TAN
OR
Yurt living
a
ng
ol
Mongolia has a strong military alliance with the United
States, deploying troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a
partner in "the war on terror." And the U.S. Congress recently
passed a resolution affirming the United States as the "third
neighbor" to Mongolia, as a strategic counterweight to China
and Russia. Similarities in landscape, environment, agriculture,
wildlife, timber, mining, and rangeland issues "make the development of strong mutual ties a likely choice for both Mongolia
and Montana," says Montagne.
"With a population of around 35,000," says Montagne, "Murun
is a regional center for agriculture, government, education, tourism, and trade. A regional airport and a national east-west highway in the process of being paved serve Murun. The town has a
Soviet-style central square with municipal theatre, post office, and
government buildings, a commercial core of hotels, stores, and
restaurants, and residential districts with traditional fenced yards,
small wood homes and gers (yurts)."
On the other side of the globe, nearly 6,000 miles from Livingston, lies the town of Naganohara, Japan, situated between mountains and forests near the Agatsuma River. The town has approximately 7,000 residents, and consists of 10 incorporated villages.
www.distinctlymontana.com
Mongolia!
?
m
o
A
A
M
ON
i
For nearly two decades, Livingston and Naganohara
have been sister cities, participating in cultural and economic exchanges. Since 1991, Livingston and Naganohara have sent their
junior high- and high school-aged students to live with host families in their partnering communities. Each summer, a number of
students form lasting friendships with a group of fellow students.
"No matter how rewarding the students envision their trip to
Naganohara, it is better than they imagine," says Livingston Sister
City board member Donna Pace.
The Sister City cultural exchange program alters the outlook
of many lives and instills a desire for additional world travel and
understanding. It more than fulfills its mission.
83
