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| - | | + | === An address will start with, or at least include, a building number. |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | === When there is a building number, it will be all-numeric. |
| - | 4-5 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4BX | + | Counterexample: |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | - 4-5 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4BX |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | === No buildings are numbered zero === |
| - | | + | Counterexample: |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | === Well, at the very least no buildings have negative numbers |
| - | | + | Guy Chisholm provided this counterexample: |
| - | | + | |
| - | | + | === We can put those funny numbers into the building name field, as no buildings have both a name and a funny number |
| + | Counterexample: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === When there' | ||
| + | Counterexample: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === A building number will only be used once per street | ||
| * The difference between 50 Ammanford Road, Tycroes, Ammanford, SA18 3QJ and 50 Ammanford Road, Llandybie, Ammanford, SA18 3YF is about 4 miles ([[https:// | * The difference between 50 Ammanford Road, Tycroes, Ammanford, SA18 3QJ and 50 Ammanford Road, Llandybie, Ammanford, SA18 3YF is about 4 miles ([[https:// | ||
| - | * **When there' | + | |
| - | | + | === When there' |
| + | Counterexample: | ||
| * You also get suite numbers, floor numbers, unit numbers, and organisations with numbers in their names. | * You also get suite numbers, floor numbers, unit numbers, and organisations with numbers in their names. | ||
| * Adrien Piérard contributes an address from Japan with fifteen digits in six separate numbers (five if you count the zip code as a single number). The format is: 980-0804 (zip code), Miyagi-ken (prefecture) Sendai-shi (city) Aoba-ku (ward) Kokubuncho (district) 4-10-20 (sub-district-number block-number lot-number) Sendai (building name) 401 (flat number). | * Adrien Piérard contributes an address from Japan with fifteen digits in six separate numbers (five if you count the zip code as a single number). The format is: 980-0804 (zip code), Miyagi-ken (prefecture) Sendai-shi (city) Aoba-ku (ward) Kokubuncho (district) 4-10-20 (sub-district-number block-number lot-number) Sendai (building name) 401 (flat number). | ||
| - | * **OK, the first line starting with a number then** | + | |
| - | | + | === OK, the first line starting with a number then === |
| - | | + | Counterexample: |
| + | |||
| + | === A building will only have one number | ||
| * Benton Lam offers this address from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - it has both a number on its road (14) and in its group of buildings (3): 15/F, Cityplaza 3, 14 TaiKoo Wan Road, Island East, HKSAR | * Benton Lam offers this address from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - it has both a number on its road (14) and in its group of buildings (3): 15/F, Cityplaza 3, 14 TaiKoo Wan Road, Island East, HKSAR | ||
| - | * **The number of buildings is the difference between the highest and lowest building numbers** | + | |
| + | === The number of buildings is the difference between the highest and lowest building numbers | ||
| * Tibor Schütz points out building numbers may be skipped - for example, on a street where even-numbered buildings are on one side, odd numbers on the other; multiple buildings sharing the same number (such as where a new house has been built) and buildings with more than one number. | * Tibor Schütz points out building numbers may be skipped - for example, on a street where even-numbered buildings are on one side, odd numbers on the other; multiple buildings sharing the same number (such as where a new house has been built) and buildings with more than one number. | ||
| Cyrille Chépélov and Sami Lehtinen tell me in Antibes, France and rural Finland some buildings are numbered based on the distance from the start of the road - such as Longroad 65 for the building 750m from the start of longroad. | Cyrille Chépélov and Sami Lehtinen tell me in Antibes, France and rural Finland some buildings are numbered based on the distance from the start of the road - such as Longroad 65 for the building 750m from the start of longroad. | ||
| - | * **If the addresses on the left of the road are even, the addresses on the right must be odd** | + | |
| + | === If the addresses on the left of the road are even, the addresses on the right must be odd === | ||
| * Cyrille Chépélov points out that in places, [[https:// | * Cyrille Chépélov points out that in places, [[https:// | ||
| - | * **A building name won't also be a number** | + | |
| + | === A building name won't also be a number | ||
