A keyboard layout refers to the arrangement of keys on a keyboard, which determines how letters, numbers, and symbols are accessed. The most common layout is the QWERTY layout, named after the first six letters in the top row. Other layouts, like AZERTY and Dvorak, are designed to improve typing efficiency or accommodate different languages. Different countries and languages may have unique keyboard layouts to suit their specific needs. For example, the QWERTZ layout is popular in Germany, while the JIS layout is used in Japan. Understanding these layouts can help users type more effectively in various languages.