Page 88 - Social Studies 7

or owned by a single government of a state to exercise sovereignty. A state does not
have fixed territory. On the basis of territory or land area countries are categorized
into big and small. Russia is the biggest country and Vatican City is the smallest
country. Countries' territory are fixed either by man-made boundaries like Junge
pillar or by natural boundaries like Mountain range or rivers. Nepal is bordered
India by East, West and South and China from north. It has natural boundaries
in East, the Mechi River, west the Mahakali River and North Mountain ranges
whereas there are man-made boundaries too. They are Junge pillar created in
southern boundaries. A country is identified by its territory; therefore, it is a very
important component of a nation.

3. Government

Another most important element of a state is government. It is the executive
organ to govern the state. In a nation there is a single government to rule the
country. The system by which a state is governed or controlled is known as the
government. Without government, a state becomes incomplete like children without
parents. There is no fixed system of ruling the country. The government is very
important because it maintains peace and security, controls misunderstanding,
violence or conflict, utilizes available means and resources and carries out day to
day administrative activities for the welfare of the people.

The government carries out different functions such as border security, army
development, maintains foreign affairs, makes laws and orders, protects the
sovereignty of the state and so on.

4. Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the supreme power of a state. The Constitution of Nepal, 2072
states that as 'the sovereignty and the state authority of Nepal are vested in the
Nepalese people. It shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions set forth
in this constitution(Part 1, Article 2). According to Merriam Webster dictionary,
sovereignty is a country's independent authority and the right to govern itself.
A country must be sovereign to maintain its dignity. A state is well recognized
and respected when it is sovereign. A sovereign state is independent and does
not come under the control of any other state. When a nation is individual and
permanent, it is called a sovereign state.

5. Constitution

Constitution is the supreme law of the country. All other laws, Acts,
Charter, rules and regulations are prepared according to the constitution. In case
of country, the provision in the constitution will be decisive. So, the constitution
is also the important element of the country. The present constitution of Nepal
rd
is ''The Constitution of Nepal-2072'' promulgated on 3 Ashoj, 2072 by the first

Dynamic Social Studies and Population Education - Book VII 88