this is a very general answer so don't take it as is,
in general those servers are very fast and big DNS servers they are called the ''dot'' servers as all the main data is being held on those servers.
keeping such a server is mostly pertigus and fame for the company that holds them, few years ago verysign wanted to add text infomatials to serchaes on the mail dot servers, the whole ''internet'' community was agenst it since essentially they control where and how you get to any place.
that's more or less it in a nutshell again i have to emphasizing that this is just general info go to wikipedia/google and other places and read more about it.
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