country

Countries are the largest independent political states. Distinct territories such as Greenland and French Guiana, and the Palestinian Territories, are also treated like countries, and each is linked to its governing country if one exists.

The geographical unit is considered as a whole, rather than as an ordinary internal state, province, or county. Territorial dependence and geographical distinctness are separate characteristics.

A territory can retain a country-level geographical identity in this sense while being governed by, or constitutionally part of, another state. That treatment does not itself assert political sovereignty.