Countries of the World Map

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Countries of the world refer to the political division of the world into distinct territorial entities separated from each other by natural or political boundaries, inhabited by people from a diverse range of cultures, religions and languages, and organized under different forms of government and economic principles. The term ‘countries' is almost synonymously used with sovereign states, nations, and nation states. But there are finer nuances that separate each one of these. For instance, not all countries may be sovereign in the real sense of the term, and not all self-governing territories may be denoted as independent countries.

In the original definition of the term, a nation-state refers to an independent territory inhabited by a people with a common history and belonging to a homogenous culture and speaking a common language and following a uniform religion. But there are many nation-states that are inhabited by people speaking more than one common language and belonging to more than one distinct culture. Switzerland is a classic example. The principle languages of Switzerland are German, French and Italian and the speakers of each of the three languages belong to three distinct cultures. Yet the people of Switzerland identify themselves as Swiss and as possessing a unique Swiss character and identity. Similarly, the main ethnic nationalities in the city-state of Singapore are Malays, Chinese, Arabs, and Tamils. But economic success and a sense of belonging to a highly efficient economic and social culture have forged a unique Singaporean national identity.

There are also territories that may be denoted as countries owing to their distinct geographical location and cultural identity, and they may be self-governing to some extent. But still they may not be denoted as sovereign states. Such examples include Greenland and the Faeroe Islands of Denmark, Scotland and Wales in the UK, and the French Overseas Territories. There are also territories like Hong Kong and Macau that possess most of the characteristics of independent countries under the 'one country two systems' policy and enjoy substantial autonomous status but yet are integral parts of the People's Republic of China.

The Countries of the World Map therefore represents the political division of the world into distinct territorial entities, which may be termed as countries whether sovereign, independent, or self-governing.