We all know that there is no place in the world quite like Cleveland, but the city does have a number of sister cities around the globe. Sister cities share a community connection, forming a relationship and exchanging culture with each other. These communities are a lot like Cleveland in their reverence of their own history, their exploration of the arts, and their unforgettable eateries. For an incredible experience abroad, consider exploring some of the places in Cleveland’s international family:
- Alexandria, Egypt
kmf164/Flickr Like Cleveland, this historic gem is snuggled up against a scenic coastline. The city shares another commonality with Cleveland in that it is named for its founder, Alexander the Great. Alexandria’s melting pot of cultures provide the city with a culture and attitude of its own, rich with art and heritage.
- West Mayo, Ireland
Panpan Lin/Flickr Since 2003, we maintained a sister city partnership with this region that is home to 31,190 people. County Mayo is the third largest in Ireland and includes Achill Island, the largest island in the country. When the Great Famine struck the country, this area saw more residents leave than in any other region. Many that left came to Cleveland to work on the canal. Today, the region’s economy depends largely on tourist activities like windsurfing and pub-hopping.
- Cleveland, England
Paul Walker/Flickr Unlike the Cleveland we know and love, this community was named for a geographical feature. The name is derived from “cliff-land,” an expression used to describe the region’s abundantly verdant hills and cliffs. Much of the area is farmland, but certain parts are notably urbanized. For the most part, though, this Cleveland across the world offers scenic views that will sweep you off your feet.
- Bratislava, Slovakia
Bruno Vanbesien/Flickr Bratislava is the heart of Slovakia, and it is also its capital. This stunning city is home to only 425,000, but it has the attitude of a big city because its unique location serves as a crossroads for international traffic. Like Cleveland, the city is home to a number of museums and universities. Cleveland is home to the largest Slovak community in the world outside of Slovakia, so you have likely enjoyed traditional Slovak cooking right here at home. However, it tastes incredible when you’re enjoying it with a view of the Danube River.
- Conakry, Guinea
Kris Fricke/Flickr Conakry is the largest city in Guinea. This port city is the capital and makes up nearly 25 percent of the population of what was once French Guinea. Like our beloved city, this stunning community is home to a botanical garden and must-see museums. If you ever pay this city a visit, check out the nightlife at the nearby Iles de Los!
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jorge Franganillo/Flickr Ljubljana serves as Slovenia’s cultural center, and there is an adventurous scientific community that has developed around it. As both the capital and the largest city in Slovenia, this stunning community is the home of their Parliament and President. One of the cities most widely-known structures is the University of Ljubljana. Outside of Slovenia, Cleveland is home to the largest group of Slovenians, so some of the customs you may encounter in Slovenia may surprisingly remind you of home.
- Braşov, Romania
Ștefan Jurcă/Flickr Braşov is located in the scenic Transylvanian countryside, and its beauty will blow you away. Like Cleveland, Braşov is home to a number of chocolate factories! Here, you can swing by the Poiana Braşov or hunt down some locals brews via the bus and trolleybus lines.
- Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia
Noreen Hirschfeld/Flickr Bahir-Dar, like Cleveland, knows a thing or two about lakefront beauty. This charming city on the shore of Lake Tana is the capital of its region and the third largest community in the country. The city is in the process of commercializing, with locals now working in everything from polytechnic industries to food service. Just as we Clevelanders have done, locals in Bahir-Dar have maintained the natural beauty of their splendid surroundings.
- Bangalore, India
PnP!/Flickr Bangalore is a bustling city of 6.5 million, but it is still only India’s fifth-largest metropolitan area. Just as The Land is a bustling city surrounded by rural communities, Bangalore is largely urban with the occasional rural landscape. The city is easily traversed via a rapid transit system, and it is praised as one of the best places to do business in the world. One of its most upscale neighborhoods is known as Cleveland Town, and you’ll definitely want to pay it a visit.
- Fier, Albania
Monika/Flickr Fier is one of Albania’s largest urban centers, and its location between Seman and Aóös Rivers may have contributed to its growth. Today, the city is fueled by industries like manufacturing, energy production, transportation, and telecommunications. Many of Albania’s oil and chemical industries are based out of Fier. As Cleveland has a significant Albanian population, a relationship with an Albanian city was the natural choice for Cleveland.
