The top-level domain (TLD) “.bzh” is an approved Internet domain name extension that is designated specifically for the culture and languages of Brittany, France. A top-level domain is the last part of a domain name. The most recognized TLDs are “.com,” “.net,” and “.org”. TLDs can be categorized into two types – generic (gTLD) and country-code (ccTLD). The “.bzh” TLD is an example of a geoTLD (geographic TLD), a kind of gTLD that is associated with a geographical location, region, or city.
The “.bzh” TLD represents ‘Breizh’, which is the word for Brittany in the Breton language. The initiation for this TLD was sparked by a desire to promote the unique cultural and linguistic identity of Brittany on the Internet. This initiative was supported, among others, by the Regional Council of Brittany and the French State.
The Association www.bzh, which has been the main driver behind the process of obtaining this TLD, launched it officially on 4th June 2014 after years of negotiations with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is the organization that oversees the assignment of all internet domain names. Before ICANN approved of “.bzh” as a top-level domain in 2013, there was a delegation period for configuration of the domain into the system.
Since May 2014, trademarks owners and public bodies have had priority to choose their “.bzh” domain names. The Association also started a “pioneer” program that intended to exchange visibility against use and promotion of the “.bzh” domain name. As of 2000 local public bodies and companies registered during the 2-month Sunrise Period, and over 6,000 domain names were registered in the first month of public opening.
The “.bzh” domain name promotes the regional digital identity of Brittany and contributes to its global visibility and influence. Today, numerous institutions, organizations, companies, and individuals within and related to the Breton culture have embraced this domain.
Some examples of websites that use the “.bzh” domain include; www.bretagne.bzh (the official website of the region of Brittany), www.deski.bzh (a site dedicated to Breton language learning), and www.kengo.bzh (a collaborative transport platform in Brittany).
The source of information for this response includes ICANN’s official registry of TLD’s, news from “Association www.bzh”, the official website of Brittany, and more.
To conclude, the “.bzh” top-level domain represents an internet-focused effort to promote the cultural and linguistic heritage of Brittany, enabling a unique digital presence for the region that can be embraced by entities and individuals alike.
Sources:
1. ICANN’s records
2. Association www.bzh
3. www.bretagne.bzh
4. www.deski.bzh
5. www.kengo.bzh
Please note that information about the number of registered “.bzh” domains might have changed as it varies over time.
