The practice of referring to countries as “she” or using female pronouns when talking about countries is a holdover from ancient times when women were often associated with the land and nature. This linguistic convention was common in many ancient civilizations, including Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe, where the concept of a country or nation was often personified as a mother or a woman.

For example, in Homer’s epics, Greece is personified as a goddess, and the Roman goddess Roma personified the city of Rome. This personification was a way to give a human-like quality to the idea of a nation or country, making it easier for people to relate to and feel affection for their homeland.

Over time, these practices became ingrained in the languages and cultures of many societies, and the use of female pronouns to refer to countries continued even as attitudes toward gender evolved. Today, this practice is not meant to imply that countries are literally female or that one gender is superior to another. Instead, it is a remnant of a long-standing tradition in language and culture.

It’s worth noting that not all countries or languages follow this convention, and the use of pronouns can vary widely depending on local customs and historical traditions. Some countries are referred to using male pronouns, and in some languages, countries are never personified at all. The use of “she” for countries is, therefore, a matter of convention rather than a universal rule.