相连 (xiāng lián) means 'to be connected' or 'to be linked' — it describes two things that are physically joined or closely tied together (e.g., cities by rail, fates). Unlike 连接 (lián jiē), which emphasizes the action of connecting, 相连 focuses on the resulting state of being linked. It is more formal and static than 联系 (lián xì 'to contact, to connect ideas').