|lc=y}} is 70.1%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ride.ri.gov/Commissioner/news/pressrels/2008%20Press%20Release/Newly%20Calculated%20Graduation%20Rates%20for%202007.pdf|format=PDF|title=State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Department of Education Report|accessdate=January 3, 2009|publisher=State of Rhode Island Department of Education}}</ref> which is close to the statewide rate of 71% and the national average of 70%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_03_appendix_tables_2-3.htm|title=Manhattan Institute Education Working Paper|publisher=Manhattan Institute|accessdate=January 3, 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227091817/http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_03_appendix_tables_2-3.htm|archivedate=December 27, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Rhode Island also operates two public schools in Providence.
==Culture==
[[File:ProvidencePerformingArtsCenter.jpg|right|thumb|The Providence Performing Arts Center]]
{{See also|Media in Providence metropolitan area}}
Much of Providence culture is synonymous with the [[culture of Rhode Island]] as a whole. Like the state, the city has a [[non-rhotic]] accent that can be heard on local media. Providence also shares Rhode Island's affinity for coffee, with the most coffee and doughnut shops per capita of any city in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t5597.html |title=Chewing over why we love doughnut shops|author=Patinkin, Mark|publisher=The Providence Journal |date=August 10, 2004 |accessdate=January 20, 2007}}</ref> Providence is also reputed to have the highest number of restaurants per capita of major U.S. cities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kevinfields.articlealley.com/which-city-really-does-have-the-most-restaurants-per-capita-108023.html|title=Which City Really Does Have The Most Restaurants Per Capita?|accessdate=November 11, 2011|publisher=ArticleAlley.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127083445/http://kevinfields.articlealley.com/which-city-really-does-have-the-most-restaurants-per-capita-108023.html|archivedate=January 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> many of which are founded or staffed by [[Johnson & Wales University]] graduates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/rhode-island/providence |publisher=Moving Traffic, Inc.|title=Providence, Rhode Island|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Providence-Federal-Hill-Pineapple.2008-05-05.imgp7906.jpg|left|thumb|The gateway arch over Atwells Avenue is a [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] landmark. A sculpture of a [[Pine nut|pignoli cluster]] hangs from the center.]]
Providence has several ethnic neighborhoods, notably [[Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Federal Hill]] and the [[Charles, Providence, Rhode Island|North End]] (Italian),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/charles.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Charles|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> [[Fox Point, Providence, Rhode Island|Fox Point]] (Portuguese),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/foxpoint.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Fox Point|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> [[West End, Providence, Rhode Island|West End]] (mainly Central American and Asians),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/westend.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=West End|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> and [[Smith Hill, Providence, Rhode Island|Smith Hill]] (Irish with miscellaneous enclaves of other groups).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/Neighborhoods/smhill.html |publisher=City of Providence|title=Smith Hill|accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> There are also many dedicated community organizations and arts associations located in the city.<ref name="hist2">{{cite web|year=2002 |url=http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |title=Three and One-Half Centuries at a Glance |work=History & Facts: America's Renaissance City |publisher=The City of Providence, Rhode Island |accessdate=January 17, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113213109/http://www.providenceri.com/history/centuries1.html |archivedate=January 13, 2006 |df= }}</ref>
The city gained the reputation as one of the most active and growing gay and lesbian communities in the Northeast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gay.com/travel/article.html?sernum=9619 |title=Providence, R.I.: The gayest city you've driven right past |year=2007 |publisher=PLANETOUT INC. |accessdate=January 17, 2007 |author=Link, Matthew}}</ref><ref name=gay>{{cite web|url=http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/rhode_island/rinews21.htm|title=Gay Business Comfortable in R.I.|author=K. Alexa Mavromatis|accessdate=June 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008043926/http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/rhode_island/rinews21.htm|archive-date=October 8, 2007|dead-url=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The rate of reported gay and lesbian relationships is 75% higher than the national average,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/gayInfo.php?locIndex=13448 |publisher=ePodunk Inc.