Nation

A nation is a large group of people with a singular, shared, and commonly-accepted historical identity, usually identified by a common name. Nations are conventionally associated with (and in part defined by) territories, and thus are frequently associated with countries. Nations, however, are not the same as countries or states: there are nations without states and there are states that are not coterminous with a single nation. Nevertheless, a nation is often defined in terms of a state, and especially sovereignty; all the members of the United Nations, for example, are sovereign states. Common symbols of nationhood are national anthems, and national flags.