Geography Quiz: States, Countries, and Territories

Understanding States and Territories

• A territory is a defined region or area that is under the jurisdiction of a government, but not fully integrated into a country as a state.
• A state is a sovereign political entity with a defined territory, government, and population, recognized as an independent entity by the international community.
• A country is a sovereign nation with a defined territory, government, and population, recognized as an independent entity by the international community.

Key Distinctions

• A territory is not a state, as it lacks sovereignty and is subject to the jurisdiction of another government or entity.
• A country is not a state, as a country is a sovereign nation, whereas a state is a smaller political entity within a country.
• A state is not a territory, as a state has sovereignty and is recognized as an independent entity, whereas a territory is subject to the jurisdiction of another government or entity.

Test your knowledge of states, countries, and territories with this quiz containing 50 questions and 4 different answers to choose from. See how well you know the geography of the world!