In 1930 a plague practically destroyed the commercial coconut plantations. This happened in 1953 and took the population by surprise. Among the later immigrants are the people who arrived from the Cayman Islands and settled in Providence around the turn of the century, and the Colombians from the mainland who came as merchants and government employees. The western shore is made up of limestone deposits and white clay covered in part by coral sand carried in by the waves. The topsoil is thin and of a dark reddish color with frequent outcroppings of coral rock.
Public education is free from first to twelfth grade.
There are more than 46 private schools and specialized educational centers on the Island with approximately 13.000 students. The first authority in the archipelago is the Governor who is elected by popular vote. Providence has a Mayor, also elected by the inhabitants. The Island dishes are made basically from red snapper and other fishes, conch, lobster and crab. Flavor is added by coconut, plantain, breadfruit and spices.