Oakland

Oakland is located in the western part of the U.S. state of California. It is a major West Coast port, located on San Francisco Bay, about 8 miles (13 km) east of San Francisco. The city of Oakland has a total area of 202.4 sq km, 57.2 sq km of it is water. About two-thirds of Oakland lies on the flat plain of San Francisco Bay, with one-third rising into the foothills and hills of East Bay.

One of Oakland's most notable features is Lake Merritt near downtown, the largest urban saltwater lake in the United States. (Lake Merritt is technically an estuary of San Francisco Bay.)

Based on 2006 statistical data, Oakland is the 44th largest city in the United States. The California Department of Finance estimates that on January 1, 2008 Oakland's population was 420,183. Together with San Francisco and San Jose, the city comprises the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States. Oakland has shipyards, chemical plants, glassworks, food-processing establishments, an iron foundry and high-technology companies. Manufactures include foods, cleaners, electronic goods, canvas and metal products. Oakland has three professional sports teams: «Golden State Warriors» (National Basketball Association), «Oakland Athletics» (Major League Baseball), and «Oakland Raiders» (National Football League).

Besides Nakhodka, Oakland has twin-cities of Agadir (Morocco), Dalian (China), Da Nang (Vietnam), Ocho-Rios (Jamaica), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Secondi Tacoradi (Ghana) and Fukuoka (Japan).

The agreement on friendship and mutual cooperation between Nakhodka and Oakland was singed on 22^nd April, 1975. During the past years, both cities exchanged tens of delegations, following the principles of so-called «national diplomacy». Healthcare, culture, mass media, entrepreneurship and education were determined by the authorities of twin-cities as the main areas for cooperation.