Country/Catalogs: Difference between revisions
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The word '''country''' is not one that defined easily. In it's simplest form, a country is just a area of land. However, it is also commonly used to refer the the State that controls the land or to refer to the nation that lives on the land. This is often additionally confused since the territory, state (government) and nation frequently share the same name. So we could consider a country to be the entity that is formed by all three parts, State (government), Nation (people) and territory (land). | |||
For the purposes of this directory, a "country" is a nation state recognised by international law, typically through representation at the [[United Nations]]. Be aware, however, that some nation states are composed of countries that may be only culturally recognised or may have formal recognition only within that nation state. The most notable example of this would be the [[United Kingdom]], which is composed of four widely recognised countries ([[England]], [[Scotland]], [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]]) that, for example, compete in many sports separately at international level. | However, complications can arise. For example the territory of the island of Ireland is not coterminous with the territory controlled by the State of Ireland. The borders of the country may be disputed but is still contains a large area of land that is undisputed so remains a country in the wider sense of the word. In other cases, such as the American aboriginals, the nation remains but has been striped of it's territory. Without territory, it cannot be considered a country. | ||
This list tries to use an inclusive definition. For the most part it contains internationally recognised counties with a fully autonomous and independent state with recognised territory that is home to the population of that State. However, at the bottom of the page we have also listed some states or territories that are disputed. We have also tried to explain in brief the reason for the dispute. | |||
Some territories commonly referred to as countries, make up part of a larger country through union. For example Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are all commonly known as countries. However, they are not independent of each other. While Scotland and Wales have a level of autonomy through recent devolution of powers, they remain a constituent part of the United Kingdom. Other territories display a high level of autonomy but are considered to belong to or be dependant upon a larger state. We have not listed such territories in column 1 of the table but rather listed them as a division of the parent state. | |||
<!-- For the purposes of this directory, a "country" is a nation state recognised by international law, typically through representation at the [[United Nations]]. Be aware, however, that some nation states are composed of countries that may be only culturally recognised or may have formal recognition only within that nation state. The most notable example of this would be the [[United Kingdom]], which is composed of four widely recognised countries ([[England]], [[Scotland]], [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]]) that, for example, compete in many sports separately at international level. | |||
By contrast, Northern Cyprus, although to all practical purposes an independent country, has no legal recognition, with United Nations recognition reserved for the Republic of [[Cyprus]]. | By contrast, Northern Cyprus, although to all practical purposes an independent country, has no legal recognition, with United Nations recognition reserved for the Republic of [[Cyprus]]. | ||
In this list we have stuck to the internationally recognised, United Nations represented, entities. We will deal with constituent or controversial countries within relevant articles. --> | |||
==Widly Recognised Counties== | ==Widly Recognised Counties== | ||
Revision as of 04:56, 3 May 2007
The word country is not one that defined easily. In it's simplest form, a country is just a area of land. However, it is also commonly used to refer the the State that controls the land or to refer to the nation that lives on the land. This is often additionally confused since the territory, state (government) and nation frequently share the same name. So we could consider a country to be the entity that is formed by all three parts, State (government), Nation (people) and territory (land).
However, complications can arise. For example the territory of the island of Ireland is not coterminous with the territory controlled by the State of Ireland. The borders of the country may be disputed but is still contains a large area of land that is undisputed so remains a country in the wider sense of the word. In other cases, such as the American aboriginals, the nation remains but has been striped of it's territory. Without territory, it cannot be considered a country.
This list tries to use an inclusive definition. For the most part it contains internationally recognised counties with a fully autonomous and independent state with recognised territory that is home to the population of that State. However, at the bottom of the page we have also listed some states or territories that are disputed. We have also tried to explain in brief the reason for the dispute.
Some territories commonly referred to as countries, make up part of a larger country through union. For example Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are all commonly known as countries. However, they are not independent of each other. While Scotland and Wales have a level of autonomy through recent devolution of powers, they remain a constituent part of the United Kingdom. Other territories display a high level of autonomy but are considered to belong to or be dependant upon a larger state. We have not listed such territories in column 1 of the table but rather listed them as a division of the parent state.
Widly Recognised Counties
Other less well recognised countries
Some territories effectivly behave like a country but have, for one reason or another, not recieved wide recognition or are disputed or claimed by another country.
| Name | Capital | Currency | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy See | Vatican |
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| Palestine |
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| Kosovo |
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| Taiwan |
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| Western Sahara |
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Notes and References
- List of recognised counties sourced form UN member states list
- Population data sourced form [# | Add address here]