Italy

Like many European former-Empires, still trading on past glories. Often to the detriment of current problems, like refuse collection, sanitation and a criminally corrupt political elite. Modern Italy doesn't work. At all defining epochs in its history, culturally significant. Probably the unsafest country in Europe in which to be a woman.

Invented the concept of a professional standing military, who haven't won a significant battle since the mid 400s.