| * Ben Tilly reports on Ten Post Office Sq, Boston MA 02109 USA - which is not, reportedly, the same as 10 Post Office Sq, Boston MA 02109 USA. | * Ben Tilly reports on Ten Post Office Sq, Boston MA 02109 USA - which is not, reportedly, the same as 10 Post Office Sq, Boston MA 02109 USA. | ||
| - | * **Well, at least you can omit leading zeros** | + | |
| + | === Well, at least you can omit leading zeros === | ||
| * Shaun Crampton reports living at 101 Alma St, Apartment 001, Palo Alto - where apartments 1 and 001 were on different floors. | * Shaun Crampton reports living at 101 Alma St, Apartment 001, Palo Alto - where apartments 1 and 001 were on different floors. | ||
| - | * **A street with a building A will not also have a building Alpha** | + | |
| + | === A street with a building A will not also have a building Alpha === | ||
| * Douglas Perreault reports he lived in a block within a condo association; | * Douglas Perreault reports he lived in a block within a condo association; | ||
| - | * **A street name won't include a number** | + | |
| + | === A street name won't include a number | ||
| * 8 Seven Gardens Burgh, WOODBRIDGE, IP13 6SU (pointed out by Raphael Mankin) | * 8 Seven Gardens Burgh, WOODBRIDGE, IP13 6SU (pointed out by Raphael Mankin) | ||
| - | * **OK, but numbers in street names are expressed as words, not digits** | + | |
| + | === OK, but numbers in street names are expressed as words, not digits | ||
| * Jan Jongboom reports streets can be numbered in the Netherlands - for example, Plein 1944 in Nijmegen. | * Jan Jongboom reports streets can be numbered in the Netherlands - for example, Plein 1944 in Nijmegen. | ||
| - | * **When there' | + | |
| + | === When there' | ||
| * Another from Jan Jongboom: Gondel 2695, Lelystad, means area Gondel, street 26, number 95 | * Another from Jan Jongboom: Gondel 2695, Lelystad, means area Gondel, street 26, number 95 | ||
| - | * **Street names always end in descriptors like ' | + | |
| + | === Street names always end in descriptors like ' | ||
| * They don't always - for example: Piccadilly, London, W1J 9PN | * They don't always - for example: Piccadilly, London, W1J 9PN | ||
| - | * **OK, but when they do have a descriptor there will only be one** | + | |
| + | === OK, but when they do have a descriptor there will only be one === | ||
| * A street name can be entirely descriptors: | * A street name can be entirely descriptors: | ||
| - | * **OK, but when they do have a descriptor it will be at the end** | + | |
| + | === OK, but when they do have a descriptor it will be at the end === | ||
| * French addresses use prefix descriptors like ' | * French addresses use prefix descriptors like ' | ||
| - | * **OK, but if there' | + | |
| + | === OK, but if there' | ||
| * Or the middle, like 3 Bishops Square Business Park, Hatfield, AL10 9NA | * Or the middle, like 3 Bishops Square Business Park, Hatfield, AL10 9NA | ||
| - | * **OK, but at the very least you wouldn' | + | |
| + | === OK, but at the very least you wouldn' | ||
| * [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
| - | * **Street numbers (and building numbers) don't contain fractions** | + | |
| + | === Street numbers (and building numbers) don't contain fractions | ||
| * Dan, Fred Kroon, David Underwood and Daniel Dickison submitted examples of fractional street numbers like [[https:// | * Dan, Fred Kroon, David Underwood and Daniel Dickison submitted examples of fractional street numbers like [[https:// | ||
| Gene Wirchenko reports a fractional building number: 1313 1/2 Railroad Ave Bellingham WA 98225-4729 | Gene Wirchenko reports a fractional building number: 1313 1/2 Railroad Ave Bellingham WA 98225-4729 | ||
| - | * **Street names don't recurr in the same city** | + | |
| + | === Street names don't recurr in the same city === | ||
| | | ||
| + | |||
| - High Street, London, W3 6LJ | - High Street, London, W3 6LJ | ||
| - High Street, London, W5 5DB | - High Street, London, W5 5DB | ||
| Line 91: | Line 116: | ||
| - High Street Colliers Wood, London, SW19 2AE | - High Street Colliers Wood, London, SW19 2AE | ||
| - High Street North, London, E6 2HJ | - High Street North, London, E6 2HJ | ||
| - | * **But street names don't recurr in close proximity** | + | |
| + | === But street names don't recurr in close proximity | ||
| * Julian Fleischer provides an example from Bocholt in Germany showing several roads in close proximity all called [[https:// | * Julian Fleischer provides an example from Bocholt in Germany showing several roads in close proximity all called [[https:// | ||
| - | * **An address will be comprised of road names** | + | |
| + | === An address will be comprised of road names === | ||
