Cary’s Sister Cities Program was established to foster friendship and understanding through people-to-people diplomacy, encompassing international business, cultural, and educational exchanges. Recognizing the importance of building and maintaining strong international relationships, the Town collaborates closely with Cary Sister Cities, a non-profit agency that creates and implements programs and exchanges with our sister cities.

Cary’s Sister Cities

The Cary Sister Cities program currently has five sister cities:

• Le Touquet, France
• Hsinchu, Taiwan
• County Meath, Ireland
• Markham, Canada
• Bandırma, Türkiye

Le Touquet, France

Le Touquet became Cary’s first sister city in 1992.

Located on the northern French coast, Le Touquet is a chic seaside resort community.  Le Touquet offers a wide range of activities with sports facilities, a racetrack, casino and fine beaches. The year-round population of Le Touquet is approximately 4,200. However, due to tourism, its population swells to around 250,000 during the summer months.

Hsinchu, Taiwan

Hsinchu became Cary’s second sister city in 1993.

Hsinchu, Taiwan, is a coastal city in northwestern Taiwan known for its strong northeastern monsoon winds, earning it the nickname "Windy City". It's a major high-tech hub, sometimes referred to as "Asia's Silicon Valley". The city boasts a rich history as one of the oldest settlements in northern Taiwan.  It has an estimated population of 450,000.

County Meath, Ireland

County Meath became a sister city in 2001.

County Meath, known as the "Royal County", is a historical and scenic region in Ireland's province of Leinster. It boasts a rich past, with sites like the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings, and the impressive Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Meath is also known for its fertile lands, particularly in the Boyne Valley, and for its rich agricultural production. County Meath’s population is approximately 221,000.

Markham, Canada

Markham became a Cary sister city in 2002.

Markham, Ontario, is a diverse and dynamic city located north of Toronto, known for its strong economy, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors. It boasts a rich heritage, outstanding community planning, and a multicultural environment. Originally settled in the late 1700s, Markham evolved from an agricultural community to a thriving urban center with a population exceeding 350,000.

Bandirma, Türkiye

Bandirma became Cary’s most recent sister city in 2022.

It is a significant Turkish port city situated in the southern part of the Marmara Sea. Bandirma is known for its bustling port, which is a major hub for trade and transportation, especially for exports from the region. Bandırma also boasts a rich history, industrial significance, and natural attractions like the Kuşcenneti National Park.

The population of Bandırma, is approximately 167,000. This figure represents the total population of the municipality and district within Balıkesir Province.

CONTACT US

Call: Dial 311 within Cary

town limits, or (919) 469-4000

outside of Cary town limits.

Email: 311@carync.gov