A country is a geographic area that is defined by political borders and is governed by a particular set of laws and institutions. A country is typically considered to be a sovereign entity, meaning that it has a government that makes and enforces laws within its borders and that it conducts foreign relations with other countries.


    A country is usually home to a distinct population, which can have different languages, cultures, and customs. Some countries are also home to multiple ethnic groups or tribes, which can lead to diversity and sometimes conflicts.

    There are a number of different types of countries, including nation-states, which are countries that are made up of a single ethnic or national group; federal states, which are countries that are made up of smaller subdivisions that have some degree of autonomy; and empires, which are countries that control multiple territories and peoples.

    The number of countries in the world varies depending on the source, but it is widely acknowledged that there are around 195 sovereign nations recognized by the United Nations, which includes 193 member states and 2 observer states.