Are You a Country Expert?

What is a Country?

• A country is a distinct territorial body or political entity, which may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state.
• The definition and usage of the word "country" is flexible and has changed over time, with most sovereign states being members of the United Nations.
• The largest country by area is Russia, while the smallest is Vatican City. The most populous is China, while Vatican City is also the least populous.
• The word country comes from Old French contrée, which derives from Vulgar Latin (terra) contrata.
• The unclear definition of "country" in modern English was further commented upon by philosopher Simon Keller.
• Symbols of a country may incorporate cultural, religious, or political symbols of any nation that the country includes.
• Most countries have a long name and a short name, with the short name being the country's common name by which it is typically identified.
• A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation.
• When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, a constituent country, or a dependent territory.
• Patriotism is a sense of love for, devotion to, and sense of attachment to one's country.
• Countries are often distinguished as developing countries or developed countries based on per capita gross national income (GNI).
• The World Bank classifies countries based on GNI per capita and identifies regional trends.