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City-State

Sovereign state consisting of an independent city and its territory.

polis city-state

A city-state is a sovereign state consisting of an independent city and its surrounding territory.

Pronunciation

/ˈsɪti ˌsteɪt/

Etymology

The term comes from the combination of 'city' and 'state', referring to a self-governing urban center.

Explain Like I’m 5

A city-state is like a really old town that's also its own country, with its own rules and army.

Fun Facts

Ancient Athens and Sparta were powerful city-states in ancient Greece
Singapore is a modern example of a city-state
City-states often had unique cultures and forms of government

FAQ

What is a city-state? A city-state is an independent country consisting of a single city and its surrounding territory
When did city-states exist? They existed in ancient times, such as in Greece and Mesopotamia
Are city-states common today? No, they are not a prevalent form of government in the modern world

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

independent city autonomous city

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

sovereign state political entity

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

Athens Sparta Rome Sumer

Meronyms — Parts or Components

city territory

Indexes

historical concept political system

Related

Built by Tim Jones