| * Kirk Kerekes spent several years using an address of the form "2 mi N then 3 mi W of Jennings, OK 74038" which regularly got successful deliveries. Mike Riley used to mail the Very Large Array radio telescope at "50 miles (80 km) West of Socorro, New Mexico, USA" | * Kirk Kerekes spent several years using an address of the form "2 mi N then 3 mi W of Jennings, OK 74038" which regularly got successful deliveries. Mike Riley used to mail the Very Large Array radio telescope at "50 miles (80 km) West of Socorro, New Mexico, USA" | ||
| * Sam pointed me to [[http:// | * Sam pointed me to [[http:// | ||
| Line 99: | Line 126: | ||
| * Paul Puschmann and Tibor Schütz pointed out the city of [[http:// | * Paul Puschmann and Tibor Schütz pointed out the city of [[http:// | ||
| Leoni Lubbinge gives an example of a South African address: Part 84, Strydfontein 306 JR, Pretoria which means the 84th plot of the farm Strydfontein 306 JR. | Leoni Lubbinge gives an example of a South African address: Part 84, Strydfontein 306 JR, Pretoria which means the 84th plot of the farm Strydfontein 306 JR. | ||
| - | * **A road will have a name** | + | |
| + | === A road will have a name === | ||
| * Plenty of roads like driveways, onramps and the aisles of carparks don't have names. Some roads in Japan also don't have names, as [[https:// | * Plenty of roads like driveways, onramps and the aisles of carparks don't have names. Some roads in Japan also don't have names, as [[https:// | ||
| Peter Kenway points out in America some homes are addressed as Rural Routes, where numbers are allocated to boxes on a route covering multiple roads. For example: Box 1234, R.R. 1, Winthrop, ME 04364. | Peter Kenway points out in America some homes are addressed as Rural Routes, where numbers are allocated to boxes on a route covering multiple roads. For example: Box 1234, R.R. 1, Winthrop, ME 04364. | ||
| - | * **A road will only have one name** | + | |
| + | === A road will only have one name === | ||
| * Many different roads, from Goswell Road in London to Regent Road in Edinburgh, make up the 410 mile [[https:// | * Many different roads, from Goswell Road in London to Regent Road in Edinburgh, make up the 410 mile [[https:// | ||
| Roads may also be named in multiple languages. For example, in Ireland roads may be named in both English and Irish | Roads may also be named in multiple languages. For example, in Ireland roads may be named in both English and Irish | ||
| - | * **Addresses will only have one street** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will only have one street | ||
| * The Royal Mail have what they call a ' | * The Royal Mail have what they call a ' | ||
| Another counterexample: | Another counterexample: | ||
| - | * **Addresses will have a street** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will have a street | ||
| * The Royal Mail will deliver to certain premises by name, such as farms and cottages. Example: Oakland, Fairseat, Sevenoaks, TN15 7LT, United Kingdom (Fairseat is the town - this is actually on Vigo Road. [[https:// | * The Royal Mail will deliver to certain premises by name, such as farms and cottages. Example: Oakland, Fairseat, Sevenoaks, TN15 7LT, United Kingdom (Fairseat is the town - this is actually on Vigo Road. [[https:// | ||
| - | * **An address will include a state** in the US sense. | + | |
| + | === An address will include a state (in the US sense.) === | ||
| Counterexample: | Counterexample: | ||
| - | * **Addresses will have something other than the organisation and city name.** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will have something other than the organisation and city name. === | ||
| * Large recipients of mail are sometimes addressed by organisation alone - for example: Electoral Reform Society Ltd, London, N1 1RS, United Kingdom | * Large recipients of mail are sometimes addressed by organisation alone - for example: Electoral Reform Society Ltd, London, N1 1RS, United Kingdom | ||
| - | * **An address will have a county** | + | |
| + | === An address will have a county | ||
| * Iain Parris and Naath both pointed out that, while many websites ask users for a county, not all countries use them in addressing. For example, [[https:// | * Iain Parris and Naath both pointed out that, while many websites ask users for a county, not all countries use them in addressing. For example, [[https:// | ||
| * Yves Daoust reports that in Belgium an address only requires a street, postcode and city; example: Boulevard Frère Orban, 27, 4000 Liège. Erik Engheim reports that in Norway Oslo is a By (city), Tettsted (urban area), Kommune (municipality) and Fylke (county) but it usually only appears once in a written address. | * Yves Daoust reports that in Belgium an address only requires a street, postcode and city; example: Boulevard Frère Orban, 27, 4000 Liège. Erik Engheim reports that in Norway Oslo is a By (city), Tettsted (urban area), Kommune (municipality) and Fylke (county) but it usually only appears once in a written address. | ||
