Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Agents Facet
3. Organizations (hierarchy name)
4. organizations (groups)
5. administrative bodies
6. political administrative bodies
7. [political administrative bodies by degree of independence]
8. sovereign states

Anotations

Scope note:

Independent states, or regions once independent and still distinct in race, language, institutions, or historical memories. For example, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are countries in the nation of the United Kingdom.