State, Country, Nation

A political community exercising control, through a permanent institution, over a defined territory, and internationally recognized

State definition (HEYWOOD),

Geographic territory ruled by a state

Country definition

Group of people who share a common history, culture, and tradition

Nation definition

Nation

This may or may not have a country or state

Defined territory, Permanent population, Government, and Sovereignty

Four elements of a state according to the Montevideo Convention

Legal

This type of sovereignty pertains to the authority to enact laws over land and people (Congress).

Political

This type of sovereignty pertains to the absolute political power to command compliance (the executive implementing laws).

Internal

This is a type of sovereignty that says a state has absolute authority over its own territory.

External

The sovereignty that allows a state to conduct foreign affairs

State

It refers to an independent political entity with clear geographic boundaries.