| - | * **An address require both a city and a country** | + | |
| + | === An address require both a city and a country | ||
| * jzwinck points out Singapore is a city-state, leading to addresses like Singapore, Singapore - or even Singapore, Singapore, Singapore if you demand a city, county and country. | * jzwinck points out Singapore is a city-state, leading to addresses like Singapore, Singapore - or even Singapore, Singapore, Singapore if you demand a city, county and country. | ||
| - | * **You can't have two towns cities with the same name in the same country** | + | |
| + | === You can't have two towns cities with the same name in the same country | ||
| * Sure you can - for example the UK has [[https:// | * Sure you can - for example the UK has [[https:// | ||
| - | | + | * Jan Jongboom reports from the Netherlands, |
| - | | + | |
| + | === OK, but those cities won't have duplicate street names === | ||
| * 10 High Street, Newport, PO30 1SS | * 10 High Street, Newport, PO30 1SS | ||
| * 10 High Street, Newport, NP20 1FQ | * 10 High Street, Newport, NP20 1FQ | ||
| * 10 High Street, Newport, TF10 7AN | * 10 High Street, Newport, TF10 7AN | ||
| - | * **An address will have a postcode** | + | |
| + | === An address will have a postcode | ||
| * Richard Fletcher, Lee Hosty, Paul O' | * Richard Fletcher, Lee Hosty, Paul O' | ||
| * Jessica Enders points out [[http:// | * Jessica Enders points out [[http:// | ||
| - | * **The user will know their postal code/zip code.** | + | |
| + | === The user will know their postal code/zip code. === | ||
| * Most users will, of course, but I've seen incorrect postcodes on corporate letterheads! Misreading handwritten postcodes seems like a common one. | * Most users will, of course, but I've seen incorrect postcodes on corporate letterheads! Misreading handwritten postcodes seems like a common one. | ||
| - | * **A single postcode will be larger than a single building** | + | |
| + | === A single postcode will be larger than a single building | ||
| * Although zip codes in the US usually cover very large areas, Anthony Elizondo points out some buildings have their own zip codes - like the Empire State Building (10118) | * Although zip codes in the US usually cover very large areas, Anthony Elizondo points out some buildings have their own zip codes - like the Empire State Building (10118) | ||
| In the UK, alphanumeric postcodes are typically much more precise than US zip codes. | In the UK, alphanumeric postcodes are typically much more precise than US zip codes. | ||
| - | * **OK, but you don't get multiple postcodes per building** | + | |
| + | === OK, but you don't get multiple postcodes per building | ||
| * Graham Lee points out DVLA Swansea (that' | * Graham Lee points out DVLA Swansea (that' | ||
| Malcolm Gilbert points out this example, with five postcodes for five departments: | Malcolm Gilbert points out this example, with five postcodes for five departments: | ||
| Line 143: | Line 184: | ||
| - Enfield Southgate, London Borough of Enfield, Civic Centre, Silver Street, ENFIELD, EN1 3ZW | - Enfield Southgate, London Borough of Enfield, Civic Centre, Silver Street, ENFIELD, EN1 3ZW | ||
| - But the Enfield council website contact page lists their postcode as EN1 3XY - which the Royal Mail think is a [[https:// | - But the Enfield council website contact page lists their postcode as EN1 3XY - which the Royal Mail think is a [[https:// | ||
| - | * **A single postcode will only cover a few tens of addresses / customers** | + | |
| + | === A single postcode will only cover a few tens of addresses / customers | ||
| * Mostly this is reasonable in the UK, but there are certain exceptions. For example CV4 7AL is the postcode of the University of Warwick - one postcode for 6,000 students living on campus, and academics/ | * Mostly this is reasonable in the UK, but there are certain exceptions. For example CV4 7AL is the postcode of the University of Warwick - one postcode for 6,000 students living on campus, and academics/ | ||
| * Also, if your customers get things delivered to them when they' | * Also, if your customers get things delivered to them when they' | ||
| Some addresses correspond to ' | Some addresses correspond to ' | ||
| * Victor Nicollet contributes the example of French postcode 75015, representing the XVth arrondissement of Paris, which covers over 230,000 people. | * Victor Nicollet contributes the example of French postcode 75015, representing the XVth arrondissement of Paris, which covers over 230,000 people. | ||
| - | * **A zip code corresponds to a single city** | + | |
| + | === A zip code corresponds to a single city === | ||
