Which island city-state is its own capital?

Singapore is the island city-state that serves as its own capital.

Unlike most countries, Singapore is both a sovereign state and essentially a single metropolitan territory. Its official name is the Republic of Singapore, and the country’s main urban area covers most of the island along with smaller surrounding islands. Because the nation is organized as a city-state, “Singapore” is used for both the country and its capital.

Singapore became independent in 1965 after separating from Malaysia. Before independence, the island was a British trading port and later a self-governing state within Malaysia. The former municipal City of Singapore was absorbed into the national government after independence, so there is no separate capital city distinct from the country itself.

A common mix-up is choosing Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, or Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Bangkok is Thailand’s capital. Singapore is also often described as one of the world’s major port, financial, and aviation hubs.