Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is a big city situated in Providence County in the US State of Rhode Island. The city was founded by a Reformed Baptist theologian named Roger Williams in 1636. Being one of New England's oldest cities, Providence was one of the nation's first cities to industrialize and become noted for the textiles, machines, jewelry, and silverware industries. With a population of 190,934, Providence is New England's third-most populous city after the cities of Boston and Worcester.
Geography And Climate Of Providence
Providence sits at the beginning of Narragansett Bay, where the Providence River drains after flowing through the city's center. Providence is supposedly founded on seven hills, much like ancient Rome. These seven hills include Constitution Hill, College Hill, Federal Hill, Tockwotten Hill, Smith Hill, Christian Hill, and Weybosset Hill. Providence covers a total area of 53.31 sq. km, of which 47.67 sq. km is occupied by land, and 5.64 sq. km is covered by water. The city is 252km from New York City, and 80km from Boston, Massachusetts.
According to the Köppen Climate Classification, Providence experiences a humid continental climate and borders a humid subtropical climate. It has warm summers, cold winters, and a high year-long humidity rate. January is the year's coldest month, with daily mean temperatures between -1.6°C to -12°C. July is the year's warmest month, with daily mean temperatures between 23.1°C to 32°C. The location of Providence at the head of Narragansett Bay makes it vulnerable to hurricanes.
History Of Providence
Providence was founded in 1636 by English Puritans, led by Roger Williams. The settlement was founded as a refuge for Puritan dissenters after the Massachusetts Bay Colony ostracized Roger Williams for criticizing land confiscation from natives and advocating for state-church separation. Williams verbally agreed to share the land with Narragansett leaders Canonicus and Miantonomo. Providence was burned down in 1676 during King Phillips War. The town was soon rebuilt and became more economically active, and it also grew physically by incorporating new territories. The town was heavily involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and at one point, enslaved Africans made up approximately 8% of Providence's population in the 1700s. British taxes on sugar heavily affected the rum distilleries in the Providence area. This was one reason, alongside other taxes, that Providence and the rest of Rhode Island joined the American Revolution. The British blockade of Newport caused Providence to become Rhode Island's new primary economic and political driver.
During the ensuing decades, Providence became known for its close contact with Qing China, as three US consuls to China were from the town. During the early to mid-1800s, Providence hosted several immigrants from all over Europe, as well as from the African island of Cape Verde. There were devastating race riots in 1824 and 1831 against the African-American neighborhoods of Hard Scrabble and Snow Town, respectively. Providence later grew to have several electric streetcars. Providence was affected by a Cholera outbreak in 1854. In late 1918, Providence was essentially locked down due to the Spanish Flu. Manufacturing began to slow down in the 1920s, and the Great Depression further exacerbated Providence's economic downturn. There was a crippling hurricane in 1938, which hampered Providence's textile sector. Ensuing decades would be defined by white flight, as a diverse range of migrants began to inhabit the city. The power vacuum was filled in part by the rise of the Italian mob, particularly the gang of Raymond L.S Patriarca. There was a concentrated revival effort in the 1980s and 1990s by both Providence and the state of Rhode Island, and the population slowly began to grow again. Today, Providence still needs to address the challenges of poverty and inequality, but it is taking steps to become a better city as the years go by.
The Population Of Providence
Providence has a population of 190,934, as per the latest US Census. Approximately 51% of the city's residents are white, 15% are black, and 6% are Asian. Among these, 41% also identify as Hispanic. There is also a 1.31% Native American population. A large portion of Providence is religious, at 54%. The vast majority of religious residents identify with Catholic Christianity; a distant second are the followers of Baptist Christianity at 1.6%. The remainder of the city identifies with varying denominations of the Christian faith, while approximately 1.8% of the city identifies with non-Christian religions such as Judaism and Islam.
Attractions In Providence
Roger Williams Park Zoo
A primary attraction in Providence is the Roger Williams Park Zoo. This zoo lets you see spectacular animals while walking along the Marco Polo trail. The Marco Polo trail lets one walk on a path according to Marco Polo's storied journey to Asia, with animals corresponding to the continents and regions he visited.
Rhode Island School Of Design Museum Of Art
This Design Museum is a prime location to admire artwork from various cultures and time periods.
Sports Facilities
Sports enthusiasts can visit Brown University and catch a sports match for the Brown Bears. The Bears play football at the Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium, with a capacity of 20,000. The basketball teams play at the 2,800-seat Pizzitola Sports Center.
Providence is a city with a deep connection to the American nation and its core ideals. Being one of the earliest English settlements and situated in a state core to the American Revolution, Providence is a city with a lot of prestige. While the city has not always lived up to its lofty reputation, it is a city to be respected and remembered for both its past and its future.