| * Mike Cohen reports zip code 33334 covers 3 cities: Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, and Fort Lauderdale, all in Florida. | * Mike Cohen reports zip code 33334 covers 3 cities: Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, and Fort Lauderdale, all in Florida. | ||
| - | * **Zip codes don't start with a zero** | + | |
| + | === Zip codes don't start with a zero === | ||
| * Some Brazilian zip codes do according to speeder, as do [[https:// | * Some Brazilian zip codes do according to speeder, as do [[https:// | ||
| * Antti Vikman and Johan Myréen tell me all postcodes in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, all start with two zeroes. Some special codes even start with four zeroes (00002 HELSINKI). Andrew Jones reports the initial digits of French postcodes are the départements*, | * Antti Vikman and Johan Myréen tell me all postcodes in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, all start with two zeroes. Some special codes even start with four zeroes (00002 HELSINKI). Andrew Jones reports the initial digits of French postcodes are the départements*, | ||
| - Except Corsica - Cyrille Chépélov reports it's split into départements 2A and 2B, but the Post Office kept the former single-number 20 (Ajaccio, 20000; Bastia, 20200) | - Except Corsica - Cyrille Chépélov reports it's split into départements 2A and 2B, but the Post Office kept the former single-number 20 (Ajaccio, 20000; Bastia, 20200) | ||
| - | * **Addresses will have a reasonable number of characters - less than 100, say.** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will have a reasonable number of characters - less than 100, say. === | ||
| * Not when organisation and department names can be included in addresses! For example: Department For Environment Food & Rural Affairs (D E F R A), State Veterinary Service, Animal Health Office, Hadrian House, Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, CA1 2TB, United Kingdom | * Not when organisation and department names can be included in addresses! For example: Department For Environment Food & Rural Affairs (D E F R A), State Veterinary Service, Animal Health Office, Hadrian House, Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, CA1 2TB, United Kingdom | ||
| * Another example: The Gynaecology Cancer Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, | * Another example: The Gynaecology Cancer Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, | ||
| - | * **But street names will be reasonably short - certainly less than 50 characters** | + | |
| + | === But street names will be reasonably short - certainly less than 50 characters | ||
| * Susanne Schmidt provides the longest street name in Germany: Bischöflich-Geistlicher-Rat-Josef-Zinnbauer-Straße in 84130 Dingolfing, Bavaria | * Susanne Schmidt provides the longest street name in Germany: Bischöflich-Geistlicher-Rat-Josef-Zinnbauer-Straße in 84130 Dingolfing, Bavaria | ||
| [[http:// | [[http:// | ||
| - | * **Five lines and country will cover all cases.** | + | |
| + | === Five lines and country will cover all cases. | ||
| * You'll need 8 lines and country to deliver to: GB Technical Services, Unit W7a, Warwick House, 18 Forge Lane, Minworth Industrial Park, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1AH, United Kingdom | * You'll need 8 lines and country to deliver to: GB Technical Services, Unit W7a, Warwick House, 18 Forge Lane, Minworth Industrial Park, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1AH, United Kingdom | ||
| - | * **Addresses don't contain commas** (so I can replace newlines with commas then commas with newlines and get back to where I was) | + | |
| + | === Addresses don't contain commas** (so I can replace newlines with commas then commas with newlines and get back to where I was) | ||
| Addresses can contain organisation names, and organisation names can contain commas. For example: Society of College, National & University Libraries, 102 Euston Street, London, NW1 2HA | Addresses can contain organisation names, and organisation names can contain commas. For example: Society of College, National & University Libraries, 102 Euston Street, London, NW1 2HA | ||
| - | * **But they don't contain commas, brackets, apostrophes, | + | |
| + | === But they don't contain commas, brackets, apostrophes, | ||
| * St. Judes & St. Pauls C of E (Va) Primary School, 10 Kingsbury Road, London, N1 4AZ | * St. Judes & St. Pauls C of E (Va) Primary School, 10 Kingsbury Road, London, N1 4AZ | ||
| * 1 Acre View, [[https:// | * 1 Acre View, [[https:// | ||
| Line 173: | Line 222: | ||
| * Signposts for Station Road East, Grantham, NG31 6HX render it as [[https:// | * Signposts for Station Road East, Grantham, NG31 6HX render it as [[https:// | ||
| * More generally, addresses can contain organisation names, and organisations can have names like Yahoo! with an exclamation mark. Legislation on company [[http:// | * More generally, addresses can contain organisation names, and organisations can have names like Yahoo! with an exclamation mark. Legislation on company [[http:// | ||
