Definitions for "Country Code Top-Level Domain"
Keywords:  cctld, gtlds, november, iso, japan
A top-level domain containing a 2-character abbreviation as defined by ISO 3166-1 (Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries and Their Subdivisions). As of late 2004 there are nearly 250 country code top level domains (ccTLDs) registered. Some examples are .us for the United States, .ca for Canada, .jp for Japan, .de for Germany, etc. ccTLDs are often contrasted to generic top level domains (gTLDs). ccTLDs often have more restrictive registration requirements including regional requirements whereas gTLDs tend to be open to all registrants around the world.
TLD containing a two-character abbreviation, as defined by ISO 3166-1 (Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries and Their Subdivisions). As of November 1999, there were 243 registered ccTLDs. Some examples are .US for the United States, .CA for Canada, .JP for Japan and .DE for Germany. ccTLDs often are contrasted with gTLDs. ccTLDs often have more restrictive registration requirements, including regional requirements, whereas gTLDs tend to be open to all registrants around the world. DNS: See Domain Name System.
A top-level domain name that is particular to a country, such as the ".fr" in www.yahoo.fr (the French Yahoo!). The U.S. has a country code (.us) but most American Web sites use the international TLDs (.com, .org, .net). Some countries have sold the rights to their ccTLDs (e.g., Tuvalu and .tv).