Learn about Reno’s 5 sister cities (in 5 different countries!)

From resort towns to farming communities, learn about Reno’s diverse sister cities in countries across the globe. 

Sister cities—long-term partnerships between two cities in different countries—are becoming increasingly popular. According to Sister Cities International, which was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the U.S. has more than 2,000 sister city partnerships in 145 countries. 

Reno has multiple sister cities in countries across the globe—from England to Israel. Some are tiny agricultural communities, while others are major metropolitan areas or resort towns. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve recognizes the many benefits of sister-city relationships. 

“As a community, Reno is becoming extremely attractive to businesses from across the world. This is an important initiative for us, and we want to explore and make the most of it,” she told Northern Nevada Business Weekly back in 2015 when she hosted a sister city delegation from Wirral, U.K. 

Keep reading to learn more about Reno’s sister cities and what makes each unique. 

1. Wirral, U.K.

Wirral is a metropolitan borough located on the River Mersey in northwest England. Founded in 1974, it has a population of about 322,000 (larger than Reno’s population by about 50,000). Wirral and Reno—two river cities about 5,000 miles apart from one another—became sister cities in 2015. Boosting business opportunities and growth was the primary focus of the partnership.

“There are a whole range of economic assets that we have in common, and I know of many companies in Wirral who are keen to come over to Reno and look at the opportunities to invest and be a part of a city that’s really growing and going places. We can have exchanges going the other way as well. This agreement is a catalyst that both cities can take advantage of,” Phil Davies, former leader of the Wirral Council, told Northern Nevada Business Weekly.  

Wirral is located on a peninsula of the same name, which is surrounded by water on three sides. Therefore, it has a temperate maritime climate. 

2. Udon Thani, Thailand

Located in northeast Thailand, about 7,600 miles away from Reno, Udon Thani is the capital city of the province of the same name. With a population of about 400,000, Udon Thani is Thailand’s sixth largest city. Udon Thani province is located on a plateau that’s more than 600 feet above sea level. Most of the province’s land consists of rice fields, hills, and forests. The city of Udon Thani was home to a U.S. Air Force base during the Vietnam War, and Western influences are still present in the area, plus there’s a growing community of expats.

Udon Thani’s tropical savanna climate means winters are mild and dry while summers are hot. The peak rainy season takes place in August and September. 

3. Taichung, Taiwan

The alliance between Reno and Taichung dates back to 1985. Taichung was established about 100 years earlier, in 1887. Located in Central Taiwan, about 6,550 miles from Reno, Taichung is the country’s second-largest city, with a population of about 2.85 million. The vibrant city has museums, cultural centers, temples, and open-air night markets. It’s also a manufacturing hub. The retail sector is a major contributor to the city’s economy, too. 

Taichung is famous for its suncakes—a flaky pastry that originated in Taichung—and is home to Chun Shui Tang, the teahouse where bubble tea was believed to have been invented. 

The weather in Taichung is warm and humid year-round, thanks to its subtropical climate. 

4. San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian, Spain, is a popular resort town known for its beautiful beaches and exceptional cuisine. Located on the Bay of Biscay in mountainous Basque Country, San Sebastian, or Donostia as it’s called by the locals, has a population of about 188,000. San Sebastian is often referred to as the food capital of Spain thanks to its renowned restaurants, pintxo (Basque-style tapas) bars, and markets. 

San Sebastian is also a cultural center—it was named a European Capital of Culture in 2016—where many internationally recognized festivals and events take place throughout the year. The San Sebastian Jazz Festival, Musical Fortnight, and the San Sebastian International Film Festival are a few of the most popular annual events hosted by the city.  

San Sebastian’s oceanic climate means its summers are warm and its winters are cool. It’s about 5,500 miles away from sister city Reno, which gets more than 300 days of sun per year. 

5. Hatzor, Israel

Hatzor, or Hatzor Ashdod, is Reno’s smallest sister city with a population of about 700. It’s also one of the furthest from Reno, with about 7,200 miles between the two regions. Hatzor is a kibbutz, or communal settlement, located in Southern Israel. It was founded in 1946 and named after a biblical city in the territory of the Tribe of Judah. As a kibbutz, agriculture was the main industry when Hatzor was founded and still remains an important aspect of life in the community today. 

Hot summers and mild winters are the norm in Hatzor, which has a Mediterranean climate. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.