About the city and the twinning
About Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of California, in the western United States. The modern city developed around Sutter’s Fort during the California Gold Rush and became the state capital in 1854. Its position on the Sacramento River helped it grow into a centre for trade, agriculture and transport. Sacramento was the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad, and the Old Sacramento State Historic Park preserves part of the riverfront district associated with that period.
Twinning with Bethlehem
On 15 December 2009, the Sacramento City Council adopted Resolution No. 2009-776, establishing a sister-city relationship with Bethlehem, Palestine. The volunteer-led Sacramento–Bethlehem Sister City organisation helps build connections between residents of the two cities. Sacramento also represents Bethlehem with an olive tree in its Sister Cities Friendship Garden at South Natomas Community Park. In May 2018, Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman welcomed a delegation from Sacramento and spoke with its members about the twinning relationship and the challenges facing Bethlehem.