A direct-controlled municipality is the highest level classification for cities used by unitary states, with status equal to that of the provinces in the respective countries. A direct-controlled municipality is similar to, but not the same as, a federal district, a common designation in various countries for a municipality that is not part of any state, and which usually hosts some governmental functions. Usually direct-controlled municipality are under central government control with limited power. In some cases, a similar term in federal states is the federal city.
Many countries have adopted this system with some variations. Geographically and culturally, many of the municipalities are enclaves in the middle of provinces. Some occur in strategic positions in between provinces.
List CountryMunicipalitiesMain articleMinskPhnom PenhBeijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, TianjinDirect-administered municipalities of ChinaAlmaty, Astana, Baikonur, ShymkentPyongyang, Nampho, Rason, KaesongSpecial cities of North KoreaSeoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, SejongSpecial cities of South KoreaBishkek, OshVientianeChişinău, Bălți, BenderUlaanbaatarHighly urbanized cities: Manila, Angeles City, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu City, Davao City, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo City, Lapu-Lapu, Las Piñas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Olongapo, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon City, San Juan, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga City; Independent component cities: Cotabato City, Dagupan, Naga, Ormoc, SantiagoIndependent municipality: PaterosCities of the Philippines § Independent citiesTaipei,Taipei City Government, Taipei Yearbook (2008). Kaohsiung, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, TaoyuanSpecial municipality (Taiwan)AshgabatKyiv, Sevastopol (disputed)TashkentHanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Da Nang, Cần Thơ, Huế, Đồng Nai (since 30 April 2026),National Assembly approves Đồng Nai upgrade to centrally governed city, effective April 30 Quảng Ninh (since 1 September 2026), Bắc Ninh (since 20 September 2026)Municipalities of Vietnam
References
See also Independent city Federal city Metropolitan Capitalism (Capital City) Federal district Federal territory