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SISTER CITIES
USA - LONG BEACH
Long Beach lies on the South of San Pedro Bay. The development of the city’s industry and the port was stimulated by the discovery of oil in 1921. The port of Long Beach is one of the world’s busiest ports. In January 2006, Izmir-Long Beach Sister City Association (IzmirLB) was founded. Long Beach is an active sister city of Izmir which works for the promotion of Izmir in the USA through the works of its municipality and IzmirLB Association.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 05.03.2004 Date of Protocol: 13.12.2015
GERMANY- BREMEN
The city of Bremen, situated by the Weser River, is the capital of Bremen Province. Bremen has a population of approximately 600.000. Bremerhaven Port, providing one-third of the employment, is the second busiest port after Hamburg. The port is 16 km inland from Bremen and the North Sea. The city's business centre is located on the right bank of the Weser River. The cultural life of the city is also under the influence of commercial activities. Overseas Museum and Harbor Museum Speicher attract visitors from all over Germany. The City Hall, which is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture, is also worth seeing.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 19.10.1993 Date of Protocol: 1995 Date of Framework Agreement: 1996
USA - TAMPA
The City of Tampa is the third most populous city in Florida. It is located on the west coast of Florida. Tampa is a very amazingly beautiful city with a variety of cultural and historical attractions such as museums, theatres, sites, and parks. Like much of Florida, Tampa’s economy is heavily based on services and tourism. There is a huge net influx of cash into the area. Tampa’s economy is founded on a diverse base that includes tourism, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, technology, and the port. The port of Tampa is now the seventh-largest in the nation and Florida’s largest tonnage port, handling nearly half of all seaborne commerce that passes through the state.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 03.07.1992
AZERBAIJAN - BAKU
Baku is the capital and the biggest city of Azerbaijan. It is also the biggest city in the Caucasus. By 2020, its population is approximately 2.300.000. The city, located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, was selected as the Islamic Culture Capital by the Organization of Islamic Conference in 2009. The city’s economy relies basically on the oil industry. The city, having a significant role in the world’s energy market, reinforces this role with Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 04.09.1985 Date of Protocol: 28.04.1986
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KYRGYZSTAN-BISHKEK
Bishkek is the capital and the biggest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is also the administrative centre of Chüy Province. Between the years 1926 and 1991, the city was called Frunze but in 1991 it was renamed Bishkek. The city’s economy is primarily concentrated on agricultural affairs.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 04.06.1991 Date of Protocol: 24.12.1991
BULGARIA- KARDZHALI
Kardzhali is located in the southern part of Bulgaria. The city is 259 km away from Sofia and 90 km away from Bulgaria’s second-largest city Plovdiv. The nearest border located at a distance of 132 km from the town is the Kapitan Andreevo which connects Bulgaria with Turkey and Greece. The employment capacity of Kardzhali is particularly focused on the industry, construction, agriculture, trade, transportation, and service sectors.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 28.11.2008 Date of Protocol: 27.01.2009
TURKMENISTAN- TURKMENABAD (CHARCOV)
The city of Charcov, renamed Turkmenabad in 1999, is the capital of the Lebap Province. The city is located on the railway line and as of the 2009 census, it has a population of nearly 250.000. Although it is a modern city today, its history dates back to 2000 years old. The modern city was founded in 1886 during the construction of the Central Asian Railway. Turkmen Airlines has direct flights from the capital Ashgabat to Turkmenabad. It is also connected to various cities of Uzbekistan via railway.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 12.11.1993 Date of Protocol: 21.06.1994
BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA-MOSTAR
Located on the banks of the Neretva River, Mostar is the capital of Herzegovina and the 6th largest city in the country. Mostar was named after ˝the bridge keepers˝ (mostari) - the bridge has always been an important symbol in the city.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 25.07.1996 Date of Protocol: 25.07.1996
UZBEKISTAN-BUKHARA
Bukhara Province is located in south Uzbekistan. It covers an area of 143 square kilometres in total. Bukhara has a dry climate and a population of 280 000, according to the 2020 census. 32% of the population lives in the city centre, while 68% live in the suburbs. It has 11 administrative divisions. Bukhara is the administrative centre of the province. The city has a very important historical background dating back to around 2,500 years ago. Along with its natural resources such as natural gas and petroleum, it is also an important cultural and touristic centre of Uzbekistan.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 03.07.1992 Date of Protocol: 25.06.1992
DENMARK- ODENSE
