PEP Code

A PEP Code is a postal code used by the Cartadanian National Postal Service (Cartadanian: Serviço Postal Nacional de Cartadania) (SPNC; CCor) in a system it introduced in 1905. The term PEP is an acronym for Plano de endereço postal, the Postal Address Plan. The basic format consists of five digits. An extended PEP+ code was introduced in 1950 which includes the five digits of the PEP Code, followed by a hyphen and four additional digits that reference a more specific location.

The system also introduced a new format in 2000, known PEPr (pronounced pepper) for bases, embassies, and federal possessions. This format is completely different from the standard PEP as it is alphanumeric and follows an A#A or A## format (e.g., Elentia Naval Station in northern Alexandria now has PEPr code A3G). This variant was introduced to allow the federal government to quickly decipher the location of an entity in lieu of using software.

History

Early history and five-digit PEP Codes

The five-digit PEP Code system, introduced in 1950, revolutionized the way mail was delivered in Cartadania. Prior to its implementation, addressing houses was a haphazard process, with no consistent system in place. In Sierra, Verona's most populous city, residents used a rudimentary addressing system based on landmarks, such as the nearest church or store, which often led to confusion and misdelivery.

Recognizing the need for a standardized addressing system, the Cartadanian National Postal Service (SPNC) introduced the PEP Code. The system was initially met with skepticism but quickly gained widespread adoption as it made the delivery of mail more efficient and reliable.

The PEP Code system consists of a five-digit code, with the first two digits representing the state, followed by three additional digits that specify the specific locality. The system allowed the SPNC to sort and deliver mail with greater speed and accuracy, reducing the number of lost or misdelivered letters and packages.

PEP+

The extended PEP Code, also known as PEP+, was introduced in 1950 to provide a more specific location than the five-digit PEP Code. The PEP+ system was designed to provide greater accuracy and precision in identifying locations, especially in large cities with many streets and buildings.

The additional four digits in the PEP+ code refer to a more specific location within the region identified by the first five digits. This allows for more precise delivery of mail and other postal services, and also helps to streamline the sorting and processing of mail within the postal system.

The PEP+ system has been widely adopted throughout Cartadania and has become an essential part of the country's postal infrastructure. It has greatly improved the efficiency and reliability of postal services, and has helped to support the growth and development of the Cartadanian economy. Though the PEP Code system in general has been a very big help in Cartadania's infrastructure, older versions of the system were often cumbersome and inefficient, and could lead to delays and errors in the delivery of mail and other postal services.

Postal bar code

The Cartadanian National Postal Service (SPNC) introduced the use of postal barcodes in the 1980s to improve the efficiency of mail processing and delivery. The postal barcode system used by the SPNC is known as the Postal Alpha Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTALNET) and is used to encode the PEP Code as well as other information such as delivery point, routing information, and tracking numbers.

The POSTALNET system consists of a series of vertical bars and spaces that represent alphanumeric characters. The bars and spaces are read by optical scanners to quickly and accurately sort and route mail. The use of the POSTALNET system has greatly improved the speed and accuracy of mail processing, allowing for faster delivery times and reduced costs.

In addition to the POSTALNET system, the SPNC also uses the Advanced Postal Encoding (APE) system, which combines the PEP Code and tracking information into a single barcode. The APE system allows for even more efficient tracking and delivery of mail, as well as improved accuracy in sorting and routing.

PEPr

The introduction of the PEPr postal code system in Cartadania in 2000 marked a significant change in the way that federal possessions, bases, and embassies were addressed within the country. Prior to its introduction, these entities were subject to the same PEP Code system used for all other addresses, which was limited to a five-digit numerical code. The need for a more specific and easily decodable address system for these entities led to the creation of the PEPr system.

