Postal codes are not merely a jumbled up combination of letters and digits. Just like everything else in this world we live in, there are rules to follow, and even postal codes adhere to a set of rules implemented by the country's national post services office. These rules ensure that postal codes for each area are unique, stay unique, and are unique for a reason other than just variety. These rules make up the restrictions and pointers for the national postal code syntax.
The postal code syntax refers to the standard way a postal code is generated and should be read within a certain country. That way, the digit or letter placements actually mean something, making it easier for the post office to sort which letters go to which town or county. The whole system is actually reminiscent of how vehicle license plates work: first two digits denote city or state of origin, last two digits denote year of initial registration, and etc.
Here are some examples of postal code varieties around the world:
Algeria – In Algeria, province capital postal codes are made up of the province code followed by three zeros. An example is 160000, the postal code for the province capital of Algiers. On the other hand, postal codes for villages, towns and other cities are composed of the provincial code and, again, the three succeeding zeros.
Belgium – Postal codes in Belgium are only up to four digits, of which the last is almost always zero. The first of four digits usually indicates the province, while the rest is assigned at random. The country uses numeric codes.
Cyprus – Cyprus postal codes are composed of four digits and no letters. Cyprus do not follow a postal code syntax, thus the numbers are generally assigned at random.
Mexico – Mexico uses a postal code of five digits. No letters.
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