Colombia Postal Code

Colombia (CO) Geographical Metadata

South America

ISO Alpha-3: COL
Continent ISO: SA
FIPS Code: CO00
HASC Code: CO
Phone Code: +57
TLD: .co
Latitude: 3.9980000
Longitude: -73.2780000
Capital: Bogota
Capital TimeZone: America/Bogota
Language(s): Spanish
Language Code(s): es
Spoken Language(s): Spanish (official)
Area (KM²): 1138910.00
Currency ISO: COP
Currency Name: Peso
Currency Full Name: Colombian Peso
Local Currency Name: Peso
Currency Symbol: C
Post Code Denomination: Código Postal
Post Code Format: 999999
Post Code Regex: ^(d{6})$
Admin Regions: 2
Region Names: Department, Province

Colombia has 2 administrative regions, namely Department, Province.

We have on record 33 Department, 1036 Province.

There are a total of 24638 postal codes in Colombia.

Click on the Department in the postal code table below to browse the postal codes in Colombia.

Department Latitude Longitude
Amazonas -1.747214 -73.209136
Antioquia 5.044157 -75.332651
Arauca 7.090129 -70.758476
Archipiélago de San Andrés 13.344672 -81.378435
Atlántico 11.014342 -74.836067
Bogotá 4.701382 -74.049283
Bolívar 8.568593 -74.556581
Boyacá 4.970017 -73.378975
Caldas 5.608334 -75.453135
Caquetá 1.329040 -75.878812
Casanare 5.205569 -72.600515
Cauca 1.914067 -76.855520
Cesar 10.755249 -72.843845
Chocó 8.511058 -77.279306
Cundinamarca 4.376688 -74.669800
Córdoba 9.033340 -75.399940
Guainía 3.494542 -69.815812
Guaviare 1.957418 -72.655030
Huila 3.047760 -75.478930
La Guajira 11.161140 -72.587732
Magdalena 10.311712 -74.108138
Meta 4.560013 -71.278977
Nariño 1.494710 -77.060316
Norte de Santander 8.618620 -73.098540
Putumayo 1.190067 -76.972863
Quindío 6.750597 -76.026110
Risaralda 5.357810 -75.805320
Santander 6.162256 -73.521497
Sucre 9.723910 -75.536010
Tolima 3.393060 -75.935530
Valle del Cauca 4.674537 -75.780026
Vaupés 1.012074 -71.295959
Vichada 5.409589 -68.429321

Colombia Postal Code System

Colombia, a country of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has a robust postal system to connect its diverse regions, ranging from bustling urban centers like Bogotá to remote rural villages in the Andes and Amazon. Colombia’s postal code system, introduced in 2009, ensures efficient mail sorting and delivery across its 32 departments and capital district.

This article explores the structure, usage, and significance of Colombia’s postal code system, along with its role in supporting the nation’s growing economy and infrastructure.


Overview of Colombia’s Postal System

Colombia’s postal services are managed by 4-72, the national postal operator, alongside private courier companies. The postal system plays a critical role in facilitating communication, logistics, and e-commerce across the country.

Key Features of Colombia’s Postal System

  1. Six-Digit Postal Code System: Introduced to enhance the accuracy of mail delivery.
  2. Wide Geographic Coverage: Serves urban centers, rural towns, and remote regions.
  3. Global Integration: Enables international mail and parcel delivery through partnerships with global logistics networks.

Understanding Colombia’s Postal Code Structure

Colombia uses a six-digit postal code system, with each code uniquely identifying a specific location.

Structure of the Postal Code

  • First Two Digits: Represent the department (equivalent to a state or province).
  • Next Two Digits: Specify the municipality or town.
  • Last Two Digits: Identify the neighborhood or delivery zone.

Example of a Postal Code

110111 – Represents a specific area in Bogotá.


How to Format Addresses in Colombia

A properly formatted address in Colombia includes the recipient’s name, street and house number, neighborhood or building name, city, department, postal code, and the country name.

