30 of the smallest cities in the world

[jw5]

Belmopan, Belize​

With around 20,000 residents, Belmopan is a fast-growing city, but is still the smallest capital in the Americas in terms of population. It's a relatively new settlement, too, built after much of former capital Belize City was destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.

 

[jw5]

Bronkhorst, The Netherlands​

The tiny Dutch settlement might have a population of not much more than 150, but Bronkhorst is technically a city. Thought to have been settled since around the 7th century, Bronkhurst was granted city status in the 1400s, although a walking tour of the 'city' would take just a few minutes.

 

[jw5]

Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos (British Overseas Territory)​

A town in name only, Cockburn Town is capital of the Turks and Caicos archipelago, a British Overseas Territory that lies between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. The seat of government for the islands since 1766, Cockburn Town has a population of less than 3,750.

 

[jw5]

Fuvahmulah City, Maldives​

Both an island and a municipality, Fuvahmulah gained city status in 2016. But with a population of just over 11,000, there's still a friendly small-town vibe, and plenty of elbow room on the beaches.

 

[jw5]

Fagernes, Norway​

With a population of less than 2,000, Fagernes in south-central Norway is rightly proud of the city status it gained in 2007. A popular starting point for outdoor types setting off to explore the region's skiing and cycling opportunities, Fagernes was declared a city by the local authorities to coincide with its 150th anniversary.

 

[jw5]

Eisenstdadt, Austria​

The capital of the Austrian state of Burgenland, scenic Eisenstadt has a population of less than 15,000. The small-but-perfectly-formed city attracts hordes of music-loving tourists, owing to the fact that composer Joseph Haydn lived here in the 18th century, and is buried in the ornate hillside church.

 

[jw5]

Montpelier, USA​

The smallest state capital in the United States, Montpelier in Vermont has a population of around 8,000. It's a picturesque spot filled with handsome 1800s architecture, and earned its capital status in 1805 on account of its central location and good road and rail potential.

 

[jw5]

Miranda do Douro, Portugal​

Overlooking the Douro River in the heart of Portuguese wine country, Miranda do Douro is a fortified city whose population barely passes 2,000 people. The Catholic authorities established a diocese here in 1545, and the 17th-century cathedral remains an attraction.

 

[JohnTan]

How about this city? It's so loaded with wealth!

 

[jw5]

How about this city? It's so loaded with wealth!

View attachment 132651

Suntec City has made a lot of companies wealthy, but not every company.

 

[jw5]

Kuressaare, Estonia​

A small city with a storied history, Kurassaare was known as Kingissepa during the Soviet era, and became a city under Danish rule in 1563. Today, it's known for its spas and mineral water—the World Health Organization actually named it a Healthy City in 1998.

 

[jw5]

Kastoria, Greece​

The beautiful city of Kastoria in northern Greece thrived as a center of the fur trade during the Byzantine era. Although demand for fur has diminished, the city, which has a population of around 13,400, retains a sense of its early grandeur.

 

[jw5]

Hamilton, Bermuda (British Overseas Territory)​

Founded in 1793 and made capital of Bermuda in 1815, tiny Hamilton has a population of less than 1,000. Despite its small stature, it has officially held city status since 1897.

 

[jw5]

Victoria, Seychelles​

It might be the largest and most populous settlement in the picturesque Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, but Victoria is still one of the smallest capital cities in the world. It’s situated on the north-eastern side of Mahé, the archipelago's main island, and, with around 26,500 inhabitants, is home to roughly a third of the Seychelles' population.

 

[jw5]

Fürstenau, Switzerland​

With a population of around 350, the tiny Swiss settlement of Fürstenau still holds the city rights it was given in 1354, on account of the fact that a bishop had a summer residence here.

 

[jw5]

Saint Peter Port, Guernsey (Channel Islands)​

British Crown Dependencies off the coast of France, the islands of Jersey and Guernsey are scenic, sedate places to call home. Guernsey's capital, Saint Peter Port, has a population of around 17,000, and is the closest the islands get to a bustling metropolis.

 

[jw5]

Nuuk, Greenland (Danish Realm)​

The capital of Greenland, Nuuk is also its largest city and seat of government. With a population of only 18,800, Nuuk actually accounts for almost a third of Greenland's entire population.

 

[jw5]

Nakhon Nayok, Thailand​

The only major settlement in the province that shares its name, the city of Nakhon Nayok has a population of around 16,000. It's the capital of the region, and attracts out-of-towners with its beautiful waterfalls, parks, and temples.

 

[jw5]

Jericho, Palestine​

As well as being among the world's smallest cities, the West Bank municipality of Jericho can also claim to be the world's lowest. Its roughly 20,000 inhabitants live at 258 meters (846 ft) below sea level.

 

[jw5]

Kilkenny, Ireland​

The medieval city of Kilkenny in southeast Ireland is a small city that packs a punch in terms of grand buildings of religious and historical importance. The population of around 27,000 is boosted each year by tourists visiting the city's castle, cathedral, and well-preserved churches and monasteries.