Roanoke County entered into a partnership with Opole, Poland on November 30, 1994. Opole and the County became sister cities to create an exchange of cultural and social information for the enrichment of both communities. Additionally, it provided both communities with an opportunity to gain new perspectives and insights into the inner workings of a local government in a different country.
Opole, the capital city of the Opole region in Poland, has a population of 130,000 and covers an area of approximately 60 square miles. It is situated on both banks of the Oder river in the Silesian Lowland. The first traces of the settlement go back to the end of the 8th century and the town of Opole was founded during the years 1211-1217.
