In studying mythology and culture, one will find that personifications/deities of earth, land, nations, etc. are almost female. To grossly simplify, this is thought to date back to early fertility rites and worship of mother goddesses. read more
Only in English are nations personified as motherland and she. There are many languages in which a nation is a fatherland (most notable being German Vaterland). Here is a link to languages where a nation is personified as a man: Fatherland. read more