Postal code refers to a coding method used for postal sorting automation and postal network digitization. It can divide the whole country into different postal regions, and each region has a unique code, which is convenient for fast and efficient mail delivery.

Types of postal codes

1. Domestic Postal Code: refers to the postal code of Chinese mainland, consisting of six digits. The first two represent provinces, the first three represent cities (counties), and the last two represent delivery bureaus (offices).

2. International postal code: it is a coding method used for international mail exchange and processing, and consists of five digits, with the first three representing countries or regions and the last two representing delivery offices (bureaus).

3. Postal Code of Special Administrative Region: It is applicable to postal codes of special administrative regions such as China, Hongkong and Macau, and consists of five digits, with the first two representing provinces and the last three representing cities (counties).

4. US Postal Code: This is the coding method used by the US Postal Service. It consists of five digits, the first two represent states, the third represents cities or counties, and the last two represent post offices.

5. French postal code: 1972 starts with six digits, with the first two digits representing provinces and the last three digits representing cities, regions or post offices respectively.

There are also some special postal codes, such as adding the letter "n" before the postal code.

The origin of postal code

The origin of postal codes can be traced back to Britain. In the early 1950s, Britain began to study postal codes, and it was tried out in Norich postal area on 1959, which opened the prelude to the world postal codes.

However, Britain is not the only country that has started to use postal codes. West Germany officially announced the 4-digit postal code at 196 1, becoming the first country in the world to implement the postal code nationwide. Since then, the United States, Britain, France, Australia, Switzerland and other countries have also implemented it nationwide.

In July 1980 1, China officially implemented the postal code system and implemented a unified postal code throughout the country.