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Sovereign state
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<p> A sovereign state is a <a href="/facts/State_(polity)/7ggBzTSk">state</a> that has the highest <a href="/facts/Authority/6ksKEFDr">authority</a> over a <a href="/facts/Territory/j6KoWv1C">territory</a>. It is commonly understood that <a href="/facts/Sovereignty/QnYhTTem">a sovereign state is independent</a>. When referring to a specific <a href="/facts/Polity/0R8Wr4CL">polity</a>, the term "<a href="/facts/Country/a1QSEJhj">country</a>" may also refer to a constituent country, or a <a href="/facts/Dependent_territory/n2XWkq20">dependent territory</a>. </p><p>A sovereign <a href="/facts/State_(polity)/7ggBzTSk">state</a> is required to have a permanent population, defined territory, a <a href="/facts/Government/N4bYL0VC">government</a> not under another, and the capacity to <a href="/facts/International_relations/FgLEX3Cy">interact with other sovereign states</a>. In actual practice, recognition or non-recognition by other states plays an important role in determining the status of a country. <a href="/facts/List_of_states_with_limited_recognition/CgR9Rny1">Unrecognized states</a> often have difficulty engaging in <a href="/facts/Diplomacy/s5dRkAhk">diplomatic relations</a> with other sovereign states. </p>