Strictly speaking, a country is a political entity with its own independent government, geographical space, and, in most cases, laws, a military, and taxes. However, political, ethnic, and cultural considerations frequently blur the lines. National Geographic recognizes 194 countries, all members of the United Nations. But this number can swell to 245 or more when disputed areas like Northern Cyprus and Taiwan and territories like Bermuda, Greenland, and Puerto Rico are included.