# Defining Country elements

Country elements are IP address lists based on country-level geolocation information. They are grouped within continents.

Country elements can be used to filter traffic in Access rules, based on the source or destination country or an entire continent. They can also be used in NAT rules, Inspection rules, and File Filtering rules.
Note: You cannot edit or create Country elements or continents. Country elements are system elements that are imported and updated when you activate new dynamic update packages.

## Country Properties dialog box

Use this dialog box to view Country elements and the IP addresses that they contain.

Option | Definition
--- | ---
Name | Specifies the name of the Country element.
Description | Contains a description of the element.
View IP Addresses | Opens the IP Addresses dialog box where you can view the list of IP addresses that this Country element contains.
Version | Shows the Security Engine software versions that are compatible with this element.
Comment | Contains a comment about the element.