Sydney, New South Wales
Location: South-east coast of Australia
Climate: Temperate; average summer temperatures 25C
Population: 4m
Known locally as: Cosmopolitan Gateway to Australia
Problems: Inner-city drugs and crime
Tourist highlights: iconic Sydney Opera House; Sydney Harbour; The Rocks historical area
Beaches: 70, including world-class Bondi and Manly
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Location: North-east coast of Canada
Climate: Moderate, with 80 foggy days a year
Population: 26,083
Known locally as: Steel City
Problems: High unemployment
Tourist highlights: Period museums; churches; Two Rivers Wildlife Park
Beaches: 150m-long Mira Gut Beach, 14km miles south of city