Why is the Crystal Empire called an empire?

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,853]

After all, it's only one city! Last time I checked, empires were supposed to cover large areas!

[Pinkamena Dianne Pie 465]

I thought it was called the Crystal Kingdom instead of Empire before Sombra took over. I believe it's called an Empire 'cuz that Sombra was a benevolent ruler who had in his mind that he was the ruler of everything around him.

[Pastel 7,627]

"The Crystal Empire" sounds really cool. "The Crystal City" or "The Crystal Town" sounds lame.

 

...I can't think of another reason.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Blobulle

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Because like any Empire, they most likely have outlaying territories and colonies in other areas of Equestria. And because they were already planning for the rainbow kingdom, so over use of the kingdom suffix would have been annoying.

[Jeric 46,835]

I like to think the 'Empire' business was all Sombra. Despots tend to go grandiose when referring to their territories. Either that, or they wanted to invoke thoughts of a grand culture.

[StarSwirlTheBearded 356]

Although it appears to be under the rule of Equestria, I like to think that it's an independent city-state which is temporarily under Cadance's command to restore order.

[Scootalove 10,684]

Even though it's an empire in Equestria, it looks like a independent city where the two ponies that keep order in the city are able to govern it in their own way.