I’ve been looking into postal code systems lately, and I’m surprised by how differently they’re structured around the world. Some countries seem to have incredibly specific codes (like down to a building), while others are much broader. There doesn’t seem to be any global standard, which is kind of fascinating—and frustrating.
I'm mostly just trying to understand the logic behind these differences. Is it historical? Based on population density? Something else entirely?
I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s worked with international postal code data, whether for mapping, address validation, or something more creative. Are there reliable datasets out there that actually account for these differences in a useful way?
Curious what you all think. I feel like I’m only scratching the surface here.
Thanks!
