Canadian Postal Codes

[l8nup]

Could anybody explain to me how the Canadian postal code system works? For instance what does the postal code L1A 3B5 indicate? Our Postal codes are only numeric.
When I was trying to locate an address on a map on the Internet I could not find it. The address given is Route 1 and the postal code L1A 3B5. Route 1 does not appear to be an actual street address. Any suggestions.

 

[Observer Walt]

In urban areas as a general rule a unique postal code refers to one side of one block of a street. As you move down the street and pass an intersection, the next block will have a different postal code. This can be modified so that larger buildings each have their own postal code, even if side by side on the block.

In rural areas each post office has a code, similar to the US. zip code. Rural routes will each have a postal code, I believe for the whole route. You will likely find that a rural address will have a street number and name, plus a rural route number, the name of the town, and the postal code.

You can usually look up postal codes online: http://www.canadapost.ca/

 

[cacruden]

It depends on how long the street is, it could have more than one postal code per street. Partial postal codes (left to right) identify the region (more detailed, the more of the postal code is used). The following map will help you understand better (I hope):

http://www.canadapost.ca/business/tools/pg/fsamaps/pdf/Canada.pdf

 

[CDL.TO]

l8nup,

What you refer to as "Route 1" is short for "rural route #1" or RR#1. As Observer Walt pointed out, it's not a location, it simply means that this house is on the route of mailman #1. It can also mean that mail is picked up by the person at the local post office or general store. The person would also have an actual street address, but like with a PO Box number, it doesn't have to be part of the mail delivery address. (Some forms will have separate sections for "street address" and "mailing address". This is why.)

Typing the postal code in to Google Maps, I see that L1A 3B5 is Port Hope. RR#1 tells me that the person lives in the rural area surrounding Port Hope.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Canadian Postal Codes(and USPS ZIP Plus 4)...

Everyone: Canadian postal codes are interesting in that they can literally just about pinpoint the destination of the mail sent. USPS ZIP Codes plus 4 can do this also to some extent-provided you know to use it. Mine as an example is 11749-1601 (Islandia,LI,NY). Canadian postal codes take a little getting used to but once you understand the system they are good to use.
LI MIKE