What is Postal Code and Zip Code?

If you're wondering what the difference between a zip code and a postal one is, read on. They are basically two different numbers, which are related to your location. Postal codes, in contrast, are tied to a specific region or location. Postal codes can begin with 0 for northern New England or with 9 for the west coast, which includes Alaska and Hawaii. Depending on where you live, there are more than a hundred different postal codes.

The ZIP Code is assigned by the United States Postal Service, and the first two digits represent a city or district in the area. The second and third digits represent a district within a specific region. The fourth and fifth digits represent a set of delivery addresses within the area. This structure is named for the region where a city is located, though in some cases, the city or district is not designated.

Canada's postal code system began in 1925, and the first three digits are known as the zone number. Unlike the U.S., Canada's postal codes were established long before that. Canada's postal system began in Toronto and eventually expanded to other provinces. It took a decade for the postal system to become nationwide. The three-digit system was eventually replaced by a six-digit system in 1969.