|title=Providence, RI (Providence County) – city gay Index – ePodunk|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> and Providence has been named among the "Best Lesbian Places to Live".<ref name=gay/> Former mayor [[David Cicilline]] won his election running as an openly gay man,<ref name=firstmayor/> Former Mayor Cianci instituted the position of Mayor's Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian community in the 1990s.<ref name=gay/> and Providence is home to the largest [[gay bathhouse]] in New England.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kenneth H. Mayer, MD |title=Optimizing high risk men's sexual health: The Providence bathhouse experience|url=http://apha.confex.com/apha/134am/techprogram/paper_132530.htm |work=Alpha Public Health and Human Rights |date=September 8, 2006 }}</ref>
[[File:20060703 Providence State House Fireworks.jpg|right|thumb|Fireworks at the State House during the 2006 July 4 celebration]]
During the summer months, the city regularly hosts [[WaterFire]], an [[environmental art]] installation that consists of about 100 bonfires which blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://waterfire.org/about-waterfire/welcome |title=About|publisher=waterfire.org|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> There are multiple Waterfire events that are accompanied by various pieces of [[european classical music|classical]] and [[world music]]. The public art displays change on a regular basis, most notably the sculptures.
The city is also the home of the [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]-winning theater group [[Trinity Repertory Company]], the [[Providence Black Repertory Company]], and the [[Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra]],<ref name=culture>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=13448|title=Providence, Rhode Island RI, city profile (Providence County)|publisher=ePodunk Inc.|accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref> as well as groups such as [[The American Band]], once associated with noted American composer [[David Wallis Reeves]]. Providence is also the home of several performing arts centers, such as the [[Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Providence)|Veterans Memorial Auditorium]], the [[Providence Performing Arts Center]], and the Providence Festival Ballet. The city's underground music is centered on artist-run spaces such as the now-defunct [[Fort Thunder]] and is known in underground music circles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thephoenix.com/article_ektid21625.aspx |title=Keys to the Underground |publisher=Boston Phoenix |author=Fox, Andrew |date=August 30, 2006 |accessdate=January 24, 2007}}</ref> Providence is also home to the [[Providence Improv Guild]], an [[improvisational theatre]] that has weekly performances and offers improv and sketch comedy classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://improvpig.com/|title=P.I.G. Providence Improv Guild|website=Providence Improv Guild}}</ref>
===Sites of interest===
{{See also|List of Registered Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island}}
[[File:bankandchurch.JPG|thumb|Old Stone Bank and Unitarian Church]]
Providence is home to a {{convert|1200|acre|km2|adj=on}} park system,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/government/parks/ |title=Parks Department |publisher=City of Providence |accessdate=November 8, 2007}}</ref> notably [[Waterplace Park]] and Riverwalk, [[Roger Williams Park]], [[Roger Williams National Memorial]], and [[Prospect Terrace Park]]. Prospect Terrace Park features expansive views of the downtown area, as well as a 15-foot tall granite statue of Roger Williams gazing over the city. As one of the first cities in America, Providence contains many [[List of Registered Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island|historic buildings]], while the East Side neighborhood in particular includes the largest contiguous area of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S., with many pre-revolutionary houses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnewengland.com/current_category.77/current_advcategory.234/companies_list.html?print_page=1 |publisher=Mystic Media, Inc. and Visit New England |title=Cities of New England|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref>
The East Side is also home to the [[First Baptist Church in America]], which was founded by Williams in 1638, as well as the [[Old State House (Providence, Rhode Island)|Old State House]] which served as the state's capitol from 1762 to 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbcia.org/page116.html |publisher=fbcia.org|title=History Book|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625171838/http://www.fbcia.org/page116.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=June 25, 2007}}</ref> Nearby is Roger Williams National Memorial. The dome of the [[Rhode Island State House|State House]] is the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world and the second-largest marble dome after [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Rome.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |publisher=State of Rhode Island General Assembly |title=Rhode Island Facts and Figures |accessdate=January 20, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223014709/http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |archivedate=February 23, 2007 |df= }}</ref> The [[Westminster Arcade]] is the oldest enclosed shopping center in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-129339317.html |title=32-story condo tower would hold R.I.'s highest homes|publisher=Providence Journal |date=February 26, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=125362 |title=Rhode Island State House |publisher=Emporis |year=2007 |accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Providence Cathedral, RI edited.JPG|right|thumb|[[Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence|Providence Catholic Cathedral]] and environs]]
