# Creating a database with territory-based collation

By default, Derby uses Unicode codepoint collation. However, you can specify territory-based collation when you create the database.

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You can use the `collation` and `territory` attributes to specify territory-based collation. This type of collation applies only to user-defined tables. The system tables use the Unicode codepoint collation.

Restriction: The `collation` attribute can be specified only when you create a database. You cannot specify this attribute on an existing database or when you upgrade a database.

To create a database with territory-based collation:

Specify the language and country codes for the `territory` attribute, and the TERRITORY_BASED value for the `collation` attribute when you create the database.

For example:

    jdbc:derby:MexicanDB;create=true;territory=es_MX;collation=TERRITORY_BASED

Parent topic: Working with the database connection URL attributes