what is a country?

Answer 1

A country, a land, or a state, is a geographical area that connotes an independent political entity, with its own government, administration, laws, often a constitution, police, military, tax rules, and population, who are one another's countrymen

Answer 2

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.[1], while in some occasions it refers only to state.[2] It is not uncommon for general information or statistical publications to adopt the wider definition for purposes such as illustration and comparison.[3]

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.[3]

Answer 3

Look up the definition in a dictionary. Note the difference between country and county. Otherwise ask Jeeves or Google.

Usually, a country has its own government regardless of which continent it is in.