The top-level domain (TLD) .GA is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Gabon, a sovereign country located on the west coast of Central Africa. Top-level domain names are the highest level of domains in the hierarchical DNS (Domain Name System) of the internet. Country code TLDs are generally used by a country or a dependent territory as their specific domain.
According to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS Root and IP addressing systems, the .GA TLD, much like any other ccTLDs, is used to denote websites that are intended for or related to Gabon. Moreover, the IANA’s domain name WHOIS Server is whois.nic.ga. These domains thereby guide users to websites that are geographically relevant and in the local languages.
As per the database of IANA, the sponsoring organization for the .GA TLD is Gabon Telecom, the national telecommunications and Internet service provider company of Gabon. The intended use for the .GA domain is for entities connected with Gabon, allowing them to put up websites with relevance to local individuals, issues, culture, tourism, businesses, and more.
One prime example of a .GA domain site can be seen from the Gabon national parks service to promote tourism (www.parcsgabon.ga). Providing Information and Services about the various parks, the location, wildlife, and other related subjects helps attract visitors from all over the world.
Despite being a ccTLD, .GA, originally intended to serve Gabon, is now commercially available to the international community as a generic TLD, with certain registrars offering .GA domain registration even to non-residents. One such example includes Freenom, a company that offers free and low-cost domain names, which lists .GA as one of its offerings. It’s useful to note that some limitations or conditions may apply depending on the respective terms and conditions set by Gabon Telecom or individual registrars.
Sources:
1. IANA Root Zone Database. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ga.html
2. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iana.org/
3. Gabon Telecom. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.gabontelecom.ga/
4. Freednom. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.freenom.com/en/index.html?lang=en
5. Gabon national parks site. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.parcsgabon.ga.
