What is a nation-state?

A nation-state is defined as a country where a group of people with a shared identity, such as language, culture, history, or ethnicity, constitutes the primary population. This shared identity often fosters a sense of belonging among the people living within the borders of the nation-state, contributing to a cohesive national culture and political unity.

In the context of global politics and geography, the concept of a nation-state is crucial because it represents the merging of political and national identities. Nation-states have clearly defined territories and centralized governance, which distinguishes them from communities without borders or regions ruled by multiple entities. The sense of belonging to a specific nation often drives patriotism and national policies, influencing how the nation-state interacts with other countries on the global stage.

The other options do not encompass the full complexity of what constitutes a nation-state. A community without borders refers to a concept of social or cultural groups that transcend geographic limitations, which is not characteristic of the defined borders of a nation-state. A political system based on monarchy describes a form of governance, but not necessarily the collective identity of the people, while a region governed by multiple countries suggests a lack of unified identity and governance, contrasting with the cohesive nature of a nation-state.