Addresses in South Korea are used to identify specific locations within the country. South Korea has replaced its land lot-based address system with one based on street names. The switching of the address system is to make it easier for foreigners as well as Koreans to find their destinations. The current official system, the Road Name Address system rolled out on July 29, 2011, uses street names and building numbers, and is similar to the systems used by the United States, Canada, and Europe. The previous system was the land-lot based address, which is also used in Japan and North Korea, but not within the Mandarin-speaking world. Although still commonly used, it has been officially decommissioned since December 31, 2013.