The [[Rhode Island School of Design Museum]] contains the 20th-largest collection in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/museum_membership.cfm |title=Museum: Membership|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601230900/http://www.risd.edu/museum_membership.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=June 1, 2007}}</ref> The [[Providence Athenæum]] is the fourth oldest library in the United States, in addition to the [[Providence Public Library]] and the nine branches of the Providence Community Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceathenaeum.org/history/history.html|publisher=Providence Athenaem|title=History of the Providence Athenaeum|accessdate=January 2, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108150631/http://www.providenceathenaeum.org/history/history.html|archivedate=November 8, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Edgar Allan Poe]] frequented the library, and met and courted [[Sarah Helen Whitman]] at the library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=providence@124&cur_section=sig&property_id=47270|title=Providence Athenaem|publisher=Fodor's Travel|accessdate=August 16, 2007}}</ref> [[H. P. Lovecraft]] was also a regular patron.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/travel/hp-lovecraft-providence.html</ref>
The Alex and Ani City Center (formerly the [[Bank of America]] Skating Center and Fleet Skating Center) is located near Kennedy Plaza in the downtown district, connected by pedestrian tunnel to [[Waterplace Park]], a cobblestone and concrete park below street traffic that abuts Providence's three rivers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceskating.com/|publisher=providenceskating.com|title=Bank of America City Center|accessdate=June 10, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519041052/http://www.providenceskating.com/|archivedate=May 19, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=86|title=Riverwalk & Waterplace Park – Great Public Spaces|author=Lisa Palmer|publisher=Project for Public Spaces, Inc.|accessdate=June 10, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319013230/http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=86|archivedate=March 19, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=alexandani/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pbn.com/Providence-Rink-to-become-Alex-and-Ani-City-Center,101611|title=Providence Rink to become Alex and Ani City Center|work=Providence Business News|date=November 20, 2014|author=Stabile, Lori|accessdate=February 14, 2017}}</ref>
The southern part of the city is home to the famous roadside attraction [[Big Blue Bug|Nibbles Woodaway]] (also known as the "Big Blue Bug"), the world's largest [[termite]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebug.com/ |publisher=New England Pest Control|title=Who We Are|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref> Roger Williams Park contains a [[zoo]], a botanical center, and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providenceri.com/parks-and-rec/roger-williams-park |publisher=City of Providence|title=Roger Williams Park|accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref>
Another well-known site is the [[Providence Biltmore]] Hotel located downtown near [[Kennedy Plaza]], a historic location built in 1922.<ref>Providence Biltmore Hotel, [http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.html History], accessed January 21, 2017</ref> The hotel closed in 1974; it was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1977, and it reopened in 1979.
===Sports===
[[File:New York City, Southern RI and CT, illuminated at night.jpg|thumb|Providence, Rhode Island and region at night, as seen from space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82155|title=Long Island Sound Region at Night : Image of the Day|date=September 20, 2013|website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov}}</ref>]]
The city is home to the [[American Hockey League]] team [[Providence Bruins]], which plays at the [[Dunkin' Donuts Center]] (formerly the [[Providence Civic Center]]). From 1926 to 1972, the AHL's [[Providence Reds]] (renamed the Rhode Island Reds in their last years)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azhockey.com/Pr.htm#Providence%20Reds |title=Providence Reds |date=October 4, 2005 |publisher=A to Z Encyclopedia of Ice Hockey |accessdate=November 9, 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127125049/http://www.azhockey.com/Pr.htm#Providence%20Reds |archivedate=November 27, 2005 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> played at the [[Rhode Island Auditorium]]. In 1972, the team relocated to the [[Providence Civic Center]], where they played until moving to [[Binghamton, New York]], in 1977.
