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Sister Cities

The Sister Cities program was established to create a force for international cooperation and understanding through community involvement and people-to-people relationships. The committee's programs include: school affiliations and educational exchanges, business and community interaction, technical assistance, cultural exchanges, citizens' visits, youth leadership development programs and sports exchanges.

In 1972 Baltimore entered into its first Sister City relationship. Presently, Baltimore has ten sister affiliations: Ashkelon, Israel; Bremerhaven, Germany; Genoa, Italy; Gbarnga, Liberia; Kawasaki, Japan; Luxor, Arab Republic of Egypt; Odessa, Ukraine; Piraeus, Greece; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Xiamen, China.

ASHKELON, ISRAEL

Ashkelon is located on the southern coast of Israel adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, six miles from the northern Gaza Strip. It is 32 miles from Jerusalem and 44 miles from Tel Aviv.  Ashkelon, a city of over 116,000 residents, is witnessing a development and building boom, and is the regional and business center for all towns in the region. The city boasts tourist sites, modern planning, and excellent educational, cultural and community facilities.  Its origins date back approximately 5000 years and it is considered to be one of the world’s most ancient cities, a cradle of human culture.

BREMERHAVEN, GERMANY

Bremerhaven was founded in 1827 as a harbor for Bremen. A relationship began with Baltimore city in 2007. Located on the North Sea of Germany, Bremerhaven is the largest German city on that coast. The Port of Bremerhaven is known as - "Bremenports". One of the most important German ports, it is responsible for most of its trade with Baltimore. Bremerhaven played large role in the history of immigration to the United States in the 19th and early 20th century; over 1.2 million people emigrated from Bremerhaven to Baltimore between 1830 and 1914. Bremerhaven ranks second in Europe's car imports and exports and is a major business partner with Baltimore / Maryland. Bremerhaven is also home to two professional sports teams, the basketball team "Eisbaeren Bremerhaven", and hockey team "Fishtown Penguins" Every five years Bremerhaven is host to "Sail Bremerhaven", a one-week long international gathering of ocean-going sailing vessels and windjammers. Up to 250 ships from over 20 nations participate, including our "Pride of Baltimore II" (2005). A historic dock named "Baltimore Pier" is named in commemoration of the first ship sailing into the new Bremerhaven harbor on September 12, 1830, which was the Baltimore ship "Draper."

GENOA, ITALY

The main center of the Liguri Genuates, Genoa as a maritime emporium in the 5th century BC. While Genoa currently serves as a commercial port, it entices visitors with its sophisticated seaside charm and16th century palaces. The native home of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is a city proud of itshistory and legend.

GBARNGA, LIBERIA

A major town located in the western region of Liberia, Gbarnga bustles withits exciting and busy open-air markets where visitors can find anything from fresh produce to beautiful, intricate jewelry.

KAWASAKI, JAPAN

Kawasaki, located in the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, has made a great contribution to the Japanese economy as aleading industrial city. Despite its industrial roots, Kawasaki has become an exciting, multicultural city. enjoys a reputation asan environmentally conscious city where citizens’ standard of living is a top priority. With many foreign residents, Kawasaki has become an exciting, multicultural city.

LUXOR, THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

Luxor has often been called the world's greatestopen-air museum. The number of monuments and relics in the Luxor area is beyond compare with anywhere else in the world. Almost every area of the city tells of the grandeur and power of the Egyptians thousands of years ago.

ODESSA, UKRAINE

Odessa, the third largest Ukrainian city, is a majorindustrial, cultural, scientific, and resort center in the Northern Black Sea region. Many beautiful beaches along the Balck Sea, along with a mild climate, attract thousands of tourists every year, earning Odessa the title “Southern Palmira.”

PIRAEUS, GREECE

Piraeus is one of Greece's largest cities and hometo its biggest port. Piraeus was first settled in the time of Themistocles, when the Long Walls were built. The commercial harbor Piraeus is one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The city is an important industrial zonefor the Greek economy, but its center is filled with broad, tree-lined streets,spacious squares and parks.

ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Founded in 1328, Rotterdam is one of the largestcities of the Netherlands and is home to thelargest port in the world. At one time just a small, quiet fishing harbor, now Rotterdam is a bustling city that is constantly growing. Rotterdam prides itself on fascinating architecture and a society rich in culture.

XIAMEN, CHINA

Xiamen, China's cleanest and most beautiful seaport city, is located on the coast of the southeastern Fujian Province. The city dates to the Song Dynasty and has long been an important trading port. Xiamen is rapidly growing, with a strong economy and modern infrastructure. Over the past twenty years, Xiamen has increasingly focused on expanding international trade, education, and tourism.