History of the TLD

.lat is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced through ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was delegated to the DNS root zone in 2015 and opened for general registration the same year. The TLD was created to support Latin American and Latino communities worldwide.

Main Use and Industry Position

.lat is designed to provide a cultural and regional namespace for Latin American and Latino individuals, organisations, businesses, and community groups. It signals Latin identity and regional relevance online and can be used for branding, cultural, commercial, nonprofit, or personal sites associated with Latin America.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with broad TLDs like .com or .net, .lat conveys a specific cultural and regional identity. It is similar to community or regional TLDs such as .asia or .eu. Unlike country-specific ccTLDs like .br or .mx, it represents a pan-Latin identity rather than a single nation.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Signals Latin American or Latino identity clearly

• Open registration with no formal restrictions

• Supports modern DNS features including DNSSEC

Cons

• Less recognized globally than legacy TLDs like .com

• Niche cultural focus may limit appeal for general commercial use

• Adoption remains modest in mainstream markets

Registration Criteria

.lat domains are available to individuals and organisations worldwide on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard domain name rules apply.

Summary

The .lat TLD is an active generic top-level domain intended to represent Latin American and Latino communities online. It offers open global registration and thematic identity value, suitable for cultural, business, community, and personal websites.