A nation state is a political apparatus that exercises sovereignty and authority over a specific territory, with a population of citizens who typically share a strong sense of national identity, often reinforced by common cultural characteristics such as language, religion, and a perceived shared history, and whose authority is backed up by military force and a nationalistic, sovereign creed. The concept of a nation state combines the political entity of the state with the cultural and social entity of the nation, where the state is seen as representing and protecting the interests and identity of the nation within its defined borders. The rise of the nation state is a key feature of modern political history, particularly in Europe, and it continues to be the dominant form of political organisation globally, although the relationship between nation and state can be complex and contested, especially in diverse or multinational states.