When the Puritans expelled Roger Williams from Massachusetts, he set out to find another place to settle. He came across a place at the head of Narragansett Bay, which he quickly named Providence, as a tribute to what he considered “the merciful Providence of God.” As the capital of the state of Rhode Island, Providence today has become the second largest city in New England and is a major economic and political center.

Also known as the “Beehive of Industry,” Providence was one of the first cities in the US to industrialize, and even today it is known for its burgeoning jewelry and silverware industry. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Providence was dominated by organized crime and was the home of the New England mob. Not surprisingly, the city has the largest population of Italians in the New England area.

Over time, the city began to revive, and local politicians made a serious effort to portray the city as a center for the arts. In the 1990s it began to be known as ‘The City of the Renaissance’, and today it is a thriving cultural center, home to a large number of historic buildings, the Blithewold mansions, gardens and arboretum, the Providence Athenaeum, the Trinity Repertory Company and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

The Providence River runs through the center of this vibrant city, built around seven hills. A mix of river walks, small business districts, old mills, Victorian houses, and modern skyscrapers, the city attracts several settlers. The climate is mostly humid, with cold winters and hot summers. Providence often sees powerful snow storms in winter and has been known to experience hurricanes.

In addition to being a center of government, Providence is also an important educational center. The Brown Ivy League University, the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and many other famous institutions are located in the city. In summer, the city hosts WaterFire, an astonishing spectacle of at least a hundred bonfires that burn on the surface of the three rivers that run through the city, accompanied by numerous artistic and musical events.

Providence, a popular location choice for many movies and television series, has been home to such personalities as Edgar Allen Poe, and continues to attract large numbers of people irresistibly drawn to its distinctive Rhode Island character.