One of my favorite questions to answer; what’s the difference between a country, a state, and a nation. All 3 terms are used interchangeably but actually do have very specific meanings.

A country is the geographical region that includes the territories and borders of a state or nation.

A state is the governing body that operates and exerts administrative control over a territory or nation.

A nation is much more complicated and not as clear cut but in essence is the people who occupy a country or state. The bonds that create a nation can be different depending on who you ask and be a global world spanning bond like a religion or language or something small scale and local, like a sports team or a neighborhood block.

Hope that helps