March 25, 2018

US-Russia Sister Cities


US-Russia Sister Cities

We mapped all the US cities paired with a Russian city, and to our surprise, the map looks like Putin's profile.

Actually, that's not true. It was just a teaser to get you to come and take a look at the map.

 

It is interesting to look at these pairings, many of them set up in the 1980s and 1990s. In many cases, the cities in the US and Russia will have a geographical similarity (e.g. San Diego and Vladivostok as coastal cities, or Des Moines and Stravropol as agricultural centers).

A few places paired up with their namesakes: St. Petersburg FL and St. Petersburg, and Dixon IL, and Dikson. And a few Russian cities (Vladimir, Vladivostok) have more than one partner. But we did not find the opposite to be true.

But there are plenty of cases where the pairing seems unlikely and inexplicable, as in Beaverton, OR and Birobidzhan; or Salt Lake City and Izhevsk, or Menomonie and Konakovo...

We know that behind most pairings is a fascinating founding story, of someone who visited the counterpart city, made an enduring connection, and decided to codify it. We'd love to hear those founding stories. If you know one, and can put it into 100 words or less, we will add it to the map. 

And, of course, if you know of any sister cities we have missed, send us an email and we'll get it onto the map.

 

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955