It may also be used as a synonym for 'nation'. In English the word has increasingly become associated with political divisions, so that one sense, associated with the indefinite article – 'a country' – is now frequently applied as a synonym for a state or a former sovereign state. It most likely entered the English language after the Franco-Norman invasion during the 11th century. The word country comes from Old French contrée, which derives from Vulgar Latin ( terra) contrata ('(land) lying opposite' '(land) spread before'), derived from contra ('against, opposite').

The most populous is China, while the Pitcairn Islands are the least populous.

The largest country by area is Russia, while the smallest is the microstate Vatican City. The Economist wrote in 2010 that 'any attempt to find a clear definition of a country soon runs into a thicket of exceptions and anomalies.' Most sovereign states, but not all countries, are members of the United Nations. The definition and usage of the word 'country' is flexible and has changed over time. A country may be a non- sovereign or historically sovereign political division (such as Korea), a physical territory with a government (such as Senegal), or a geographic region associated with certain distinct political, ethnic, or cultural characteristics (such as the Basque Country). For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the country of Wales is a component of a multi-part sovereign state, the United Kingdom. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. The country of Italy (center) and surrounding countries, illuminated by city lightsĪ country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity.

Connection synonym