A country is a distinct territory or area of land that is politically defined and governed by a single government. It can be synonymous with terms like state, nation, or nation-state, depending on context. Countries have defined borders, populations, and governments that exercise sovereignty over their territory
. Most countries are sovereign states recognized internationally, often members of the United Nations, but some have limited recognition or disputed sovereignty. Countries can vary greatly in size and population, from large nations like China and the United States to very small ones like Vatican City
. A country may be composed of multiple smaller administrative divisions such as states or provinces, each with some degree of local government, but the national government has overarching authority
. The term "country" is also used more loosely to describe rural areas or regions within a state, not necessarily sovereign political entities
. In summary, a country is primarily understood as a politically organized territory with its own government and population, recognized as a distinct entity in the world
