Page Contents for Providence, Rhode Island

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Rhode Island state capital is Providence.
The population of Providence is approximately 178,126 (2004), 178042 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 67,915 (2000), 62718 (2010).
The amount of land area in Providence is 47.814 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Providence is 18.4 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 5.344 sq kilometers.
The distance from Providence to Washington DC is 367 miles.
The distance to the Rhode Island state capital is miles. (as the crow flies)
Providence is positioned 41.82 degrees north of the equator and 71.41 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Providence elevation is 115 feet above sea level.
Providence per capita income is $ 15,525 (2000).
Providence median income is $ 26,867 (2000).
The Providence median home price is $ 101,500 (2000).
The average winter temperature is 20 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 83 degrees F.

Location

in northeast Rhode Island about 41 miles from Boston and 188 miles from New York City, New York. Other nearby communities include North Providence, Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Valley Falls all in Rhode Island and Seekonk, Massachusetts
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Climate

moderate. It is classed as a humid continental climate with hot summers, cold winters and high humidity most of the year. Precipitation occurs throughout the year with the heaviest falling from November to April.
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History & History Related Items

When Roger Williams was expelled from Massachusetts by the Puritans, he named this new area Providence to honor God's merciful providence in helping him to find a new home. The official name of the state of Rhode Island is actually Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Williams wanted this place to be a refuge for those seeking religious freedoms. King Philip's War from 1675 to 1676 burned much of the existing city at that time. Providence grew slowly but had a number of growth spurts during the next century. It avoided major destruction during the Revolutionary War but did have interruptions to trade, education and business during this time. Providence grew to be a major manufacturing center during the early 1800's.

Check this history page for Providence.
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The founding of Providence

1636

The incorporation of Providence

1832

Attractions

Attractions in Providence

The city is sometimes referred to as the Beehive of Industry

Providence is the home of the nation's oldest indoor shopping mall, the Arcade.
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Providence City Government

City of Providence
25 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
FAX: 274-8240

The city is governed by a fifteen member City Council headed by a Mayor.

Providence is the state capital for Rhode Island

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COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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There is no real county government in Providence County

Providence County Clerk
250 Benefit St.
Providence, RI 02903-2719
Telephone: (401) 277-6710

Providence Historical Events

1828
The nation's oldest indoor shopping mall known as the Arcade. It was built of granite and still stands today as a designated National Historic Landmark. Located at 65 Weybosset Street, in Providence

It is a long Greek Revival building with frontage on two parallel streets. Strong ionic columns greet you at the sidewalk, as does a covered, external walkway leading to all three floors. Entering on any floor, one finds an open, skylighted room with a tasteful mix of shops and restaurants.

Providence Chamber

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
30 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 521-5000
Fax: (401) 751-2434

Providence Organizations

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
30 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 521-5000
Fax: (401) 751-2434

Providence Libraries

Libraries in Providence.

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Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 455-8000

Providence Schools

Providence Public Schools
797 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-456-9100
Fax: 401-456-9252

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Brown University
45 Prospect Street
Providence, RI
Phone: 401-863-1000
A private, non-sectarian, co-educational liberal arts institution. The third oldest college in New England and the seventh oldest in the nation. Tours are available. Please call ahead for hours of operation.

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Providence College
549 River Avenue
Providence, RI
Phone: 401-865-1000
Founded in 1917 by the Dominican Fathers, this is the only Dominican Friars college in the country. It is primarily a four-year college of the liberal arts and sciences.

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Johnson & Wales University
8 Abbott Park Place
Providence, RI
Phone: 401-598-1192
The University offers two and four-year degree programs in business, hospitality, food service and technology. Graduate programs are also available.

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Rhode Island College
600 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Providence, RI
Phone: 401-456-8090
Established in 1854 as the Rhode Island Normal School, RIC is the state's oldest public institution of higher learning. It is a comprehensive college offering a variety of liberal arts and professional programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.

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Rhode Island School of Design
Two College Street
Providence, RI 02903
main telephone line: 401 454-6100 Providence

Miscellany

The population of Providence was:
1708 - 1,446
1730 - 3,916
1776 - 4,300+
1990 - 160,728
2000 - 173,618
2004 - 178,126

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Providence is located in the Eastern Time Zone