Odense is the third-largest city in Denmark and the largest city on the Funen Island with a population of nearly 200.000 as of the 2021 census. Besides, being founded in 988 AD, it is one of the oldest cities in the country. There are people from different nations living in the city. Therefore, many different languages are spoken on the streets. Several large industries are located in and near Odense. Odense is one of the richest European cities with high individual earnings while the rate of unemployment is very low.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 20.03.1991
CROATIA-SPLIT
Split is one of the most important cities in Croatia. It is the main port for ships travelling to Italy and Croatian Islands. In 1979, UNESCO has declared Diocletian Palace in the city a World Heritage Site.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 20.05.1996 Date of Protocol: 07.12.1998
ISRAEL - TEL AVIV-YAFO
Tel Aviv is the second biggest city in Israel after Jerusalem with a population of nearly 450.000. The city is situated on the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Tel Aviv’s White City was recorded on the UNESCO’s ‘World Heritage List.’ It is the economic centre of Israel and home to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The city also has many companies and research centres. Its beaches, bars, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centres make the city a popular tourist destination. Having the second biggest urban economy in the Middle East, it is the country’s financial capital and the major art and business centre.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 03.07.1996 Date of Protocol: 12.08.1996
TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS - FAMAGUSTA
Famagusta is the only deepwater port of Cyprus and has one of the most strengthened ports in the Mediterranean. The city forms the step between the Near East and Europe. It is 61 km from Nicosia. According to the 2019 census, the city has a population of nearly 90.000. Flour, macaroni, canned food products, soap, plastic, and aluminium are the most important products in the industry. Famagusta is the trade centre of the eastern region of Northern Cyprus and is the busiest and the most modern seaport on the island. The city’s beautiful beaches are among the most well-known ones in the world.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 27.10.1984
Güncel web sitesi: https://www.gazimagusabelediyesi.org/
CUBA-HAVANA
Havana is the capital of Cuba. It is the most populous city in Cuba and the Caribbean Islands with a population of over 2 million. Cigar, sugar cane, and corn are the main sources of income. It is also a touristic city and has a tropical climate. Havana was under Spanish colonial domination for long years. For this reason, Spanish influence is still visible in the city. Havana is one of Latin America’s leading cities. The city is also developed industrially and has significant underground resources.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 21.11.1995 Date of Protocol: 06.11.1996
MOLDOVA- BALTI
Balti is the second-largest city in the Republic of Moldova. Besides being one of the greenest cities in Europe, the city is also an important commercial and industrial centre. It is located by the Raut River which is a bayou of the Dniester River. As of the 2014 census, the city has a population of approximately 150.000.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 20.05.1996 Date of Protocol: 11.03.1997
INDIA - MUMBAI
Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is the capital of the Maharashtra Province of India. With a population of almost 20 million, Mumbai is the second-most populous city in India and the eighth in the world. Home to the most significant financial institutions and headquarters of grand Indian corporations, Mumbai is a very important commercial and entertainment centre which produces 70% of capital movement, 40% of maritime commerce, and 25% of the industrial outcome of India, as well as the centre of the Indian movie industry.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 13.03.1997 Date of Protocol: 21.09.1998
ROMANIA - CONSTANTA
Constanta is the second-largest city in Romania. The city draws attention with its harmony between the bustling business world and extensive cultural life. Developed on the ruins of the ancient Greek Castle “Tomis”, the city of Constanta has always been a centre of ethnic and spiritual diversities besides being a focus for economic exchanges between the Black Sea and South-Eastern Europe.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 09.02.1995
RUSSIA-VOLGOGRAD
The city is located on the west coast of the Volga River. The city’s population is nearly 1.000.000. Today, it is one of the important industry and transportation centres of Southern Russia.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 16.06.2006 Date of Protocol: 22.04.2011
TUNISIA - SOUSSE
Sousse is an important tourism centre in Tunisia. The city is located on the Mediterranean coast in Hammamet Bay. Sousse is also a traditional olive oil and textile centre. According to the 2013 census, its population was recorded as nearly 270.000. Being the centre of Sousse Province, its economy is mainly based on transport equipment, processed food, olive oil production, textile, and tourism.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 05.07.2002 Date of Protocol: 15.05.2006
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CHINA-TIANJIN
