Providence at a Glance:

The city of Providence is located in Providence County, Rhode Island. Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island. Providence was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Providence was incorporated as a town in 1636, and a city in 1832.

The Providence city limits enclose a small geographic region, with a total area of 20.5 square miles, of which 2.1 square miles is water. Providence is located at the head of Narragansett Bay, with the Providence River running into the bay through the center of the city, formed by the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket Rivers. The Waterplace Park amphitheater and riverwalks line the river's banks through downtown. Constitution Hill (near downtown), College (or Prospect) Hill (east of the Providence River), and Federal Hill (west of downtown and is New England's largest Italian district) are the most prominent of the city's hills. The remaining hills include Tockwotten Hill at Fox Point, Smith Hill (where the State House is located), Christian Hill at Hoyle Square (junction of Cranston & Westminster Streets), and Weybosset Hill at the lower end of Weybosset Street, which was leveled in the early 1880s. Providence has 25 official neighborhoods, though these neighborhoods are often grouped together and referred to collectively: The East Side is a region comprising the neighborhoods of Blackstone, Hope (aka Summit), Mount Hope, College Hill, Wayland, and Fox Point. The Jewelry District describes the area enclosed by Routes I95, I-195, and the Providence River. The North End is formed by the combination of the neighborhoods of Charles and Wanskuck. The South Side (or South Providence) consists of the neighborhoods of Elmwood, Lower South Providence, Upper South Providence, and the West End. West Broadway is an officially recognized neighborhood with its own association. It overlaps with the southern half of Federal Hill and the northern part of the West End. The West Side is a vague term sometimes used to mean the West End, Olneyville, Silver Lake, and nearby parts of abutting neighborhoods.

Providence's city government has a mayor-council form of government. The Providence City Council consists of fifteen city councilors, one for each of the city's wards. The council is tasked with enacting ordinances and passing 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 City Hall, adjacent to Kennedy Plaza.