Counting Sort is a special type of sorting method that is different from others because of how it works. Instead of comparing numbers to decide where they go, Counting Sort counts how many times each number appears. Then, it uses that count to place each number in the right spot in the final sorted list.

Key Features:

1. Using a Count Array
   To start, Counting Sort makes a "count array." This is a list that keeps track of how many times each number shows up in the original list. If the highest number in the list is $k$, the count array will have $k + 1$ spots for counting the numbers. This way, we can count easily without comparing the numbers directly.

2. Fast Sorting Time
   Counting Sort works best when the range of numbers ($k$) isn’t much bigger than the amount of numbers we have ($n$). Its sorting speed can be described as $O(n + k)$, which makes it very fast for many types of problems. This is better than most sorting methods that usually take $O(n \log n)$ when working under the best conditions.

3. Dealing with Duplicates
   Counting Sort is great at handling duplicate numbers. By counting how many times each number appears, it keeps the duplicates in the final sorted list. It also makes sure that they keep their original order, a feature called "stability." This means that if you have a list with the same numbers appearing several times, Counting Sort will sort it well without mixing them up.

4. No Comparisons
   What really makes Counting Sort stand out is that it doesn’t compare numbers. Instead of figuring out where each number goes by comparing it to others, it just counts how many of each number there are. This unique way of sorting helps it do very well with certain types of data, especially when working with integers or groups of items.

In conclusion, Counting Sort is special because of its counting array, fast sorting time, ability to handle duplicates, and lack of comparisons. These qualities make it a useful option for sorting, especially for certain types of data sets.