Localization (L10n) vs. Internationalization (i18n)

As simple as that:

Internationalization can be thought of as the design and information technology practices that enable localization to take place. It adapts products for potential use all over the world, whereas
Localization allows products to be suitable for a specific place, or “locale.”

So before thinking about localization, product and software designers must conceive the product in a way that will allow it to be later localized to many different cultures.