The city has two rugby teams, the Rugby Union team Providence Rugby Football Club, and the Semi-Professional [[Rugby League]] team The [[Rhode Island Rebellion]], which play at [[Classical High School]]. In 2013 the Rebellion finished the [[USA Rugby League]] (USARL) regular season in third place. Their playoff run took them to the USARL Semi-Finals, the first time the Rebellion made the playoffs in its short three-year history.
The [[National Football League|NFL]]'s [[New England Patriots]] and [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]'s [[New England Revolution]] play in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], which is situated halfway between Providence and Boston. Providence was formerly home to two major league franchises: the NFL's [[Providence Steam Roller]] in the 1920s and 1930s, and the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s [[Providence Steamrollers]] in the 1940s. The Rhode Island Auditorium also hosted 29 of the 49 boxing fights of [[Rocky Marciano]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Eisele, Andrew |url=http://boxing.about.com/od/records/a/marciano.htm |title=Rocky Marciano |publisher=About.com |year=2007 |accessdate=January 17, 2007}}</ref>
The city's defunct baseball team, the [[Providence Grays]], competed in the [[National League]] from 1879 through 1885. The team defeated the [[New York Metropolitans]] in baseball's first successful "world championship series" in [[1884 World Series|1884]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://providencegrays.org/About_Our_Project/about_our_project.html |publisher=providencegrays.org|title=About Our Project|accessdate=June 10, 2007|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035707/http://providencegrays.org/About_Our_Project/about_our_project.html |archivedate = September 27, 2007}}</ref> In 1914, after the [[Boston Red Sox]] purchased [[Babe Ruth]] from the then-minor league [[Baltimore Orioles (minor league)|Baltimore Orioles]], the team prepared Ruth for the major leagues by sending him to finish the season playing for a minor league team in Providence that was also known as the Grays. Today, professional baseball is offered by the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]], the AAA affiliate of the [[Boston Red Sox]], which plays in nearby [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island|Pawtucket]]. Most baseball fans—along with the local media—tend to follow the Boston Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/redsox/|title=Boston Red Sox|publisher=Providence Journal|accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref>
Major colleges and universities fielding NCAA Division I athletic teams are [[Brown University]] and [[Providence College]]. The latter is a member of the [[Big East Conference (2013–present)|Big East Conference]]. Much local hype is associated with games between these two schools or the [[University of Rhode Island]].
Providence has also hosted the alternative sports event [[Gravity Games]] from 1999 to 2001, and was also the first host of [[ESPN]]'s [[X Games]], known in its first edition as the Extreme Games, in 1995. Providence has its own [[roller derby]] league. Formed in 2004, it currently has four teams: the Providence Mob Squad, the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, the Old Money Honeys, and the Rhode Island Riveters. Providence is also home to the headquarters of the [[American Athletic Conference]] (The American).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/9057093/the-steps-new-big-east-conference-college-basketball|title=What's next for the 'old Big East'|last=Katz|first=Andy|publisher="ESPN"|date=March 15, 2013|accessdate=July 1, 2013}}</ref>
==Infrastructure==
===Health and medicine===
Providence is home to [[List of hospitals in Rhode Island|eight hospitals]], most prominently [[Rhode Island Hospital]], the largest general [[acute care]] hospital in the state. It is also the [[Level I Trauma Center]] for Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhodeislandhospital.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH124836 |title=About Rhode Island Hospital |publisher=Lifespan |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413170433/http://www.rhodeislandhospital.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH124836 |archivedate=April 13, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The hospital is in a complex along [[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|I-95]] that includes Hasbro Children's Hospital and Women and Infants Hospital. The city is also home to the [[Roger Williams Medical Center]], St. Joseph Hospital For Specialty Care (a division of St. Joseph Health Services Of Rhode Island), [[The Miriam Hospital]], a major teaching affiliate associated with the [[Alpert Medical School]] of [[Brown University]], as well as a [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|VA]] medical center.
