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Writer's pictureOisin Carney

What is a Postal Code?

A postal code is a string of letters or digits that helps simplify the task of bringing mail to its proper destination. While systems vary from nation to nation, the underlying aim is the same: to help streamline mail delivery by facilitating quicker sorting and routing.



Postal codes, also known as zip codes in the United States, were developed out of necessity in the post-World War II era. As the population grew rapidly, older methods of distributing mail began to break down. The ZIP code system was introduced to address this need, enabling faster and more accurate routing.


The five digits of a ZIP code represent a national area, a region or city, and a delivery area. The first digit designates the country; the second identifies the area, such as a state or province; and the third digits identify the association post office or mail processing facility within that area.


It’s important to note that while most English-speaking nations include their postal codes at the end of an address, other nations place them nearer to the beginning. In the case of countries such as Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, the code comes before the name of a city in an address. In the case of the UK, they are usually written at the start of a line of information following the name of a town or city, although for some nations such as Japan and Ukraine, they may be placed on a separate line.


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