| - | * **An address will exist in the country' | + | |
| + | === An address will exist in the country' | ||
| * Simon Westcott points out databases are only released periodically, | * Simon Westcott points out databases are only released periodically, | ||
| - | * **An address in the country' | + | |
| + | === An address in the country' | ||
| * Royal Mail and Ordnance Survey data can contain demolished buildings, and buildings currently under construction. The Royal Mail even have a database product called [[http:// | * Royal Mail and Ordnance Survey data can contain demolished buildings, and buildings currently under construction. The Royal Mail even have a database product called [[http:// | ||
| - | * **The address from the postal service database is sufficient to deliver** | + | |
| + | === The address from the postal service database is sufficient to deliver | ||
| * Christopher Allen points out that people in new blocks of flats and houseboats in boatyards sometimes need to prefix their official address with a boat name or flat number. | * Christopher Allen points out that people in new blocks of flats and houseboats in boatyards sometimes need to prefix their official address with a boat name or flat number. | ||
| - | * **Every address can be expressed in a way that will pass all validators** | + | |
| + | === Every address can be expressed in a way that will pass all validators | ||
| * XaspR8d must have been exasperated by the fact his road is variously known as "S Hwy X", " | * XaspR8d must have been exasperated by the fact his road is variously known as "S Hwy X", " | ||
| * Jon Peterson lives in an apartment community that is divided into Quail Ridge Cir, Quail Ridge East Lane and Quail Ridge West Lane. Only the USPS and the city electric utility seem to recognize the " | * Jon Peterson lives in an apartment community that is divided into Quail Ridge Cir, Quail Ridge East Lane and Quail Ridge West Lane. Only the USPS and the city electric utility seem to recognize the " | ||
| Line 190: | Line 243: | ||
| - Workhouse Lane (a historical name of the road) | - Workhouse Lane (a historical name of the road) | ||
| - Denham Lane (name of the road continuation) | - Denham Lane (name of the road continuation) | ||
| - | * **Customers will have a fixed address with a fixed location** | + | |
| + | === Customers will have a fixed address with a fixed location | ||
| * A developer just a few seats from me recently brought a [[https:// | * A developer just a few seats from me recently brought a [[https:// | ||
| * fr0sty points out the [[http:// | * fr0sty points out the [[http:// | ||
| Sharon Freas has dealt with systems supporting " | Sharon Freas has dealt with systems supporting " | ||
| - | * **But written addresses don't change** | + | |
| + | === But written addresses don't change | ||
| * Addresses can move between counties and administrative districts. For example, I used to live in [[https:// | * Addresses can move between counties and administrative districts. For example, I used to live in [[https:// | ||
| * Susanne Schmidt points out cities, streets and entire countries were renamed in eastern europe - for example, when Lenin fell out of favour as a street name. Addresses can be in disputed territories, | * Susanne Schmidt points out cities, streets and entire countries were renamed in eastern europe - for example, when Lenin fell out of favour as a street name. Addresses can be in disputed territories, | ||
| * Douglas Perreault reports owning a condo that changed address three times; first it was 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Lutz, FL 33549; then a new post office was built and it became 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Tampa, FL 33612; then the ZIP Code changed giving 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Tampa, FL 33613; then the condo association changed to a less error-prone block naming scheme, giving 14410 Hanging Moss Circle, #101, Tampa, FL 33613. | * Douglas Perreault reports owning a condo that changed address three times; first it was 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Lutz, FL 33549; then a new post office was built and it became 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Tampa, FL 33612; then the ZIP Code changed giving 14100 N 46th St., Alpha 39, Tampa, FL 33613; then the condo association changed to a less error-prone block naming scheme, giving 14410 Hanging Moss Circle, #101, Tampa, FL 33613. | ||
| - | * **Postal, traditional and administrative counties all line up, right?** | + | |
| + | === Postal, traditional and administrative counties all line up, right? | ||
| * As you can learn from [[https:// | * As you can learn from [[https:// | ||