Type of Address Example
Urban Address Name: Juan Pérez
Street: Calle 26 #5-90
Neighborhood: Teusaquillo
City: Bogotá
Department: Cundinamarca
Postal Code: 110111
Country: Colombia
Rural Address Name: María Gómez
Village: San Antonio
Municipality: San Agustín
Department: Huila
Postal Code: 418060
Country: Colombia
P.O. Box Address Name: Carlos López
P.O. Box: 1234
City: Medellín
Postal Code: 050001
Country: Colombia

Regional Breakdown of Postal Codes

Colombia’s postal codes are categorized by departments, which are further divided into municipalities and zones.

Department Capital City Postal Code Range Notes
Bogotá (Capital District) Bogotá 110001–110999 Includes the central administrative hub and surrounding areas.
Antioquia Medellín 050001–059999 Economic hub and second-largest city in Colombia.
Valle del Cauca Cali 760001–769999 Known for its vibrant culture and industrial activity.
Atlántico Barranquilla 080001–089999 A major port city on the Caribbean coast.
Bolívar Cartagena 130001–139999 A historic city and popular tourist destination.
Santander Bucaramanga 680001–689999 A growing financial and commercial hub.
Cundinamarca Bogotá Surroundings 250001–259999 Covers the metropolitan areas surrounding Bogotá.
Magdalena Santa Marta 470001–479999 Coastal city near the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Huila Neiva 410001–419999 Known for coffee production and archaeological sites.

Significance of Colombia’s Postal Code System

The introduction of postal codes has greatly improved the efficiency and reliability of Colombia’s mail system:

  1. Efficient Mail Sorting: Enhances the speed and accuracy of mail and parcel delivery.
  2. E-Commerce Growth: Facilitates online shopping and logistics, particularly in urban areas.
  3. Urban and Rural Connectivity: Links remote rural areas to major urban centers.
  4. Government Services: Supports administrative tasks like census-taking and resource distribution.

Challenges in Colombia’s Postal System

While the postal system in Colombia has seen significant improvements, it faces a few challenges:

  1. Rural Accessibility: Delivering mail to remote areas can be difficult due to limited infrastructure.
  2. Public Awareness: Many residents are still unfamiliar with the importance of including postal codes in addresses.
  3. Economic Inequality: Disparities in access to postal services exist between urban and rural populations.

E-Commerce and Postal Services

The rapid growth of e-commerce in Colombia has placed increased demand on the postal system. Platforms like MercadoLibre, Linio, and global retailers like Amazon rely on efficient logistics to serve customers.

How the Postal System Supports E-Commerce

  1. Parcel Tracking: Provides real-time tracking for shipments.
  2. Home Delivery Services: Ensures secure and timely delivery to residential addresses.
  3. Global Logistics Partnerships: Collaborates with companies like DHL and FedEx for international deliveries.

Statistics About Colombia’s Postal System

  1. Population Served: Approximately 50 million people.
  2. Postal Code Coverage: Nationwide coverage with over 1,100 municipalities included.
  3. Number of Post Offices: Over 400 offices nationwide.
  4. Mail Volume: Millions of letters and parcels handled annually.

Future of Colombia’s Postal System

To address current challenges and improve efficiency, Colombia is focusing on modernizing its postal services:

  1. Digital Transformation: Introducing online tools for address verification, postal code lookup, and tracking.
  2. Infrastructure Development: Expanding delivery networks in underserved rural areas.
  3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating residents about the importance of postal codes in addressing.
  4. Sustainability Initiatives: Implementing eco-friendly logistics and delivery methods.

Conclusion

Colombia’s postal code system is a critical component of its communication and logistics infrastructure, connecting diverse regions and supporting its rapidly growing economy. With its structured six-digit codes, Colombia has streamlined mail and parcel delivery, fostering e-commerce growth and enhancing connectivity.

As Colombia continues to modernize its postal services, the system will play an even greater role in bridging regional divides, supporting businesses, and integrating the country further into the global economy.

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