Country Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

Key Characteristics of a Country

1. Defined Territory
   • A country has clear geographic boundaries, which are often determined by natural features, historical agreements, or legal treaties. However, some borders may be disputed.
2. Permanent Population
   • It is home to people who reside within its borders, forming a population with shared or diverse cultures, languages, and traditions.
3. Government
   • A central authority (e.g., democratic, authoritarian, or monarchic) governs the territory, creates laws, and ensures order.
   • The government also represents the country in interactions with other nations.
4. Sovereignty
   • A country exercises sovereignty, meaning it has the supreme authority to govern itself without external interference. Sovereignty is a key criterion for being recognized as a nation-state.
5. International Recognition
   • Recognition by other countries and international organizations (such as the United Nations) often solidifies a country’s status in global affairs, though this is not an absolute requirement (e.g., some territories are self-declared but not universally recognized).
6. Economic System
   • Countries manage resources, produce goods and services, and engage in trade to sustain their populations.
7. Cultural Identity
   • Many countries are associated with distinct cultural, linguistic, or historical identities, although some encompass multiple ethnic or cultural groups.

Definitions in Different Contexts

• Nation-State: A country where the political boundaries align with a specific nation or ethnic group (e.g., Japan).
• State: In political science, “state” refers to the governing entity of a country, including its institutions.
• Territories vs. Countries: Some territories, such as Puerto Rico or Greenland, have partial autonomy but are not considered independent countries.

Legal and Political Perspectives

Montevideo Convention (1933)

This treaty outlines the criteria for statehood, often used as a guideline for defining countries:

1. A permanent population.
2. A defined territory.
3. A government.
4. The capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Examples of Complexity

• Disputed Areas: Entities like Taiwan and Kosovo function as independent countries in many respects but are not universally recognized.
• Dependencies: Places like Bermuda and Gibraltar are territories with varying degrees of autonomy but are politically tied to another country.
• Nations Without States: Groups like the Kurds or the Palestinians identify as nations but lack fully recognized sovereign states.

In summary, while the concept of a country is straightforward in theory, it is nuanced and shaped by historical, political, and legal factors.