> it's mostly based on ISO 3166 which is in turn derived from the names of countries. The mostly is significant; in several cases the ISO was over-ridden and

> it's mostly based on ISO 3166 which is in turn derived from the names of countries. The mostly is significant; in several cases the ISO was over-ridden and arbitrary but sensible codes assigned e.g. UK instead of GB. Many smaller territories were not granted codes in ISO3166 and had to be 'invented' for the TLDs ISO3166 is in itself a bit of a mess, and since it became used for TLDs there have been dozens of requests for changes and additions based on new TLD assignments.