Molise has a population of 300k. The smallest state in the US is Wyoming at almost twice the size (580k).

That also doesn't address the parent's observation that US states view themselves as having very distinct identities.

A better example from Italy might be Naples, which has a population big enough to be a US state and which does have a very distinct identity. And I wouldn't be surprised at all to hear someone introduce themselves as from Naples.

Since when does the population size of a nation (especially in comparison to a region in another country) have anything to do with its status as a nation? Should Andorra be on this list, or just merged into France, perhaps?

It's not status as a nation, it's recognizability as a distinct place.

When someone asks where you're from, you're likely to reach for the most specific unit that you think that they will recognize.

In some conversations that will be the nation. In other conversations that will be the region. In other conversations that will be the city or even the neighborhood.

One major factor that affect how recognizable a placename is is population size.

> When someone asks where you're from, you're likely to reach for the most specific unit that you think that they will recognize.

Agreed. Considering this thread was international in scope, I've been disappointed by the apparent lack of awareness some people have of the way the rest of the world sees their nation.

> That also doesn't address the parent's observation that US states view themselves as having very distinct identities.

Most countries I've been to do this. However just as you wouldn't be able to pick the (to me) obvious differences between someone from Perth and Victoria, I wouldn't be able to pick the nuanced difference between someone from Wyoming and New York. They all sound American to me.

Naples is not a region though, it doesn't make any sense to compare that in this conversation. Maybe Campania would work though.

The point isn't to compare regions to regions, is to compare geographical designators by how likely someone outside your country is to recognize the name. Population size and distinctive identity are two factors that matter in that regard.

In some conversations the most recognizable name will be the city. In others it will be the region. You pick the one that is most likely to be recognized.

> Population size and distinctive identity are two factors that matter in that regard.

Identity, yes. Population size, no. Vatican City? Monaco? Ireland?

> In some conversations the most recognizable name will be the city. In others it will be the region. You pick the one that is most likely to be recognized.

Exactly. Since this thread has been about international identities, it would be useful to consider how a nation is perceived by those from outside that nation. The name of the country is way more accessible than regional specifics.