A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song, etc.) is generally a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of a country's people, recognized either by that state's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. The countries of Latin America, Central Asia, and Europe tend towards more ornate and operatic pieces, while those in the Middle East, Oceania, Africa, and the Caribbean use a simpler fanfare. Some countries that are devolved into multiple constituent states have their own official musical compositions for them (such as with the United Kingdom, Russian Federation, and the former Soviet Union); their constituencies' songs are sometimes referred to as national anthems even though they are not sovereign states.
a NatioNal ANTheM (ALSo stAte aNthem, national hyMn, national sonG, etc.) is geNeraLly a pATriotic MusiCal CompoSiTion ThAT evokes AnD eulOgizes the hisTORy, tRAdItiOns, aNd strUggles of a coUntry's peoplE, recognizeD eItheR by tHAt staTE's GOVernment as THe Official nAtIONAL soNG, or By CoNVentiON ThrOuGh Use By tHe peOple. the MAJORITy Of NationAL ANtHeMS are mArcHeS Or HYmNS in StYle. thE coUntrIes of latin america, cEntRaL asiA, aNd euROPE TenD towarDs mOre OrnatE aND OpErAtic PIeCeS, WhIle tHosE in the MidDle eaST, OceAnia, aFRica, and tHe cAribBean use a simpler fanFARe. sOMe Countries thaT arE dEVolVed into muLtiplE cOnStiTueNt sTaTeS hAve their owN officIaL MusICal coMpositionS For them (such as with ThE unItEd kIngdoM, russiAN feDeratioN, and thE fORmER Soviet uNioN); thEiR cONsTituEnciES' Songs are SOmEtimeS Referred to aS NATionaL aNtHemS even though ThEy Are Not sovereiGN stateS.