City-state
A sovereign microstate that usually consists of a single city and its dependent territories
Real World Example
In the Fertile Crescent, especially in ancient Mesopotamia, city-states like Uruk and Babylon were small, independent countries centered around a single city. These city-states were important because they allowed for centralized control and management of resources, fostering advancements in agriculture, trade, and culture. They responded to the need for organized governance and protection in a region with fertile land but limited space. Today, the concept of city-states still matters as it resembles modern independent cities with significant autonomy, like Singapore, which influence global trade and culture. This connection affects us by showing how small regions can wield large influence, impacting global economics and cultural exchanges that we experience in everyday products and ideas.