Tianjin is located at the northern end of the Grand Canal of China, which connects the Huang He and Yangtze rivers. Tianjin is the sixth biggest city in China. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city is approximately 14 million. There are more than 20 ethnic groups living in the city. Tianjin’s economy is based on agricultural products such as wheat, corn, and rice as well as fisheries, petrochemical industries, textiles, and car manufacturing. It is the biggest salt production centre in China. In addition, it is an important city of education with its educational institutions.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 11.12.1990 Date of Protocol: September 1991
CZECH REPUBLIC - PLEZEN
The fourth-largest city in the Czechia (Czech Republic) with a population of 170.000, Plzen was founded at the end of the 10th century. It is located in the western part of the Bohemia region and the country. The city is an important industrial, commercial and cultural centre as well as the birthplace of the ‘Pilsen’ kind of beer.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 03.07.1987 Date of Protocol: 13.08.1987
CHINA - WUHAN
The city of Wuhan, located in the centre of Hubei Province, lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain. With a population of over 11 million, it is the 9th most populated city in China. The city of Wuhan, which is at the intersection of central China, is a major transportation hub in terms of airways, railways, and maritime traffic. Wuhan City is located almost at the same distance from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Moreover, the Great Yangtze, which is the world’s third-longest river, and the Han River pass through the city.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 16.10.2009 Date of Protocol: 06.06.2013
Güncel web sitesi: http://english.wuhan.gov.cn/
TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS - NICOSIA
The city of Nicosia, situated on the banks of the River Pedieos which flows through the Mesaoria Plain, is the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Nicosia is the most populous city and the most important cultural, industrial, commercial, and transportation centre of Cyprus. The City shapes the Island’s life with its social and cultural activities as well as the significant historical places. On many historical structures in the city, it is possible to see the influence of different civilizations.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 12.03.2018 Date of Protocol: 21.01.2019
CHINA - XIAMEN
Xiamen, the second biggest city in Fujian Province of China is located on the south eastern coast of the Taiwan Strait. With a population of 5.163.970, Xiamen is one of the oldest economic districts of China. Xiamen Port is China’s 8th and the world’s 13th biggest port. The main economic resources of Xiamen are fishing, shipbuilding, and natural stone processing. The annual ˝Xiamen Natural Stone and Processing Technologies Fair˝ is the world’s 3rd biggest natural stone fair.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 11.02.2015 Date of Protocol: 18.01.2018
Güncel Web sitesi: http://www.xm.gov.cn/
COOPERATION PROTOCOLS
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ITALY-ANCONA
Due to its coastal location in the Marche Region, Ancona province is strategically quite important. A large area of the province's land is farmland often used for viticulture and wine production. Annually, feasts occur in the province during the vintage session.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 11.04.2005 Date of Cooperation Protocol: 13.06.2005
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KAZAKHSTAN-SHYMKENT
Formerly the capital of South Kazakhstan State, Shymkent is the third-most populous city in Kazakhstan behind Almaty and Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) with an estimated population of 1,002,291 as of June 2018. It was thus announced as a city of republican significance in 2018 and has had the status equal to that of a region. Zinc mining, textile, animal breeding, and pharmacy have an important role in the economy of Shymkent. There are oil refineries of medium-scale around the city.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 17.12.2004
SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is one of the three capitals (administrative capital) and the largest city in South Africa. It has a population of approximately 5 million and almost 300 Turkish people live in Cape Town. African, Dutch and British cultures are harmonized in the city which is situated in the southwestern part of South Africa. Cape Town is also a port city just like İzmir and is famous for its Victoria and Alfred ports. It is also noted for its Cape Floristic Region as well as well-known landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point. As of 2021, it is the 11th most populous city in Africa and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The city was announced the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. In 2014, New York Times designated Cape Town the best place in the world to visit.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 09.09.2013 Date of Cooperation Protocol: 09.12.2014
LETTER OF INTENT
INDONESIA-SURABAYA
Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia, is the capital of East Java. The population of the city is approximately 3 million. It is one of Asia’s most important and intensive trade ports since the early 1900s. Surabaya plays a very critical role not only in the East Java region but also in the trade of Eastern Indonesia. The city offers a strong transport infrastructure with land, air, and sea transport options.
