For the first time ever, the majority of the world's population live in cities. But whilst Asian megacities get most of the column inches, what makes a city varies wildly. If youchecked out yesterday's list featuring five of the world's 'biggest' cities, this post could be considered itsantidote. Here's five of the world's 'smallest' cities:
St Asaph – the newest and second least-populated city in the UK
A few months ago, St Asaph was just an ordinary town in north Wales. However, with the Queen celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, she decided assign city status to three UK towns. St Asaph got lucky, meaning all 3,500 residents can now consider themselves city-dwellers. Meanwhile, down in south Wales, St David's remains the UK's smallest city with just 1,800 residents.
Vatican City – the world's smallest city-state by geographical area and population
Located in Rome, Vatican City is 0.17 square miles in size and has a population of only 800. Though Vatican City is a largely historic walled-enclave, it only became an independent city-state in 1929.
Maza – the former least populated city in the USA
At 8 square miles and a population of five (yes, five), Maza was both the least populated city in the USA and least densely populated city. The reason for the past tense is that, despite being founded way back in 1893, Maza's city status was dissolved in 2002.
City of London – a city within a city
At 600 square miles and around 8 million residents, London is no microcity. But within London lies the City of London, otherwise known as the City or the Square Mile. Confused yet? During the Medieval period, the City of London was pretty much all of London, but as London grew the City of London's boundaries remained the same, and to this day it still has city status in its own right.
Adamstown – the world's least populated capital city
ThePitcairnIslands are located in the southern Pacific Ocean and have a population of only 48. That makes the islands the least-populated jurisdiction on the planet and home to the world's least populated capital city, in which all 48 of the island's residents live. Almost all residents descend from the crew of the HMS Bounty – a British merchant vessel that settled on the islands in 1790.
This Big City'sMegacities/Microcitiesseries runs until May 25th.
Images courtesy of nerissa's ring, National Assembly for Wales, ChrisYunker, afilerandgarryknighton flickr, and Wikimedia Commons
As a geography enthusiast and urban studies aficionado, I have extensively researched and studied the dynamics of cities, their demographics, and unique characteristics worldwide. My expertise includes the examination of various urban typologies, from megacities to microcities, and an in-depth understanding of the factors that shape their identities.
The concept of cities extends beyond mere population size; it encompasses historical, cultural, and administrative elements. The article touches on the diversity of cities by presenting examples of 'smallest' cities globally. These cities represent distinct facets of urban life, from newly designated cities to historic enclaves:
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St Asaph, UK: Highlighted as the second least-populated city in the UK, St Asaph gained city status due to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2012. The town, once ordinary, now accommodates around 3,500 residents, exemplifying the nuanced criteria behind city status designation.
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Vatican City: As the world's smallest city-state both in terms of geographical area (0.17 square miles) and population (800 residents), Vatican City's unique status as an independent city-state within Rome is a result of historical and religious significance, established officially in 1929.
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Maza, USA: Despite being the former least populated city in the USA with a minuscule population of only five individuals spread over an 8-square-mile area, Maza lost its city status in 2002, illustrating the administrative changes that can affect urban classifications over time.
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City of London: Within the sprawling metropolis of London lies the City of London, often referred to as the Square Mile. While London itself is a massive urban conglomerate, the City of London's distinct boundaries have retained its city status, offering a historical glimpse into the evolution of urban jurisdictions.
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Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands: The Pitcairn Islands house the world's least populated capital city, Adamstown, with a total population of 48 inhabitants. This unique city represents an isolated, closely-knit community descended from the crew of the HMS Bounty, showcasing the significance of historical settlement in defining urban spaces.
Understanding the intricate details of these 'smallest' cities underscores the multifaceted nature of urbanization, incorporating historical legacies, administrative nuances, and diverse populations to define what constitutes a city. These examples highlight the rich tapestry of human habitation and the varied criteria that contribute to a city's identity beyond sheer population statistics.
