What to know about Phoenix’s 11 sister cities (in 11 different countries!)

Phoenix is fortunate enough to have 11 sister cities in 11 different countries. Find out more about every single one!

Unity and collaboration are the antithesis of war. About a decade after WW2, in the early stages of the Cold War, the world was shaken with stress and fear, desiring a more peaceful worldwide community. President Dwight D. Eisenhower envisioned formal partnerships between U.S. cities and foreign cities, launching Sister Cities International in 1956. The idea is that collaboration between sister cities could deepen cultural understanding, foster friendships, and strengthen the exchange of information, ideas, and resources. Phoenix joined this call for unity in 1976 when it partnered with its first sister city of Hermosillo, Mexico. Since then. Phoenix has gained a total of 11 sister cities in 11 different cities—with the most recent sister gained in 2021! 

If you are curious to learn more about how to interact with Phoenix’s Sister Cities, check out their website and consider joining one of the many events that are meant to increase cultural awareness. Many sister cities exchange monuments, parks, students (ever hear of foreign exchange students?), and business ideas. Here is some fascinating information on Phoenix’s 11 sister cities:

1. Hermosillo, México: established sister in 1976

The 16th largest city in Mexico, Hermosillo is the capital of Sonora. Ever hear of the Sonoran desert? With fairly close proximity to Arizona, this sister city bridges a gap between state 48 and Mexico, and you can find many shared industries between these cities. Between Ford Fusion plants, aerospace facilities, and other industry manufacturing, it is not difficult to see the close interest these sister cities share. Maybe consider Hermosillo for your next international getaway and check out a beautiful beach or amazing museum—the first inhabitants of Hermosillo date back 3,000 years, practically guaranteeing an amazing glimpse into history. 

2. Himeji, Japan: established sister in 1976

White Heron Castle is a United Nations World Treasure located in Himeji, Japan. A somewhat isolated city at the time of its sister-city establishment, Himeji has since seen booming industrial growth and today hosts a whole slough of Arizona businesses within its boundaries. In 1976, Phoenix city officials saw the potential of Himeji, and thank goodness they did. It has developed into a wonderfully supportive business relationship for both sides. 

A large white temple in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan, one of Phoenix’s sister cities. (Alessandro Stech/Unsplash)

3. Taipei, Taiwan: established sister in 1979

Between the several tourist destinations and landmarks, it’s no wonder that Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. Yet another wonderful business relationship—Phoenix is, afterall, a booming business city in the U.S.—Phoenix and Taipei share visions of advancement, with a shared focus on technology, alternative energy, bioscience, and manufacturing. More recently, Taipei hosted a “Smart City” contest, seeking new ways to advance the efficiency and flow of the city. Several sister cities share visions of smart cities. 

4. Chengdu, China: established sister in 1987

Though it’s a largely populated hub in China, Chengdu is among one of the oldest cities in the world! That kind of history makes it an invaluable sister city. Chengdu also leads a sister-city sculpture project, where designers from Chengdu create sculptures for various sister cities. Phoenix has not been bestowed with one of these structures of art yet, but we have been fortunate enough to have a connection with a city that has wonderful industry and tourism, and that makes learning some basic Mandarin readily available. 

5. Ennis, Ireland: established sister in 1988

Phoenix is home to the Irish Cultural Center, an ode to the thriving relationship that Phoenix and Ennis share. Since 1988, Phoenix and Ennis have been sister cities, and if you like to travel, this is a fantastic relationship to celebrate. Ennis is a Gaelic word for Island, and this Irish island is home to bustling pubs and music most nights of the week. It is also home to amazing food, architecture, and history.

A colorful street in Ennis, Ireland, one of Phoenix’s sister cities. (Steve Garfield/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

6. Grenoble, France: established sister in 1990

It’s no surprise that the Valley of the Sun is a leader in solar energy. Grenoble, France, is a Phoenix sister city that happens to be a hydroelectric center, which paves the way for turbine development. Besides the obvious alternative energy connection these two cities share, Grenoble is also a leader in physics and computer science, making it an invaluable connection for Phoenix to further develop in these areas.

7. Calgary, Canada: established sister in 1997

Agriculture, music, and oil—these are the industries that Calgary is most known for. That, and an annual rodeo. The parallel between these cities is pretty apparent, making the relationship here symbiotic with industry and leisure.

8. Catania, Italy: established sister in 2001

What is Baroque? When you have no Monet! If you attended the first university of Sicily, the Baroque architecture alone may make this art history pun make sense. Between the university, rich culture, art, and political bustle, Catania is an innovative Italian city on the island below the boot. Its innovative industries and rich tourism make this a wonderful sister for Phoenix. 

Elephant Fountain and Cathedral in Catania, Sicily, one of Phoenix’s sister cities. (Joshua Kettle/Unsplash)

9. Ramat-Gan, Israel: established sister in 2005

Due to British Mandate governance, Israel was established in 1948, with Ramat-Gan officially declared a city in 1950. Nicknamed the garden city for its rich agriculture, Ramat-Gan is also known for its bustling sports scene, diamond exchange, and culture. Just east of Tel Aviv, Ramat-Gan is an important industrial center for Israel and has been a symbiotic sister for Phoenix. Remember, each pair of cities share a give and take. 

10. Prague, Czech Republic: established sister in 2013

Prague is known for its beauty and sophisticated architecture, which is likely why it’s also the largest city and capital of the Czech Republic. The fifth most visited European city, Prague is an economic center for Central and Eastern Europe. Economic relevance, travel enhanced by castles mixed with affordable transportation, and rich history make Prague a desirable sister. Remember that there are youth exchange programs available in each sister city, and consider this a rich educational spot for your curious student. 

11. Suwon, South Korea: established sister in 2021

Although Suwon is Phoenix’s 11th sister city, we are it’s first! Home to Samsung, this partnership is hopeful for business exchange, with agreements between the two mayors to share information about Smart Cities and sustainability, youth education exchange, and arts, culture, and sports exchange. Too new to garner much proof of a supportive relationship, at the very least, this connection bridges a gap and paves the way for creating new city relationships. 

The takeaway

If the concept of sister cities is still convoluted to you, please take away this: Sister cities are an attempt to create friendships and unity worldwide, offering rich insights into culture, creating symbiosis for business and technology, and fostering worldly education for our youth—aka our future leaders. Phoenix is fortunate enough to have 11 of these supportive worldly relationships in 11 different countries, which only add to the innovation and growth that Phoenix can demonstrate to its growing population. In my opinion, a sister city is an answer to a more peaceful world. 

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

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