Date of Municipal Council Act: 12.09.1996 Date of Act: 01.09.1995
CHINA - CHENGDU
It is the capital city of Sichuan Province in Southwest China. It is one of the most developed cities in the region and famous for being the home of China's magnificent giant pandas. In 2006, it was selected as the fourth most liveable city in China. Chengdu is an excellent place to witness a performance of the traditional Sichuan Opera. Many of the ancient sites around Chengdu reflect the influence of Buddhism, as well as the agricultural history of the region. Chengdu has nine primary industries: electronic information, food processing, tobacco, machinery, petrochemicals, metallurgy, automotive, building materials, and light industry.
Date of Act: 06.09.2019
ITALY - TURIN
Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont Region. The population of the city is around 1 million. Turin is an important industrial city situated on the banks of the Po River. It is the third-largest export city in Italy. The city is also famous for its Baroque architecture and important historical monuments.
Date of Act: 12.09.2012
Güncel Web sitesi: https://www.turismotorino.org/en
SOUTH KOREA - HAMYANG - GUN
3 hours from the capital Seoul, Hamyang-Gun holds a beautiful natural environment and offers great transportation connections to all parts of South Korea. It is an energetic town continuously developing with its anti-ageing and tourism industries, which are two of the major industries in the 21st century. Its economy is based on wild Ginseng production. It stands out with its historical and cultural richness, festivals, and touristic ruins. Healthy food farming is also a thriving sector in the city.
Date of Act: 23.09.2019
Domestic (Sister Cities)
Giresun Province, Tirebolu Municipality
The name of the city, which is rumoured to have been founded as a Miletus colony in the 7th century BC, comes from Tripolis (Greek word for ‘three cities.’) The most important livelihood of the district, which is 45 km away from Giresun city centre, is hazelnut and tea farming. It is a coastal settlement that attracts many local and foreign tourists with its historical monuments and beautiful beaches.
Güncel Web sitesi: https://tirebolu.bel.tr/
Kahramanmaraş Province, Nurhak Municipality
Situated on the skirts of Nurhak Mountain (hence its name), the district has many forests due to the rich streams around it. Despite its proximity to the Mediterranean region, the continental climate is dominant because of its high altitude. Animal husbandry is the main economic activity of the district whose population is approximately 12.000.
Güncel Web sitesi: https://www.nurhak.bel.tr/
Ardahan Province, Ardahan Municipality
It is Turkey's smallest provincial centre with a population of 19,000. Ardahan, through which the Kura River flows, has migrated a lot due to its mountainous environment with high altitudes and unfavourable climatic conditions. The main source of livelihood is animal husbandry and especially beekeeping, which has developed in recent years.
Güncel Web sitesi: https://www.ardahan.bel.tr/
Yozgat Province, Bahadın Municipality
20 km to the district of Sorgun, and 56 km to Yozgat city centre, the main livelihood of Bahadın is the cultivation of sugar beet due to the proximity of the sugar factory.
Güncel Web sitesi: https://bahadin.bel.tr/
BİLECİK - BOZÜYÜK
Bozüyük, named after Bozüyük Mound which was discovered in 1890 during the construction of the Istanbul-Ankara railway, is the most populous district of Bilecik with its approximately 80.000 habitants. Having many factories and workshops, it is an important local industrial centre.
DENİZLİ - BOZKURT
Bozkurt is located 52 km east of Denizli city centre. Its population is about 12,000. Built on the ancient trade routes connecting the Aegean region to Central Anatolia, the district is situated on the Hambat Plain, which takes its name from the Han-Abad Caravanserai that was built in 1230. The main livelihood of the district depends on agriculture and animal husbandry.
EDİRNE - KÜPLÜ
Located 1.5 km east of the Meric River, which constitutes the Turkey-Greece border, the town is 10 km south of the Meriç district centre, and approximately 100 km south of the Edirne city centre. Mainly Pomak citizens were settled in the town, which was a Greek village until the exchange in 1922.
MANİSA - SARUHANLI
Saruhanlı County, which is located on the Izmir-Istanbul highway, 21 km northeast of Manisa city center, has a population of approximately 56,000 people. The main economic activity is agriculture and the most grown products are seedless grapes, cotton, and corn.