General Synonyms:
* Nation
* State
* Land
* Realm
* Territory
* Region
* Homeland
* Fatherland (can have a strong patriotic connotation)
More Specific Synonyms:
* For a geographical area: nation-state, sovereignty, commonwealth, dominion, republic
* For a rural area: countryside, backwoods, hinterland, farmland, the sticks (informal)
* For a place of origin: birthplace, native land
* For a place of citizenship: citizenship, nationality
More Figurative Synonyms:
* Referring to a specific kind of music: folk, Americana, country music
* Referring to a style: rustic, rural, provincial
The best synonym to use depends on the specific situation. For example, if you're talking about a political entity, "nation" might be the best choice. If you're talking about a rural area, "countryside" would be more appropriate.