diff --git a/django/conf/project_template/settings.py b/django/conf/project_template/settings.py
index ee08e9712b..ee4c9b5e96 100644
--- a/django/conf/project_template/settings.py
+++ b/django/conf/project_template/settings.py
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ SITE_ID = 1
 # to load the internationalization machinery.
 USE_I18N = True
 
+# If you set this to False, Django will not format dates, numbers and
+# calendars according to the current locale
+USE_L10N = True
+
 # Absolute path to the directory that holds media.
 # Example: "/home/media/media.lawrence.com/"
 MEDIA_ROOT = ''
diff --git a/docs/topics/i18n/localization.txt b/docs/topics/i18n/localization.txt
index 3431a25a12..10e59230e0 100644
--- a/docs/topics/i18n/localization.txt
+++ b/docs/topics/i18n/localization.txt
@@ -249,8 +249,13 @@ Format localization
 
 .. versionadded:: 1.2
 
-Django's formatting system is disabled by default. To enable it, it's necessary
-to set :setting:`USE_L10N = True <USE_L10N>` in your settings file.
+Django's formatting system is disabled by default. To enable it, it's
+necessary to set :setting:`USE_L10N = True <USE_L10N>` in your settings file.
+
+.. note::
+    The default :file:`settings.py` file created by
+    :djadmin:`django-admin.py startproject <startproject>` includes
+    :setting:`USE_L10N = True <USE_L10N>` for convenience.
 
 When using Django's formatting system, dates and numbers on templates will be
 displayed using the format specified for the current locale. Two users