I tend to think of that as those nations caught up in a system undergirded by decadent antichristian woke life style and thought. Obviously it also points to a particular nation as well at the center of it all! It’s also speaks of those people of the Earth that God shall give over to delusion that they should believe a lie.
Revelation 18 defines a specific Great City, where they enriched the shipping sector and the other countries of the world sector by their massive luxury imports.
Now who does that remind one of ?
Revelation 18:
The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: