Bath (Somerset Country, The United Kingdom）

Sister City Agreement/ signed on 31 October 1994 in Beppu
■　Population/ Approximately　89,000
■　Area/ 29.2㎢
http://www.visitbath.co.uk(English)

Geography

Bath is located over 160km west of London, 24km east of Bristol. Surrounded by the hills, you have an extensive view of the green horizon from the heart of the city. It is called "Golden City in the Green Globe" and is made of limestone, fed by three hot springs of 2,700～4,300m deep whose temperature stands at 46℃ and output reaches 1 millionℓ a day. Bath is the only hot spring city in England which has made it internationally famous.

Climate

It is located in an inland area. Receiving a strong wind and mist from the sea, it is quite cold and often covered with a thick fog. Summer is also humid. Though it is not so severe in Bath, the constant rain and unsettled weather are always problem in England.

History

Bath, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe has maintained a good reputation over 2,000 years for its hot springs and style.
"World Heritage City" (famous for the architecture) "Flower City" (famous for the colorful garden) "Golden City" (famous for the golden architecture) "The Cultural Heritage" (famous for the music, the art and the museums)
Bath is the only hot spring city in England. According to legend, King Bladud, the father of King Lear by Shakespeare, founded Bath around 500B.C, though it was the Ancient Romans who put the city on a map.
The finest temple in England was constructed to worship the goddess Minerva. A number of Bathhouses built skillfully were used not only for bathing and medical treatment but also for a social function. In the 18th century the gilt-bronze head of the statue of Minerva was excavated, which was the first discovery of the historically important Roman remains. Since 1878, after discovering the entire Bathhouse, they have been working on the excavation. Until today some of the most interesting Ancient Roman remains have been discovered in England.

Industry

0.5% of Farming, Fishery, Energy and Hot Spring Business 7.9% of Industry 9.9% of Construction Business 28.6% of Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants 4.0% of Journalism and Transportation Business 31.1% of Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions 8.4% of Public, Health and Educational Institutions 9.7% of the others.

Process of making agreement

On 2 June 1991 when the Manager of Tourism Marketing of Bath visited Beppu he was fascinated by the city, which enabled promotion of friendship between two cities. In June 1993 we sent a delegation to Bath to make an agreement to join hands as sister cities. On 31 October of the following year a delegation led by the Mayor of Bath visited us to sign up for the agreement.

お問い合わせ

文化国際課　

〒874-8511 別府市上野口町1番15号（市庁舎4F）

電話：0977-21-1131

Eメール：int-ma@city.beppu.lg.jp