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Systematics of Switzerland's postal zip codes

Postal zip codes were introduced in Switzerland in the early 1960's. The systematics behind the codes follows the distribution strategy that was then based on railway lines and postal bus lines. Typically Swiss: neither the federal capital Bern nor the economic center Zurich do have the prestigious code 1000, the numbering scheme is oriented geographically starting in the southwest and ending in the northeast. Districts of major cities do have their own zip codes, while smaller towns and villages have a single code. All Swiss zip codes have 4 digits. For international mail, a CH should precede the zip code.
See also: What is the origin of the abbreviation CH?

Today all letters and parcels are sent to a few fully automated distribution centers where postal codes are scanned to sort the letters and parcels. Sorting by hand is reduced to a very low percentage of incorrectly addressed pieces.

The following tables show the systematic of Swiss postal zip codes by region. Major cities with own zip codes for city districts appear in bold print.

Region 1: Lake Geneva and lower Rhone valley (French speaking)

Region 2: Jura region (French speaking)

Region 3: Bern, upper Rhone valley (German speaking)

The German speaking part of canton Bern and the German speaking upper Rhone valley are connected by the Lötschberg railway main line. From a logistic point of view (amount of letters and parcels and way they have to be transported), grouping them together makes more sense than the political grouping (Rhone valley = canton Valais).

Region 4: Basel / northwestern Switzerland (German speaking)

Region 5: Aargau (German speaking)

Region 6: Gotthard (German / Italian speaking)

Central Switzerland (German speaking) and Southern Switzerland (Italian speaking) are connected by the famous Gotthard railway main line. From a logistic point of view, grouping them together makes more sense than one might think at a first glance.

Region 7: Southeastern Switzerland (German/Rumantsch/Italian)

Region 8: Zurich metropolitan area (German speaking)

Region 9: Eastern Switzerland (German speaking)

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