City-state

A city-state is a city that has its own sovereignty, meaning that it is its own country. There were many important city-states in ancient Greece. Nowadays, cities may have differing degrees of self-governance. In order to be considered a city-state, a city must govern itself independently, by regulating its own taxes, or having independent representation at the United Nations.

Antiquity

• In Ancient Greece a polis was a city-state
  • Athens
  • Sparta
  • Corinth
  • Thebes

Modern city states

Sorted in order of area size.

• Singapore was a British colony till 1959. In 1959, it achieved autonomy in internal matters. Between 1963 and 1965, it was part of Malaysia. Singapore was removed from Malaysia on 9 August 1965 and became independent.
• The second smallest country in the world, Monaco is entirely urban, because all its territory of only 2 square kilometers is built-up.

City-state Media

• The Republic of Ragusa, a maritime city-state, was based in the walled city of Dubrovnik

• Free Imperial Cities 1792.png

  The Free imperial cities as of 1792.

• Italy 1494.svg

  Italy in 1494, after the Peace of Lodi

• Tangier

• Vatican City, a city-state well known for being the smallest country in the world

• Hong Kong Harbour Night 2019-06-11.jpg

  The city of Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, and is sometimes considered a city-state.

• The city of Basel, located on the Rhine, is a historic city-state and a Swiss canton.

The smallest country in the world was created in 1929. The Vatican City is an enclave completely surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy, and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.