The PEPr system is completely different from the standard PEP Code system, as it uses an alphanumeric format with either an A#A or A## structure. This new system allows the federal government to quickly and easily identify the location of any entity with a PEPr code, without the need for specialized software or complex decoding processes. The introduction of the PEPr system has greatly streamlined the process of addressing federal possessions, bases, and embassies in Cartadania and has played a significant role in improving the efficiency of the country's postal system. The PEPr code can be decoded by breaking down the three digits as follows:

The first letter (first position; A#A or A##) indicated the region of the planet in which the entity exists. They are Region A for Cartadania's metropolitan states and territories, Region B for Sarpedon at-large, Region C for Levantia, Region D for Crona (including Solemia), Region E for Audonia, Region F for Alshar, Region G for Kiroborea, and Region H for Australis (including Lotoa). The first digit (second position; A#A or A##) indicates the subregion within that area. For example, A3# represents an entity within the state of Alexandria, while D4# is representative of an entity in Ceylonia. If the central digit is a zero, the place is a single place serving the entire subregion. The final character (third and final position; A#A or A##) represents the entity itself. For example A3G is representative of Naval Station Elentia, while D4H is the Cartadanian embassy in Ceylonia's capital city, Porto Alegre. The final digit is assigned arbitrarily in most cases, but in some instances has followed alphabetical order.

Structure and allocation

Scope and international mail

A sorting facility of SPNC in Bahia.

The PEP Code system is not only used for domestic mail within Cartadania but also for international mail originating from the country. The structure of the code allows for efficient and accurate delivery of mail, regardless of its destination. The first digit of the PEP Code designates the group of jurisdictions, which includes states, territories, and cities. This system ensures that mail is sorted and delivered to the correct region or city.

Furthermore, the allocation of PEP Codes takes into account the alphabetical order of states and regions. This means that neighboring regions and states are often grouped together, making it easier for postal workers to sort and deliver mail. This also allows for the efficient allocation of PEP Codes to new regions or states that may be added in the future.

The PEP Code system also includes PEPr codes for bases, embassies, and federal possessions, which further expands the scope of the system. This allows for the efficient delivery of mail to these locations and ensures that they are properly identified and located within the country.

Internationally, the PEP Code system is recognized by postal services in other countries, allowing for the efficient and accurate delivery of mail to and from Cartadania. This is especially important for businesses and individuals that rely on international mail for communication and commerce.

By geography

Primary state prefixes

PEP Codes are numbered with the first digit representing a certain group of jurisdictions, the second and third digits together representing a region in that group (or perhaps a large city) and the fourth and fifth digits representing a group of delivery addresses within that region. The main locality in a region (if applicable) often gets the first PEP Codes for that region; afterward, the numerical order often follows the alphabetical order.

PEP Code zones in Cartadania.

The first digit of the PEP Code is allocated as follows:

• 0 = Cambria (CA), São Andreas (SA), Triessa (TA)
• 1 = Acara (AC), Aleira (AE), Milan (MI), Providência (PV)
• 2 = Alahuela (AH/DF), Alexandria (AL), São Ricardo (SR)
• 3 = Santiago (SG), Verona (VA), Victoria (VI)
• 4 = Alta Roma (AR), Baixa Roma (BR), Catania (CT), Galiza (GA), Lipora (LI)
• 5 = Calaxara (CX), Navarra (NV), Vitrea (VT)
• 6 = Ferara (FE), Loumara (LM), Montecarlo (MC), Trentino (TR)
• 7 = Lombardia (LO), Toscana (TO)
• 8 = Aveiro (AV), Bahia (BA), Ciulaga (CI), Santa Elena (SE), Siena (SI)
• 9 = Espírito Santo (ES), Porta Bianca (PB), Santarém (SM), Solemias (SL)

Beginning in 2000, all excise possessions, all Embassies, and all foreign bases and military installations will move to PEPr and the 0 series for these areas will become inactive.

Division and reallocation of PEP codes

The allocation and reallocation of PEP Codes is an ongoing process that responds to changes in population and geography. As jurisdictions grow and expand, new codes are added to accommodate the increasing number of addresses. Conversely, as populations decline, codes may be consolidated or eliminated to prevent redundancy. In some cases, the reallocation of codes is necessary to reflect changes in political boundaries or to create a more logical and efficient system.

The allocation and reallocation of PEP Codes is overseen by the Cartadanian National Postal Service (SPNC), which works closely with local governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the system remains accurate and up-to-date. International mail is also a consideration in this process, as the allocation of PEP Codes must be consistent with international addressing standards to ensure that mail is delivered correctly and efficiently. Overall, the PEP Code system is a dynamic and responsive tool that enables the efficient processing and delivery of mail throughout Cartadania and beyond. It is worth noting that the SPNC does give each state and territory what is known as an "empty set", a group of reserved PEP codes that have no geographic boundary and exist for overflow purposes when a division is necessary.