| - | * **Military addresses are just like regular addresses** | + | |
| + | === Military addresses are just like regular addresses | ||
| * Peter Bailey points out several countries have special [[https:// | * Peter Bailey points out several countries have special [[https:// | ||
| Ed Schiebel reports the postcodes allocated to Israeli army units roam around with the units. | Ed Schiebel reports the postcodes allocated to Israeli army units roam around with the units. | ||
| - | * **An address corresponds to the recipient' | + | |
| + | === An address corresponds to the recipient' | ||
| * Addresses such as [[https:// | * Addresses such as [[https:// | ||
| * Tibor Schütz points out many post offices have novelty handling of mail to Santa Claus, even going as far as to allocate special postcodes. For example, in Germany: Santa Claus Nordpolen, Julemandes Postkontor, DK-3900 Nuuk; in Canada: Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0; in the UK: Father Christmas, Santa' | * Tibor Schütz points out many post offices have novelty handling of mail to Santa Claus, even going as far as to allocate special postcodes. For example, in Germany: Santa Claus Nordpolen, Julemandes Postkontor, DK-3900 Nuuk; in Canada: Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0; in the UK: Father Christmas, Santa' | ||
| - | * **An address can be expressed with a single country** | + | |
| + | === An address can be expressed with a single country | ||
| * Matthieu Valleton got in touch to point out his address on Kerguelen Island ([[http:// | * Matthieu Valleton got in touch to point out his address on Kerguelen Island ([[http:// | ||
| - | * **Overseas territories aren't (or are) always included in the postal code system** | + | |
| + | === Overseas territories aren't (or are) always included in the postal code system | ||
| * Monty points out that uncommon political hierarchies can lead to uncommon postal addresses. For example, the entire of the Falkland Islands shares postal code FIQQ 1ZZ. On the other hand, the British Virgin Islands have their own postal code system. | * Monty points out that uncommon political hierarchies can lead to uncommon postal addresses. For example, the entire of the Falkland Islands shares postal code FIQQ 1ZZ. On the other hand, the British Virgin Islands have their own postal code system. | ||
| - | * **All addresses with a box number are PO Boxes** | + | |
| + | === All addresses with a box number are PO Boxes === | ||
| * David Kuder pointed me to a 1990 article: Risks Digest correspondent [[http:// | * David Kuder pointed me to a 1990 article: Risks Digest correspondent [[http:// | ||
| - | * **Addresses will be written in ASCII or at least Latin characters** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will be written in ASCII or at least Latin characters | ||
| * Alastair Houghton reminds us the Greek tax office' | * Alastair Houghton reminds us the Greek tax office' | ||
| * Wikipedia has [[https:// | * Wikipedia has [[https:// | ||
| [[https:// | [[https:// | ||
| - | * **Addresses will be written in the character set of the destination country** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will be written in the character set of the destination country | ||
| * Alastair Houghton points out addresses may be written in the character set of the source country. | * Alastair Houghton points out addresses may be written in the character set of the source country. | ||
| - | * **But people at least use the same character set for the entire address?** | + | |
| + | === But people at least use the same character set for the entire address? | ||
| * International mail may specify the country (and possibly other details) in both the source and destination countries' | * International mail may specify the country (and possibly other details) in both the source and destination countries' | ||
| - | * **Addresses will be written from most to least specific** | + | |
| + | === Addresses will be written from most to least specific | ||
| * Alastair Houghton provided this example of a Japanese address: 〒100-8994 (zip code), 東京都 (Tokyo-to, i.e. Tokyo prefecture or state) 中央区 (Chuo-ku, i.e. Chuo Ward) 八重洲一丁目 (Yaesu 1-chome, i.e. Yaesu district 1st subdistrict) 5番3号 (block 5 lot 3), 東京中央郵便局 (Tokyo Central Post Office). Thanks to Norman Diamond for telling me which parts of the address are which! | * Alastair Houghton provided this example of a Japanese address: 〒100-8994 (zip code), 東京都 (Tokyo-to, i.e. Tokyo prefecture or state) 中央区 (Chuo-ku, i.e. Chuo Ward) 八重洲一丁目 (Yaesu 1-chome, i.e. Yaesu district 1st subdistrict) 5番3号 (block 5 lot 3), 東京中央郵便局 (Tokyo Central Post Office). Thanks to Norman Diamond for telling me which parts of the address are which! | ||
| - | * **OK, but they' | + | |
| + | === OK, but they' | ||
