What Does a Postal Code Mean?

If you have ever wondered, what does a postal code mean, you're not alone. The United States, Canada, and the UK all use a system of codes. Each code is composed of different components, but they all begin with the same three digits: the first letter indicates the city, the second letter the province, and the third number the territory. Canada was the first country to create a postal code system, and its post office system expanded along with the growth in population during the 1950s and 1960s. The postal system became more efficient by using the three-digit code, and in 1963, the USPS added three more digits, creating a six-digit code system.

You can find postal codes for any address in the world. All you need to do is visit the official website of the issuing body and type in the postal code you want. In most cases, you'll find the postal code on the lower left hand side. If you're sending something to a different country, the postal code will appear on the lower-left corner. You can also find postal codes for other countries by visiting the official website of the country's post office.

The first digit of the postal code represents the region to which the address belongs. This digit helps identify the intended recipient. Unlike the US ZIP code, the United Kingdom has no set postal code. In addition, a postal code can be unique to a location. For example, a PO box usually has a different postal code than a home address. Similarly, large buildings or organizations often have a unique postal code.