MAIL

Mail is a system for sending messages and physical items between individuals and organizations. It encompasses traditional postal services as well as electronic messaging. While the term can refer to several modes of delivery, its core function is to bridge distance through documented, traceable exchanges, whether in the form of letters and parcels or digital communications.

Physical mail consists of letters, parcels, and other items carried by national and private carriers. The process typically begins with accepting mail at a post office or drop point, followed by sorting, routing, and transport, and ending with delivery to the recipient. Addresses follow country-specific formats and usually include the recipient’s name, street address, city, postal code, and country. Postage is paid through stamps, meters, or electronic payments, and services may include tracking and insurance for added security and accountability.

Electronic mail, or email, is the transmission of messages over computer networks. It relies on client software and mail servers, using protocols such as SMTP for sending and POP3 or IMAP for retrieval. Email addresses are structured as local parts at a domain, and message routing depends on domain name systems and mail transfer agents. Security considerations include spam, phishing, and the encryption of data in transit (TLS) and, for sensitive content, end-to-end encryption (S/MIME, PGP).

In addition to communications, mail services support parcel and courier delivery, boasting tracking, delivery confirmations, and insurance. International mail operates across borders under national postal systems and international agreements, coordinated by bodies such as the Universal Postal Union. The rise of digital communication has influenced mail volumes, while e-commerce and logistics continue to expand its modern role.