What does it take to be considered a country? Say for example one were to buy an island. What are the qualifications for the world to consider them an independent country?

star_gazer

A nation is much more than a privately owned island. Would that private island land owner consent to other people living on the island, organizing themselves into a government, and then passing ownership of that island unto the newly formed government. I am sure that many other things would be required like recognition from other nations. Mar 27 07, 7:47 PM

zbeckabee

Per WIKI: In political geography and international politics a country is a geographical entity, a territory, most commonly associated with the notions of state or nation. In common usage, it is used casually in the sense of both "nation" (a cultural entity; see below) and "state" (a political entity; see below). Definitions may vary. It is sometimes used to refer to both states and some other political entities while in some occasions it refers only to state. It is not uncommon for general information or statistical publications to adopt the wider definition for purposes such as illustration and comparison. There are dozens of non-sovereign territories which constitute geographical countries, but are not sovereign states. Several states have overseas dependencies, with territory and citizenry separate from their own. They are sometimes listed together with states on lists of countries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country Mar 27 07, 8:01 PM

bratpack1014

It'd be cool to have a country. Mar 27 07, 8:13 PM

star_gazer

Except when there is a revolution that inspires people to join its cause with promises to execute you. Mar 27 07, 8:25 PM

queproblema

Here's a determined soul who's been trying to have his own country for forty years, now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealand_%28HM_Fort_Roughs%29 Major Paddy Roy Bates, or H.R.H. Prince Roy, as he prefers, calls a rusty metal construction off the coast of Suffolk "Sealand." They've even had a war! Mar 27 07, 9:31 PM

wendypj

We have a similar lunatic here in Australia - he even prints his own money!! Her Majestys Government of Camside. http://www.principalityofcamside.cc/main.htm Mar 27 07, 11:25 PM