The Rhode Island Blood Center has its main headquarters in Providence. Since 1979, the Rhode Island Blood Center has been the sole organization in charge of [[blood donation|blood collection]] and [[blood bank|testing and distribution]] of blood products to 11 hospitals in Rhode Island.
===Transportation===
[[File:Providence train station.JPG|thumb|[[Providence Station]]]]
[[File:Providence CityHall.jpg|thumb|left|RIPTA buses in front of Providence City Hall]]
[[File:b4sunset.jpg|thumb|right|Early construction on the [[Iway]] 195 relocation project from across the [[Narragansett Bay]]]]
Providence is served by [[T. F. Green Airport]] in [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]], and general aviation fields also serve the region. [[Massport]] has been promoting T. F. Green as an alternative to Boston's [[Logan International Airport]] because of over-crowding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.massport.com/airports/tfgreen.html |title=T.F.Green |publisher=Massport |accessdate=June 5, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629023444/http://www.massport.com/airports/tfgreen.html |archivedate=June 29, 2007 }}</ref>
[[Providence Station]] is located between the [[Rhode Island State House]] and the downtown district and is served by [[Amtrak]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=PVD|publisher=Amtrak|title=Providence, RI (PVD)|accessdate=June 5, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604101914/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&code=PVD|archivedate=June 4, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] services, with a commuter rail route running north to Boston and south to [[T. F. Green Airport station|T.F. Green Airport]] and [[Wickford Junction (MBTA station)|Wickford Junction]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=PROVSTOU |title=Schedules & Maps|publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|accessdate=June 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pvdairport.com/main.aspx?guid=16194395-4c86-443a-a196-999d8072869d |publisher=Rhode Island Department of Transportation|title=RIAC breaks ground on Warwick Intermodal Facility|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref> Approximately 2,400 passengers pass through the station per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakBackgroundInformationFacts-022007.pdf|format=PDF|title=Amtrak Background Information Facts|page=2|publisher=Amtrak|accessdate=June 6, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152542/http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakBackgroundInformationFacts-022007.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srpedd.org/03tplanch11d.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614152543/http://www.srpedd.org/03tplanch11d.pdf|archivedate=June 14, 2007 |format=PDF|publisher=srpedd.org|title=Chapter 11: Commuter Rail|page=2|accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref>
[[Interstate 95 in Rhode Island|I-95]] runs from north to south through Providence; [[Interstate 195 (Rhode Island)|I-195]] connects the city to eastern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, including [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]] and [[Cape Cod]]. [[Interstate 295 (Rhode Island)|I-295]] encircles Providence, while [[RI 146]] provides a direct connection with [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]. The city commissioned and began the long-term project [[Iway]] in 2007 to move I-195 for safety reasons, to free up land, and to reunify the Jewelry District with Downcity Providence, which had been split from one another by the highway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.ri.gov/engineering/construction/195intro.asp |title=Relocating I-195 in Providence |year=2007 |publisher=Rhode Island Department of Transportation |accessdate=March 5, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228170341/http://www.dot.ri.gov/engineering/construction/195intro.asp |archivedate=February 28, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The project was estimated to cost $610 million.
