11. 1986 – Reykjavik, Iceland
Seattle has the largest Icelandic population in the U.S. The sister city partnership has brought in Icelandic artists to Pacific Lutheran University, the Iceland Room at the Nordic Heritage Museum.
Seattle-Reykjavik Sister City Association
12. 1989 – Daejeon, Korea
Daejeon is a large city of 1.5 million and is home to South Korea’s most prestigious university, Chungnam National University. There have been a number of cultural exchanges, including performances by the Daejeon Yeonjeng Municipal Orchestra at Benaroya Hall, visits from the Seattle Trade Alliance, and delegations from Daejeon to Seattle.
More about the relationship between Daejeon and Seattle.
13. 1991 – Cebu, Philippines
Cebu is a bustling metropolis of 1.4 million filled with a wide variety of industry, as well as several universities. Like Seattle, Cebu is a port city. The Seattle-Cebu association focuses on cultural exchanges between citizens of each of the cities and tourism.
More about the relationship between Cebu and Seattle.
14. 1991 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Kaohsiung is the main tourism center for southern Taiwan and is home to many important cultural sites, including the tallest Buddha in all of Taiwan at 105 feet tall, Lotus Lake, a Confucian temple, the Dragon and Tiger pagodas, and Kenting Tropical Botanical Park.
More about the relationship between Kaohsiung and Seattle.
15. 1991 – Pecs, Hungary
Pecs is an ancient city that has been through just about everything—foreign rule, war, and now a time of peace and renewal. Formerly an industrial and mining city, Pecs is toning down its mining and moving into a focus on fine arts.
Seattle-Pecs Sister City Association
16. 1991 – Perugia, Italy
Perugia and Seattle share common commerce, including an expansive culinary scene. The exchanges between these two sister cities range from artist exchanges and teaching opportunities to apprenticeships for young Seattle natives in Perugia.
Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association
17. 1992 – Surabaya, Indonesia
Like Seattle, Surabaya has strong commerce in industries from shipbuilding and heavy equipment, to agriculture and crafts. Education is also at the forefront and Surabaya has several universities. Also like Seattle, there are mountains and coasts nearby. The Surabaya-Seattle association focuses on setting up programs on Indonesian politics, education, and other areas of Indonesia life to foster understanding and connection.
Seattle-Surabaya Sister City Association
18. 1993 – Gdynia, Poland
Gdynia is a city on the Baltic Sea that thrives as a seaport, sailing center, tourism spot and home to the Polish navy. Ties between the two cities have ranged from a relationship with the Gdynia Film Festival (which now includes a Seattle Award), scholarships for Polish students to study in Seattle, and a statue by association member Louise McDowell that now stands in Gdynia.
Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association
19. 1996 – Haiphong, Vietnam
Situated along the Cam River, Haiphong is an important goods-transport point between southern and northern Vietnam. Seattle’s relationship with Haiphong has often revolved around goodwill, including attending a dedication for a clean water system for a small village that formerly had no access to clean water, providing Braille books to a school for the blind, and distributing supplies to orphanages.
More about the relationship between Haiphong and Seattle.
20. 1999 – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville is a port city in Cambodia, which is actually one of the Port of Seattle’s largest trading partners in terms of dollar value. The Sihanoukville-Seattle association focuses on furthering this trading relationship and expanding cultural awareness. Projects have included raising funds for schools in Cambodia, funding a library, hosting visitors, and hosting a Cambodian New Year celebration each year.
Seattle-Sihanoukville Sister City Association