Baltimore Sister Cities

baltimoresistercities.org

ALEXANDRIA

Bibliotheca Alexandria, the great library of Alexandria

Alexandria Egypt

baltimoreegypt.org
Alexandria is the main port of Egypt, situated on the Mediterranean. It is a tourist destination with rich history and waterfront development.

Population: 4,546,231
Language: Arabic
City Founded: 332 BC
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1995

Photo: istockphoto

CHANGWON

Changwon City with harbor and mountains in the background

Changwon South Korea

baltimorechangwon.org
The port city of Changwon, on the southern Korean coast in a region inhabited since the Bronze Age, has a vibrant industry and is renowned for its festivals and natural spaces.

Population: 1,080,000
Language: Korean
City Founded: 2010
Baltimore Sister City Since: 2018

Photo: Changwon City

GBARNGA

Gbargna hillside cityscape

Gbarnga Liberia

Gbarnga is the capital city of Bong County, Liberia, lying north east of Monrovia. It is Baltimore’s first sister city relationship.

Population: 34,046
Language: English, Bassa, Mende, Vai, Kpelle
City Founded: 1920s
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1973

KAWASAKI

Kawasaki at sunset with Mount Fuji in the background

Kawasaki Japan

bkscc.org

The port city of Kawasaki is nestled between Greater Tokyo (nation’s capital) and Yokohama. Kawasaki has an industrial past similar to Baltimore’s and is working to develop other strengths.

Population: 1,437,266
Language: Japanese
City Founded: 1924
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1979

Photo: istockphoto

LUXOR

Ancient Egyptian statues in Thebes (now called Luxor)

Luxor Egypt

baltimoreegypt.org
Luxor originally was the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes and is a stop for Nile cruise ships. It is a tourist destination with a rich history and waterfront development.

Population: 487,896
Language: Arabic
City Founded: 3200 BC
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1982

Photo: Egyptian Tourism Administration

ODESA

Odesa National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet

Odesa Ukraine

baltimoreodesa.org
Odesa is the third-most populous city in Ukraine and a major port and tourism center along the Black Sea, with rich architectural and musical heritages.

Population: 1 million
Language: Ukrainian
City Founded: 1794
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1974

Photo: istockphoto

PIRAEUS

Sunset view of the Mikrolimano marina in Piraeus

Piraeus Greece

Piraeus is the 3rd largest city in Greece, the main port for Athens, and one of the largest passenger marine terminals in the world. Many Greek immigrants came to Baltimore in the early 20th century.

Population: 164,000
Language: Greek
City Founded: 26th century BC
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1982

Photo: istockphoto

ROTTERDAM

Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam, looking towards South Rotterdam (Kop van Zuid)

Rotterdam
The Netherlands

baltimorerotterdam.org
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port. It was bombed in WWII and has been reshaping its cityscape ever since. It is now a city of immigrants from around the world.

Population: 619,879
Language: Dutch
City Founded: 1270
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1985

Photo: Claire Droppert / Rotterdam Image Bank

XIAMEN

Xiamen China

bxscc.org
Xiamen is a port city in Fujian province, located on China’s southeastern coast by the Taiwan Strait. In 1980, it was designated a Special Economic Zone. It is the Chinese headquarters for many US companies.

Population: 3,810,000
Language: Chinese (Amoy dialect)
City Founded: 282 ACE
Baltimore Sister City Since: 1985

Photo: BXSCC

Building Baltimore’s Global Neighborhood.

Mission Statement

Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. (“BSC, Inc.”) is a non-profit, volunteer organization that aims to promote mutual economic development, educational, cultural, health/environmental and other cooperation and exchanges between Baltimore City, Maryland, (“City”) and its international Sister Cities. BSC, Inc., is composed of Sister City Committees dedicated to managing these relationships. BSC, Inc., activities are designed to benefit the City, its residents and the business community by supporting the Mayoral Initiatives of the City and the goals of the Sister Cities International organization.

Support our sister city of Odesa in Ukraine!

Support our sister city during its time of need — make a donation to our fundraising drive. Your donation will be used for humanitarian aid for the citizens of Odesa. Donate here.

Upcoming Events

See the list of upcoming events organized or supported by Baltimore Sister Cities and our sister city committees and our affiliates.

Announcements

Read about announcements, projects, and contributions organized or supported by Baltimore Sister Cities and our sister city committees and affiliates.

Annual Reports & Plans

See the accomplishments and plans for the Baltimore Sister Cities organization.

Japan Film Program 2025

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office , along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University and its Director, Joanna Pecore. Films … [Read More...]

Haunted Koreas Exhibition

Exhibition: HAUNTED KOREAS Dreaming Unification Protest Peace Exhibition: February 12 - May 17, 2025 Artists: Mina Cheon with Kim Il Soon Location: Asian Arts Gallery & Center for the Arts Atrium, Towson University, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Towson, MD 21204 On view: Monday - Saturday 11am - … [Read More...]

Baltimore-Rotterdam architecture & urban design exchange 2025

Exchange Part 1: In March 2025, students and faculty from Morgan State University School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P), representatives from Baltimore Department of Planning, and design professionals travel to Baltimore’s sister city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The trip includes visits to … [Read More...]

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Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services were provided for this gift. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

 

Web site copyright © 2025 Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc.

logo-baltimoreBaltimore sister city committees operate under the auspices of the City of Baltimore’s Office of the Mayor.

 

Brandon M. Scott, Mayor

 

Previous mayor’s Dec 2015 press release about Baltimore Sister Cities becoming a 501(c)(3).

 

Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a 501c3 organization incorporated in the State of Maryland.
Member of  Sister Cities International, Maryland Nonprofits, World Trade Center Institute, Visit Baltimore, & affiliate of Maryland International Education Consortium.