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Localization and internationalization - Amazon Location Service

Localization and internationalization

Localization (L10n) and Internationalization (I18n) are key processes in adapting software, content, or applications for different languages, regions, and views. Here's an overview in the context of specific factors:

Filter Type Geocode Reverse Geocode Autocomplete Get Place Search Text Search Nearby Suggest
Language Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes
Political View Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes
Time Zone Yes Yes No N/A Yes Yes Yes
Phonemes No No No N/A Yes Yes Yes
Address Translations Yes No No N/A No No No
Address Names Mode Yes Yes No Yes No No No
Language

The feature allows you to select a preferred response language from BCP47-compliant codes. It detects the query language based on name variants and uses the preferred language for unmatched tokens and ambiguous cases. If no requested language, Places API provides results in the official country language, but it prioritizes the regional language in regions where it differs.

As a fallback strategy, Places APIs return addresses in the default language if some address elements are unavailable in the requested language.

Political view

Places APIs allow you to adapt results to reflect local political sensitivities or guidelines of the local government. By default, Places APIs show an international perspective on disputed political boundaries.

  • AR: Argentina's view on the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and Tierra Del Fuego, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands.

  • EG: Egypt's view on Bir Tawil.

  • IN: India's view on Gilgit-Baltistan.

  • KE: Kenya's view on the Ilemi Triangle.

  • MA: Morocco's view on Western Sahara.

  • RU: Russia's view on Crimea.

  • SD: Sudan's view on the Halaib Triangle.

  • RS: Serbia's view on Kosovo, Vukovar, and Sarengrad Islands.

  • SR: Suriname's view on the Courantyne Headwaters and Lawa Headwaters.

  • SY: Syria's view on the Golan Heights.

  • TR: Turkey's view on Cyprus and Northern Cyprus.

  • TZ: Tanzania's view on Lake Malawi.

  • UY: Uruguay's view on Rincon de Artigas.

  • VN: Vietnam's view on the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands.

Time zone

The feature provides additional time zone information. This includes time zone names and UTC offsets.

Phonemes

The feature provides additional phoneme information on how to pronounce the various components of the address or place.

Address translations

All name translations and alternative names for the requested address fields in all available languages. Specify which components to translate using the AddressTranslations request parameter. Valid values are District, Locality, Region, and SubRegion.

Address names mode

Specifies how address names are returned. If not set, the service returns normalized (official) names by default. When set to Matched, address names in the response are based on the input query rather than official names. When set to Administrative, the service returns the official administrative names for address components. Administrative currently applies only to addresses in the United States.