A nation is a group of people who are bound together by a strong sense of shared values, cultural characteristics such as language and religion, and a perceived common history, often aspiring to self-determination and the formation of their own state. The sense of belonging and collective identity among members of a nation is often based on shared cultural heritage, traditions, myths, and a feeling of common destiny. While a nation may or may not have its own state, the desire for national self-governance is a central aspect of nationalism. The boundaries of a nation are often culturally defined and may not always align with the political boundaries of existing states, leading to complex issues of national identity, territorial claims, and political movements for national unification or independence.