Did you know that as a Milwaukeean, you have sisters in places like France, Cuba, Siberia and Italy, albeit honorary ones? Like many cities, Milwaukee has a sister city program, which tries to make the world a little smaller place by inspiring cultural understanding and education.

Sister cities -- proposed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower -- often send delegations back and forth, allowing students, businesspeople, artists, government workers and others to share ideas, knowledge and skill.

In Milwaukee, the mayor's office is in charge of the program, although the Common Council passes resolutions recognizing Milwaukee's official sister cities. Here are some brief portraits of our far-flung siblings and links to their Web sites, which are often in languages you may or may not be able to read.

Parma, Italy
www.comune.parma.it/

The biggest city in America's Dairyland is sisters with the only place that makes real parmigiano reggiano cheese, which is nothing like that flavorless stuff in the green cardboard cylinder at your grocer's. Parma is a gastonomical wonder also internationally famous for its prosciutto (cured ham) and for being Italy's teat: the local Parmalat company produces a large portion of the boot's milk supply. It's also got a lovely old city center (see photo above) with churches and museums stuffed to the rafters with art. It is Italy, after all.

Galway, Ireland
www.galwaycitylive.com/

Ah, Galway. On the western coast of central Ireland, you can almost see America. Not really, but someone once called green Galway, with its charming bay, "the most westerly town of consequence in Europe." Galway is now Europe's fastest-growing conurbation. Despite plagues, fires and the rest, much of historical Galway remains, from St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church, where Columbus reportedly worshipped, to Lynch's Castle.

Nuevitas, Cuba
www.milwaukeenuevitas.com/index.htm

This town in the eastern Cuban province of Camaguey is linked to Milwaukee via the active Milwaukee Nuevitas Association which was formed in 2000 after the cities became sisters. The group arranges cultural and other exchanges, including a trip to Cuba this January. Nuevitas is a port town that, like Milwaukee, is predominantly blue collar, thanks to the many workers in factories that produce cement, wire and electricity.

Ticuantepe, Nicaragua
www.inifom.gob.ni/Caracter/Informacion/Managua/Ticuantepe.htm

Located about 25 miles from the capital city of Managua, Ticuantepe is, unfortunately, best known to many as the site of a terrible earthquake in 1998. The same earth that shakes also offers sights of astonishing beauty, in the form of the Chocoyero Rainforest Reserve, which many consider one of the best-kept secrets in Central America. Load up the backpack and get down there to see parrots, monkeys and more. Of course, you should meet the people, too.

Omsk, Siberia

www.univer.omsk.su/omsk/index.html

The Omsk Web site greets visitors with the words, "Welcome to Siberia," a phrase that struck mortal fear into the hearts of Russians for years. But, in reality, this town is a beautiful one with friendly, open people. A fortress was built here in 1716 and the settlement became a town by the end of the century. The architecture is renowned and the Omsk museum of folklore, history and economy is the oldest in Siberia, founded in 1878.

Schwerin, Germany
http://www.schwerin.de/

Located in northeast Germany, Schwerin is on a beautiful lake that drawns many tourists, who are also enchanted by the storybook castle. The town was established in second half of the 12th century by the Saxon Duke Henry the Lion and the historic city center is replete with vintage half-timbered buildings and the 18th century Schelfkirche, one of the most important baroque buildings in the region. Come for the Kultursommer (sort of like Summerfest), but stay for the Drachenbootfest (Dragon Boat Fest).

Mulhouse, France
www.ville-mulhouse.fr/fr/index.php

Mulhouse -- near the Swiss and German borders -- was free in the 12th century and an imperial one in the 15th century. Next, it was a republic allied to the Swiss federation and became part of France in 1798. The city maintains an historic flavor with picturesque old streets, elegant 19th century villas and the Place de la Reunion. Many museums -- including the most technical museums of any town in Europe -- an acclaimed zoo and Botanical Gardens make Mulhouse a great place to visit.

Queenstown, South Africa
www.qtn.co.za/

Queenstown was founded in 1853 as a British military outpost and was laid out around a central hexagon, to which townspeople would head for protection in case of trouble. The town soon became a mecca for the regions farmers and had a bustling wagon-building trade. Now Queenstown is known among South Africans for its historic churches and sandstone buildings as well as for the Shell Art Gallery.