Here's why:
* Nation: Refers to a group of people who share a common culture, history, language, and often, a sense of shared identity.
* State: Refers to a political entity with defined territory, a government, and sovereignty.
A nation-state is when a nation and a state coincide. This means that the people within the state largely share a common culture, history, and language.
While not all countries are perfect examples of nation-states (due to internal diversity, historical complexities, or shifting demographics), the term accurately describes a country founded on these shared elements.