Zip code - what is it?

Russian-speaking users often have questions about the Zip Code. What it is? In fact, everything is simple. This is an ordinary postal code in the United States of America. What are its features and differences from our index? Let's consider this.

Every country in the world uses its own system of postal indexation. Somewhere, only numerical identifiers are used, and in other countries also alphabetic identifiers.

Differences from the index in Russia

So, Zip Code - what is it? Russia uses the usual zip code. In the US it is called differently. At us the postal code consists of six figures, and there from five or nine. In the second case, it is written using a hyphen after the first five digits. Defines the Zip Code and the destination region. Usually in simple cities dozens of indices, and in large cities - hundreds. In the case where nine digits are used, an extension is used that specifies the address.

History

The system of indices in the United States has been used since the early 1960s. The abbreviation translated into Russian sounds like a "zone improvement plan". The system was invented for faster sorting of letters and faster delivery. The author is considered to be Robert Mun, despite the fact that he suggested using a three-digit index. It was thanks to him that the new system worked in the test mode. He offered it back in 1944. Then he worked as a postal inspector. First, the indices consisted of only five digits, but were later expanded. Before the introduction of Zip-codes, the index was recorded using the ordinal number of the postal district within the city limits.

Meaning of digits

The new system implied that the first three digits meant one or another centralized point where sorting of mail arrived from all post offices assigned to this item. The last two digits pointed to the post office number, in which it was necessary to send correspondence. If it was a large city, then the previous serial number of its postal district coincided with them.

Interesting Facts

In the late 60's the system of postal codes acquired the status of mandatory on the territory of the whole country. In order to popularize the indexes, a cartoon character named Mr. Zip, who was portrayed on postage stamps and billboards, was coined. I wonder what the four-year-old son of the postman designed and painted.

Also for the promotion of the new system were recorded songs for the then known melodies.

Nowadays

Postal service since 1983 began to use extended indexing. The last four digits can mean a certain city block or residential multi-apartment complex, an office that needs an additional identifier to facilitate delivery.

Government agencies in the US also have separate Zip codes.

Because of the modern development of technology, it is sufficient to use only a five-digit index. The recognition devices are able to read addresses, instantly determining the index. Special software is also used for this.

Search for an index at

The postal code in the United States of America is also called PostCode, Zip Code. What is it - we found out. But how to find it? For search, there is a special Postal Service website. Entering the address, you can get an accurate zip code.

It is worth noting that PostCode can also be understood as a letter abbreviation for a certain state of the country. The code consists of two letters and completely coincides with the abbreviations ANSI (Institute of Standards).

Zip Code and bank cards

Due to the widespread development of Internet services, more and more users around the world are making purchases online. And often there are different difficulties. For example, a user from Russia wants to buy something on an American site. When paying with a card, he is asked to enter the Billing Zip Code. What it is? The majority stop at this stage. In fact, there is nothing complicated. This term is that zip code that is attached to a user's bank card. That's it and need to enter for the purchase.

Thus, we found out that the Zip Code is an ordinary postal code. It differs from the Russian only in the number of digits. It is used both for sending and receiving mail, and for making purchases in these and online stores.