A few questions about the show's universe

[Luna the Great of all the Russias 2,987]

I could have sworn I would have had more questions than this. Oh well. Here are some of them; maybe I'll think of more later on for those who know more about the MLP universe:

 

1) Is Equestria the country or the world?

2) Is it explained whether the Crystal Empire is actually an expansive empire or is has it been reduce to just the capital city (makes me think of the Byzantine Empire)? I ask this because we only ever see the one city and I'm unsure whether the Crystal Empire is only that or if there's actually quite a bit more to it.

3) Are the comics canon? Some canon? Or not at all?

[AnonBrony 1,468]

1. It's most probably a country, considering the official canon map doesn't show the whole planet. 

2. It's only that one city I believe. (might have been larger in the past)

3. Canon. 

[Roughshod 719]

1) Country. This is made evident in the episodes like Magic Duel, Equestria Games and Twilight's Kingdom which have featured representatives from Saddle Arabia and the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia. There's also some sort of Griffon Kingdom said to exist somewhere.

 

2) Seems to be mostly a city with some surrounding countryside.

 

3) The comics are generally considered canon by the producers and staff unless they contradict the show in which case the show takes precedence. In particular the IDW series 'My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic' comic series are widely considered to be supplementary to the show despite sometimes presenting themes that differ quite a bit from the main series e.g.: the existence of high school in 'Neigh Anything'.