Difference Between Nation and Country

Main Difference – Nation vs Country

Nation and country are two related terms that are sometimes used synonymously. However, this doesn’t mean that there is no difference between nation and country. Nation is a large body of people united by common origin, history, culture, ethnicity, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory whereas country is an area of land that is controlled by its own government. Therefore, the main difference between nation and country is that nation is a cultural and political term that refers to a group of people whereas country is mainly a political concept that refers to a region or territory.

What is a Nation

Nation is a large body of people united by common origin, history, culture, ethnicity, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory. Stalin defines nation as “a historically constituted, stable community of people, formed on the basis of a common language, territory, economic life, and psychological make-up manifested in a common culture” in Marxism and the National Question. It results as people living together for many generations.

Nation is a cultural-political community. When compared with ethnicity, nation is considered to be more impersonal, abstract, and overtly political.

The term nation is also used synonymously for country and state. When used in this way, it mostly refers to a region. When a nation has its own country or territory, it is called a nation-state.

What is a Country

Country is an area of land that is controlled by its own government. A country can be inhabited by more than one nation as well. The United States of America is an example for this kind of country.

Country is mainly a political and geographical concept. A country may be an independent sovereign state or territory occupied by another state as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division.