Cleveland has many sister cities around the globe and, like our city, they thrive upon a community of camaraderie. Where in Cleveland’s international family would you like to visit?
kmf164/Flickr
Like Cleveland, this historic gem is snuggled up against a scenic coastline. The city shares another commonality with Cleveland in that it is named for its founder, Alexander the Great. Alexandria’s melting pot of cultures provide the city with a culture and attitude of its own, rich with art and heritage.
Panpan Lin/Flickr
Since 2003, we maintained a sister city partnership with this region that is home to 31,190 people. County Mayo is the third largest in Ireland and includes Achill Island, the largest island in the country. When the Great Famine struck the country, this area saw more residents leave than in any other region. Many that left came to Cleveland to work on the canal. Today, the region’s economy depends largely on tourist activities like windsurfing and pub-hopping.
Paul Walker/Flickr
Unlike the Cleveland we know and love, this community was named for a geographical feature. The name is derived from “cliff-land,” an expression used to describe the region’s abundantly verdant hills and cliffs. Much of the area is farmland, but certain parts are notably urbanized. For the most part, though, this Cleveland across the world offers scenic views that will sweep you off your feet.
Bruno Vanbesien/Flickr
Bratislava is the heart of Slovakia, and it is also its capital. This stunning city is home to only 425,000, but it has the attitude of a big city because its unique location serves as a crossroads for international traffic. Like Cleveland, the city is home to a number of museums and universities. Cleveland is home to the largest Slovak community in the world outside of Slovakia, so you have likely enjoyed traditional Slovak cooking right here at home. However, it tastes incredible when you’re enjoying it with a view of the Danube River.
Kris Fricke/Flickr
Conakry is the largest city in Guinea. This port city is the capital and makes up nearly 25 percent of the population of what was once French Guinea. Like our beloved city, this stunning community is home to a botanical garden and must-see museums. If you ever pay this city a visit, check out the nightlife at the nearby Iles de Los!
Jorge Franganillo/Flickr
Ljubljana serves as Slovenia’s cultural center, and there is an adventurous scientific community that has developed around it. As both the capital and the largest city in Slovenia, this stunning community is the home of their Parliament and President. One of the cities most widely-known structures is the University of Ljubljana. Outside of Slovenia, Cleveland is home to the largest group of Slovenians, so some of the customs you may encounter in Slovenia may surprisingly remind you of home.
Ștefan Jurcă/Flickr
Braşov is located in the scenic Transylvanian countryside, and its beauty will blow you away. Like Cleveland, Braşov is home to a number of chocolate factories! Here, you can swing by the Poiana Braşov or hunt down some locals brews via the bus and trolleybus lines.
Noreen Hirschfeld/Flickr
Bahir-Dar, like Cleveland, knows a thing or two about lakefront beauty. This charming city on the shore of Lake Tana is the capital of its region and the third largest community in the country. The city is in the process of commercializing, with locals now working in everything from polytechnic industries to food service. Just as we Clevelanders have done, locals in Bahir-Dar have maintained the natural beauty of their splendid surroundings.
PnP!/Flickr
Bangalore is a bustling city of 6.5 million, but it is still only India’s fifth-largest metropolitan area. Just as The Land is a bustling city surrounded by rural communities, Bangalore is largely urban with the occasional rural landscape. The city is easily traversed via a rapid transit system, and it is praised as one of the best places to do business in the world. One of its most upscale neighborhoods is known as Cleveland Town, and you’ll definitely want to pay it a visit.
Monika/Flickr
Fier is one of Albania’s largest urban centers, and its location between Seman and Aóös Rivers may have contributed to its growth. Today, the city is fueled by industries like manufacturing, energy production, transportation, and telecommunications. Many of Albania’s oil and chemical industries are based out of Fier. As Cleveland has a significant Albanian population, a relationship with an Albanian city was the natural choice for Cleveland.
Feeling adventurous? You’ll love exploring these top secret places right in your own backyard.
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