[[Kennedy Plaza]] in downtown Providence serves as a transportation hub for local public transit as well as a departure point for [[Peter Pan Bus Lines]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/terminals.php#RI |publisher=Peter Pan Bus LInes|title=Tickets – Terminal Listings|accessdate=June 5, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509113855/http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/terminals.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=May 9, 2007}}</ref> and [[Greyhound Lines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/rhode-island/providence/bus-station-50028|title=Greyhound: Providence, Rhode Island|publisher=Greyhound Lines, Inc.|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Public transit is managed by [[Rhode Island Public Transit Authority]] (RIPTA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ripta.com/ |title=RIPTA|publisher=Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority|accessdate=June 5, 2007}}</ref> Through RIPTA alone, Kennedy Plaza serves more than 71,000 people a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ripta.com/content1477.html |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority|title=RIPTA Accomplishments in FY2006|accessdate=June 6, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704232742/http://www.ripta.com/content1477.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=July 4, 2007}} 25,943,883 boardings / 365 days = 71,079 daily.</ref> The majority of the area covered by RIPTA is served by traditional buses. Of particular note is the [[East Side Trolley Tunnel]] running under College Hill, the use of which is reserved for RIPTA buses. RIPTA also operates the ''Providence LINK'', a system of tourist trolleys in downtown Providence. From 2000 to 2008, RIPTA operated a seasonal ferry to [[Newport, Rhode Island]] between May and October, but [[SeaStreak]] began operating that ferry route in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://seastreak.com/ferry-routes-and-schedules/between-providence-newport-ri/|title=Schedule & Fares Between Providence & Newport, RI|accessdate=July 7, 2016|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821173405/https://seastreak.com/ferry-routes-and-schedules/between-providence-newport-ri/|archivedate=August 21, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Utilities===
Electricity and natural gas are provided by [[National Grid (USA)|National Grid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/business/content/projo_20060217_grid17.1d64dbea.html|publisher=Providence Journal|title=Electric utility buying R.I. gas company|author=David McPherson|accessdate=June 25, 2007}}</ref> Providence Water is responsible for the distribution of drinking water, ninety percent of which comes from the [[Scituate Reservoir]] about {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} west of downtown, with contributions coming from four smaller bodies of water. Drinking water in Providence has been rated among the highest quality in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.provwater.com/introduction.htm|title=Providence Water Introduction|publisher=Providence Water|accessdate=June 25, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701104422/http://www.provwater.com/introduction.htm|archivedate=July 1, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.provwater.com/watershed.htm|title=Providence Water Watershed|publisher=Providence Water|accessdate=June 25, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611101151/http://www.provwater.com/watershed.htm|archivedate=June 11, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_WATER_TOP_12-15-09_TSGPV8S_v68.38aef98.html|title=Providence tap water ranks with the nation's best|accessdate=July 6, 2010|publisher=Providence Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/110/cities-with-best-and-worst-tap-water.html|title=Cities with best and worst tap water|accessdate=June 7, 2011|publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref>
==Sister cities==
{{As of|2008}}, Providence had three official [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/2008/11/20/sister-sister-providence-forges-ties-abroad/|title=Sister, Sister: Providence forges ties abroad|author=Zheng, Connie|date=November 20, 2008|work=Brown Daily Herald|accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CPV}} [[Praia]] (1994)
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Florence]] (2002)
* {{flagdeco|DOM}} [[Santo Domingo]] (2004)
==See also==
{{Portal|Rhode Island}}
* [[List of people from Providence, Rhode Island]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Providence]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island]]
* [[Neighborhoods in Providence]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
<!--{{Cnote|d|Figure includes Hasbro Children's Hospital as part of Rhode Island Hospital.}}-->
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Further reading==
* {{cite web |url=http://www.riedc.com/riedc/ri_databank/31/266/ |title=EDC Profile City of Providence |publisher=Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation |year=2006}}
* {{Cite book|author1=Samantha Cook |author2=Greg Ward |author3=Tim Perry |chapter=Providence |title=The Rough Guide USA |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2004 |isbn=1-84353-262-X |pages=243–247}}
* {{Cite book|author=Rich, Wilbur C. |chapter=Vincent Cianci and Boosterism in Providence, Rhode Island |title=Governing Middle-Sized Cities |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |year=2000 |isbn=1-55587-870-9 |pages=197–216}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|Providence, Rhode Island}}
* {{Official website|http://www.providenceri.com}}
* [http://www.goprovidence.com/ Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Providence}}
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/sets/72157624951327613/detail/ Portrait of Providence from Altitude, 2010], aerial photos by [[Doc Searles]]
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[[Category:Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Cities in Rhode Island]]
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