Lesson 1: The Concept of a Country

Learning Objectives:
In this lesson, you should be able to:
 Discuss the concept of a country
o Give an example of a country
o Enumerate the characteristics of a country
 Define a country
 Explain that the Philippines is a country

U nderstand the following terms that you will encounter in this lesson:
 Colony- a territory under the control of another territory
 Continent- large landmass which is sorrounded by water such as Asia,
Europe, Australia, North America, South America and Antartica
 Democracy- A system of government run by the people through their
representatives who are chosen via an election
 Protectorate- a state under the power or protection of a more powerful
state
 Sovereignty- the authority of a state to govern itself
 State- a group of people living in a specific place with an independent
government.

At present, there are less that 196 countries in the world. The Philippines is one
of them. It is located in Asia.

What is a country? A country or a nation is composed of people living in a

particular territory who are united through its language, traditions, practices, and
 history. A country that possesses full control of its territory and enjoys independence is
also called a state.

A country may be classified as small,

The countries in
average, and big based in its territorial
extent. There are small countries such as the world are

Vatican Citry, Gibraltar, Nauru, Tuvalu, San located in the continents of

Marino, and others. There are also countries Asia, Europe, North America, South

that are of average size such as the America, Africa, and Australia. There is

Philippines, Japan, Italy, Poland, Malaysia, no country found in Antartica because

and Zimbabwe. Some countries are people can’t live there due to the very

considered big such as China, Brazil, cold climate.

Australia, and United States of America

(USA).

Countries in the world may also be

Indonesia is
classifies according to the type of its
located in Asia and
landform. There are countries composed
considered as the largest archipelago in the only of a single island such as Sri Lanka,
world. It has more or less 18,000 islands. Madagascar, Jamaica, and Iceland. Other
countries are archipelagos such as the
Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, United
Kingdom, and New Zealand. Some
Australia which is
countries are referred to as peninsulas
located in the Australian such as the North and South Korea, India,
continent is more appropriately referred to as Spain, and Portugal. There are also
a continental landmass although it is also countries that are part of a mainland
considered as an island. This is because due continent because their territory is within
to its size which is almost the same as ca the landmass of a continent. Many of the
continent. countries in the world fall in this
classification. Example of these countries are Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China,
Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.

1.1 The Philippines As A Country

There are countries which cannot be considered absolutely independent despite
having its own identity. These countries can be considered colonies or protectorates. A
country that is under the direct rule of a more powerful country is called a colony.
Colonies usually have no freedom and power to exercise its own laws over its territory.
On the other hand, protectorates though independent are still under the control of a
more powerful country. Protectorates receive assistance and protection from its
colonizer based on an agreement.

To be considered as a state, every country needs to have the following

characteristics or elements:

1. Territory
Territory is one of the characteristics of a state or a country. A country may only
be considered a state if it has a territory to control in accordance to international laws.
Countries in the world vary in size or territorial extend. States like Russia, Canada,
U.S.A., India, China, Brazil and some others are large sized states whereas Nepal,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldivies, Switzerland, Togo, Brundi and many others are States
with small territories. The international laws recognize that all nations despite their
territorial size have equal rights.

It is important for a country to determine its national territory to avoid invasions

or intrusions. The territorial extend and boundary of the Philippines is stipulated in
pertinent documents which are based on its history, constitution, international laws, and
the archipelagic doctrine.
 2. People
Another important characteristics of a country is its people or citizens. The citizen
of a country are also considered as its main resource. A country will develop if its
people are productive, united, and supportive of the government in achieving goals and
objectives for the welfare of the nation.

As part of the state, it is the citizen’s responsibility to be loyal to his/her country.

They are expected to serve and defend their country during the times of wars and
hostilities.

3. Government
Government is another important element of a state or country. It is the
institution that ensures that the nation’s goals and the citizen’s aspirations are carried
out. There are countries which are run by a single person but there are also countries
that are governed by groups of people who are
chosen by the people to administer, run, and serve
The constitution
the nation.
is the most
important document of a state. It
4. Sovereignty
serves as the foundation and basis of
Sovereignty is the supreme power of a state
the government’s power which is
or a country to govern itself and to impose
obedience to its people to ensure common good distributed to its branches to protect
the rights and ensure the welfare of
and benefit to all citizens.
its people.
Popular sovereignty prevails in the
Philippines. This means that sovereignty lies in the hands of the People. According to
Article II, Section I of the 1987 Constitution: The Philippines is a demographic and
republican state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority
emanates from them. Based on this provision, our country can be considered a
republican and a democratic state.
 There are two kinds of sovereignty- internal
sovereignty and external sovereignty. Internal
sovereignty refers to the power of the state to
impose obedience to its people living in its
A republic is a type of
territory. The country;s order and development
government wherein the people
depends on internal sovereignty which includes
have the power to vote and choose
implementation of laws, public services,
representatives who will govern
administration of natural resources, maintenance of
the country.
peace and order, and the preservation of freedom
and upholding of rights of its people.

External sovereignty refers to the freedom of the state to promote activities

concerning economy, education, taxes, employment, and others that will contribute to

national welfare without interference from other countries. It is also manifested in the

country’s power to establish good ties in other countries. This can be in seen in the

country’s control over embassies outside the country and its jurisdiction over Filipinos

living and working abroad but are still governed by the Philippine laws. The flag,

currency, and the official seal of the country are some of the external soverignty.
A. Give what is asked in every number.
_____________1. Composed of living in a specific place having their own language,
tradition, customs, and history.
_____________2. Type of landform of countries composed of islands.
_____________3. Type of landform of countries which part extending outward to the
waters.
_____________4. Madagascar and Taiwan are two of those countries included in this
type of landform.
_____________5. Type of landform of countries which are within the landmass of their
mainland continent.
_____________6. Number of continents in the world.
_____________7. Continent where the Philippines belongs.
_____________8. A country that is under the direct rule of a more powerful country.
_____________9. A country that is independent but still under the control of a more
powerful country.
_____________10. It is considered as the largest archipelago in the world.

B. Using a world map, list five countries based on its territorial extent and its type of
landform. Fill in the chart below.

Average-Sized
Small Countries Big Countries
Countries

Archipelago/ Countries situated within

Island
Peninsula a Mainland Continent
C. Identify the term/ word being described in each number. Use as your guide the
number of boxes and the clues below.

1. This is the large landmass sorrounded by bodies of water.

2. The national language of the Philippines

3. Because it is made up of thousands of islands, the Philippines is an ______.

4. Based on its sized, the Philippines is considered ____________.

5. A country is also called a ______________

6. It ensures the welfare of the country and its people.

7. The supreme power of a state or country to govern itself.

8. A country’s main resource is its _______.

9. The citizen of the Philippines are called ______.

10. The type of sovereignty the gives the power to the country to govern itself.
D. Answer the following questions.
1. Enumerate the important characteristics of a state. Are these characteristics
evident in our country? Justify your answer.

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2. How important is sovereignty in one country? Explain.

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3. What would happen to a country if it lacks the characteristics of a state?
Justify your answer.

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