piippakoodit

Piippakoodit, also known as Finnish postal codes or postinumerot, are numerical codes used in Finland to facilitate the sorting and delivery of mail. The system is managed by Posti, the Finnish postal service. These codes consist of five digits, with the first two digits indicating the region or municipality, and the last three digits specifying a more localized area within that region.

The piippakoodi system was introduced in Finland in 1950, replacing an earlier system of named postal districts. The adoption of a numerical coding system aimed to streamline postal operations, particularly with the increasing volume of mail. Over the years, the codes have been updated and refined to reflect changes in population distribution and postal infrastructure.

For instance, the initial digits of a piippakoodi can reveal whether the mail is destined for a major city, a rural area, or a specific island. The subsequent digits further pinpoint the delivery point, assisting postal workers in efficiently routing mail to its correct destination. Piippakoodit are crucial for both individuals and businesses when sending mail, packages, and for official address registration. They are also frequently used in online forms and databases for address validation and geographical data.