Countries Whose Capitals Are Not On Their Mainland

Map created by Maps.InterludeThe map above shows which countries have capitals that are not part of the largest landmass of the country. Here is the full list with a bit more info about each:

Denmark

Capital: Copenhagen
Location: Situated on the island of Zealand, not on the Jutland Peninsula (mainland Denmark).
Population:
- Copenhagen metropolitan area: ~2 million (approx. 34% of total population)
- Rest of Denmark: ~3.8 million
Trivia: Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest city and economic hub.

Equatorial Guinea

Capital: Malabo
Location: On Bioko Island, offshore in the Gulf of Guinea.
Population:
- Malabo: approximately 297,000 (~19% of total population)
- Mainland (primarily Bata and surrounding areas): ~1.3 million
Trivia: Plans have existed to move the capital to Ciudad de la Paz on the mainland.

The Gambia

Capital: Banjul
Location: On St. Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River.
Population:
- Banjul proper: ~35,000 (~1.4% of total population)
- Greater Banjul Area (including suburbs): ~400,000 (~17% of total population)
- Rest of Gambia: ~2 million
Trivia: Although Banjul is politically significant, larger populations live in surrounding urban areas such as Serrekunda.

United Arab Emirates

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Location: Abu Dhabi is located on an island connected to the mainland by bridges.
Population:
- Abu Dhabi city proper: ~1.5 million (~15% of total population)
- Abu Dhabi Emirate (broader region): ~3.8 million
- Rest of UAE (primarily Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates): ~7.2 million
Trivia: Abu Dhabi is politically central and economically dominant, despite Dubai being more internationally prominent in trade and tourism.