What ACTUALLY is a nation?

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      As we have been discussing what makes a nation in class lately, it has gotten me thinking about how we classify a nation. We have focused on two different "classifications" of what a nation is - civic vs. ethnic. But, are there other ways to classify a nation? I have a hard time believing that a certain believed nation could be described as completely a civic nation or as completely an ethnic nation. I guess where I get confused is what is actually considered a nation - when speaking of nations, are some civic nations and some ethnic? Are both classifications just lumped together as being a nation in general, while in all reality it is either ethnic or civic? In my opinion, a nation is a mix of the two of the two classifications. Then why are these the only two classifications that we, along with historians and philosophers, seem to talk about? Are the defining features of a nation up to the person who is defining the nation, or are there set guidelines? Does there have to be any agreement between multiple people?
      Growing up in the United States and the education that I have been provided, I have never thought of a nation as having a set definition. Actually, when we spoke about what a nation was while I was growing up, nation was always synonymous with country. This has led myself and many others to wrongly identify nations - because nations are not necessarily the same thing as the countries that they reside in. I believe that "nation" is one of those words that people use too loosely and without much thought to it. Defining what a nation is and then calling it as such requires much more thought than being able to quickly identify a country. 
      I have also been thinking about whether people usually identify with their nation to which they belong. It probably depends on the person, the type of nation they are exposed to, and where they are from/how they grew up. 
      Even while writing this, I understand more why we are discussing what a nation is in class. I think I confused myself with the whole thing while writing. If anybody could provide further insight and clarification, it would be much appreciated!

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