| * Erik Engheim and Jan Jongboom report in Norway and the Netherlands the building number (within street) comes after the street name, but before the town name. | * Erik Engheim and Jan Jongboom report in Norway and the Netherlands the building number (within street) comes after the street name, but before the town name. | ||
| * Douglas Perreault reports units within American condo associations may be written below the street name. For example: 14100 (position of condo association on street) N 46th St. (street name), Alpha (block within condo association) 39 (unit within block), Lutz (city), FL (state) 33549 (zip). Likewise, when mailing an individual at a company some people put the person' | * Douglas Perreault reports units within American condo associations may be written below the street name. For example: 14100 (position of condo association on street) N 46th St. (street name), Alpha (block within condo association) 39 (unit within block), Lutz (city), FL (state) 33549 (zip). Likewise, when mailing an individual at a company some people put the person' | ||
| - | * **OK, but at least the same address will always be written in the same order** | + | |
| + | === OK, but at least the same address will always be written in the same order === | ||
| * György Farkas tells me Hungarian addresses can be written in different orders depending on how many lines are available. If you write the address on one line, it's expressed from less specific to more specific: | * György Farkas tells me Hungarian addresses can be written in different orders depending on how many lines are available. If you write the address on one line, it's expressed from less specific to more specific: | ||
| * {zip} {town}, {street} {buildingNr}. | * {zip} {town}, {street} {buildingNr}. | ||
| Line 237: | Line 304: | ||
| * {country} | * {country} | ||
| * Gene Wirchenko tells me in some parts of Canada, suite 123 in building 456 on TheStreet would be written: 123 456 TheStreet whereas in other parts the common formatting is 456 TheStreet #123 | * Gene Wirchenko tells me in some parts of Canada, suite 123 in building 456 on TheStreet would be written: 123 456 TheStreet whereas in other parts the common formatting is 456 TheStreet #123 | ||
| - | * **Building numbers appear before street names** | + | |
| + | === Building numbers appear before street names === | ||
| * In some countries this is reversed - such as in the Netherlands. For example, Plein 1944 85 D (where Plein 1944 identifies the street, 85 the building and D the flat/ | * In some countries this is reversed - such as in the Netherlands. For example, Plein 1944 85 D (where Plein 1944 identifies the street, 85 the building and D the flat/ | ||
| Sami Lehtinen provides this example from Finland: Kornetintie 6 A II krs (Kornetintie is the street name, 6 the building number, A the staircase, II krs indicates the second floor. | Sami Lehtinen provides this example from Finland: Kornetintie 6 A II krs (Kornetintie is the street name, 6 the building number, A the staircase, II krs indicates the second floor. | ||
| - | * **Flat names/ | + | |
| + | === Flat names/ | ||
| * Toni Cornelissen points out addresses in the The Netherlands, | * Toni Cornelissen points out addresses in the The Netherlands, | ||
| - | * **A building will be within a few hundred meters of a public road** | + | |
| + | === A building will be within a few hundred meters of a public road === | ||
| * Buildings like farms and country houses can be at the end of a private road or driveway several hundred meters long. | * Buildings like farms and country houses can be at the end of a private road or driveway several hundred meters long. | ||
| - | * **An address with a street name is always closer to that street than any other** | + | |
| + | === An address with a street name is always closer to that street than any other === | ||
| * Lots of examples of this. For example: The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB. [[https:// | * Lots of examples of this. For example: The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB. [[https:// | ||
| - | * **Real place names won't contain rude words** | + | |
| + | === Real place names won't contain rude words === | ||
| * It's not just Middlesex and Scunthorpe you have to check for; [[http:// | * It's not just Middlesex and Scunthorpe you have to check for; [[http:// | ||
| - | * **A customer will only want reminders mailed to single address** | + | |
| + | === A customer will only want reminders mailed to single address | ||
| * John Dye reports that many doctors' | * John Dye reports that many doctors' | ||
| - | * **Each person has exactly one address** | + | |
| + | === Each person has exactly one address | ||
| * Tibor Schütz points out people often have a different home and work address. | * Tibor Schütz points out people often have a different home and work address. | ||