Akatsuki wears their home countries headbands, but with the symbol scratched out through the middle. That is there way of saying where they are originally from. Their rings with the symbol for Wind on them is what signifies them as members of Akatsuki.

Also Orchimaru has killed two Kages so far, if it wasn't for him and Kabuto their country would be the weakest I think. They are above Sand though which I hold in lowest regards in terms of power.