United States GNIS place names
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is the Federal standard for geographic nomenclature. The U.S. Geological Survey developed the GNIS for the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as the official repository of domestic geographic names data; the official vehicle for geographic names use by all departments of the Federal Government; and the source for applying geographic names to Federal electronic and printed products.
The GNIS contains information about physical and cultural geographic features of all types in the United States, associated areas, and Antarctica, current and historical, but not including roads and highways. The database holds the Federally recognized name of each feature and defines the feature location by state, county, USGS topographic map, and geographic coordinates. Other attributes include names or spellings other than the official name, feature designations, feature classification, historical and descriptive information, and for some categories the geometric boundaries.
The database assigns a unique, permanent feature identifier, the Feature ID, as the only standard Federal key for accessing, integrating, or reconciling feature data from multiple data sets. The GNIS collects data from a broad program of partnerships with Federal, State, and local government agencies and other authorized contributors
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"
standalone="no" ?>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>19810501</pubdate>
<title>U.S.
Geographic Names Information System
(GNIS)</title>
<geoform>Live
map layers in ESRI SDE; live query by
URL with parameters and response in XML;
web form query with tabular, geographic
display and printable format; ASCII file
download</geoform>
<pubplace>Reston,
VA</pubplace>
<publish>U.S.
Geological Survey</publish>
</pubinfo>
<onlink>http://geonames.usgs.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</citation>
<abstract>The
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is
the Federal standard for geographic
nomenclature. The U.S. Geological Survey
developed the GNIS for the U.S. Board on
Geographic Names, a Federal inter-agency body
chartered by public law to maintain uniform
feature name usage throughout the Government and
to promulgate standard names to the public. The
GNIS is the official repository of domestic
geographic names data; the official vehicle for
geographic names use by all departments of the
Federal Government; and the source for applying
geographic names to Federal electronic and
printed products of all types. See
http://geonames.usgs.gov for additional
information.</abstract>
<purpose>The
Geographic Names Information System contains
information about physical and cultural
geographic features of all types in the United
States, associated areas, and Antarctica,
current and historical, but not including roads
and highways. The database holds the Federally
recognized name of each feature and defines the
feature location by state, county, USGS
topographic map, and geographic coordinates.
Other attributes include names or spellings
other than the official name, feature
designations, feature classification, historical
and descriptive information, and for some
categories the geometric boundaries. The
database assigns a unique, permanent feature
identifier, the Feature ID, as a standard
Federal key for accessing, integrating, or
reconciling feature data from multiple data
sets. The GNIS collects data from a broad
program of partnerships with Federal, State, and
local government agencies and other authorized
contributors. The GNIS provides data to all
levels of government and to the public, as well
as to numerous applications through a web query
site, web map and feature services, file
download services, and customized files upon
request.</purpose>
<supplinf>The
U.S. Board on Geographic Names was created in
1890 and established in its present form by
Public Law in 1947 to establish and maintain
uniform geographic name usage throughout the
Federal Government. The Board serves all
government agencies and the public as the
central authority to which name inquiries, name
issues, and new name proposals can be directed.
It is comprised of representatives of Federal
agencies associated with land management and
cartography. Sharing its responsibilities with
the Secretary of the Interior, the Board
develops principles, policies, and procedures
governing the use of both domestic and foreign
geographic names as well as undersea and
Antarctic feature names.</supplinf>
</descript>
<progress>In
work</progress>
<update>As
needed</update>
</status>
<westbc>-180.00</westbc>
<eastbc>180.00</eastbc>
<northbc>72.00</northbc>
<southbc>-90.00</southbc>
</bounding>
</spdom>
<themekt>None</themekt>
<themekey>location</themekey>
<themekey>economy</themekey>
<themekey>society</themekey>
<themekey>environment</themekey>
<themekey>structure</themekey>
<themekey>imageryBaseMapsEarthCover</themekey>
<themekey>inlandWaters</themekey>
<themekey>transportation</themekey>
<themekey>utilitiesCommunication</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
identification</themekey>
<themekey>Geographic
feature</themekey>
<themekey>Geographical
feature</themekey>
<themekey>Geographic
name</themekey>
<themekey>Geographical
name</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
name</themekey>
<themekey>Official
feature name</themekey>
<themekey>Place
name</themekey>
<themekey>Variant
name</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
coordinates</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
state</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
county</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
class</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
history</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
description</themekey>
<themekey>Feature
designation</themekey>
</theme>
<placekt>Geographic
Names Information System, USGS, Reston,
VA</placekt>
<placekey>United
States</placekey>
<placekey>State</placekey>
<placekey>County</placekey>
<placekey>Territory</placekey>
<placekey>Outlying
Area</placekey>
<placekey>Topographic
Map</placekey>
<placekey>Commonwealth</placekey>
<placekey>Parish</placekey>
<placekey>Borough</placekey>
<placekey>Census
Area</placekey>
<placekey>Municipio</placekey>
<placekey>District</placekey>
<placekey>Populated
Place</placekey>
<placekey>Antarctica</placekey>
</place>
<tempkt>None</tempkt>
<tempkey>Current</tempkey>
<tempkey>Historical</tempkey>
</temporal>
</keywords>
<accconst>None</accconst>
<useconst>None.
Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey would be
appreciated in products derived from these data.</useconst>
<cntper>Roger
L. Payne</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names Project</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
<cntemail>gnis_manager@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>Monday
through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</ptcontac>
<datacred>The
Geographic Names Information System was developed by the
U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Board on Geographic Names.</datacred>
<native>The
Geographic Names Information System is resident on a Sun
database server and a Sun web server with Sun Solaris
operating system. The database is an Oracle RDBMS with
Oracle Spatial. The web server is Oracle Internet
Application Server. Web map layers are served through
ESRI Spatial Data Engine (SDE) and an ESRI ArcIMS map
service. The system contains approximately 2 million
records, averaging 500 bytes in length.</native>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>Geodata.gov,
Geospatial One-Stop</title>
<othercit>Geodata.gov
is a geographic information system (GIS)
portal, also known as the Geospatial
One-Stop (GOS) that serves as a public
gateway for improving access to
geospatial information and data under
the Geospatial One-Stop E-Government
initiative. Geospatial One-Stop is one
of 24 E-Government initiatives sponsored
by the Federal Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to enhance government
efficiency and to improve citizen
services. See the Geographic Names
community in geodata.gov.</othercit>
<onlink>http://gos2.geodata.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>The
National Map</title>
<othercit>The
National Map, is a seamless,
continuously maintained set of public
domain geographic base information that
serves as a foundation for integrating,
sharing, and using other data easily and
consistently. The National Map viewer is
a Web-enabled portal to all of the
geospatial information contained in The
National Map. This portal not only
supports on-line access to the
geospatial information, but also allows
the download of digital data and
creation of cartographic products. The
GNIS supports The National Map as the
source for the gazetteer search in Find
Place function of The National Map
viewer and as active names layers.</othercit>
<onlink>http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>The
National Atlas</title>
<othercit>The
National Atlas summarizes national-scale
geographical information and delivers
easy to use, map-like views of America's
natural and sociocultural landscapes.
This digital version revises a large
bound collection of paper maps that was
published in 1970. The Atlas serves a
diverse populace as an essential
reference, a framework for information
discovery, an instrument of education,
an aid in research, and a reliable
source of government information. It
includes stimulating products and
services for children and adults to
understand complex relationships among
environments, places, and people. It
contributes to our knowledge of the
environmental, resource, demographic,
economic, social, political, and
historical dimensions of American life.
Though it cannot display detailed map
information, the Atlas directs users to
other sources for this information. The
GNIS provides geographic feature,
location, and attribute data to the
National Atlas.</othercit>
<onlink>http://nationalatlas.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>The
National Hydrography Dataset</title>
<othercit>The
National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a
comprehensive set of digital spatial
data that contains information about
surface water features such as lakes,
ponds, streams, rivers, springs and
wells. Within the NHD, surface water
features are combined to form "reaches,"
which provide the framework for linking
water-related data to the NHD surface
water drainage network. These linkages
enable the analysis and display of these
water-related data in upstream and
downstream order. The GNIS provides
geographic feature name data to the
National Hydrography Dataset.</othercit>
<onlink>http://nhd.usgs.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
<origin>National
Geospatial Agency (NGA)</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>GEOnet
Names Server</title>
<othercit>The
GEOnet Names Server (GNS) provides
access to the National Geospatial Agency
(NGA) database of foreign geographic
feature names. The database is the
official repository of foreign
place-name decisions approved by the
U.S. Board on Geographic Names (US BGN).
Approximately 20,000 of the database's
features are updated monthly.</othercit>
<onlink>http://gnswww.nga.mil/geonames/GNS/index.jsp</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
<origin>U.S.
Census Bureau</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>LandView</title>
<othercit>LandView
is a desktop mapping system that
searches and maps selected information
from the Environmental Protection
Agency, the Census Bureau, and the U.S.
Geological Survey. LandView contains a
large subset of GNIS feature, location,
and attribute data for the United
States. It is available on DVD. See the
LandView web site for information
concerning the latest edition and
ordering.</othercit>
<onlink>http://landview.census.gov/</onlink>
</citeinfo>
</crossref>
</idinfo>
<attraccr>During
Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10%
of the entries in the system were visually
verified against the compilation source data
(large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure an
accuracy rate of at least 95%. Subsequent data
compilation and input processes ensure accuracy
with programmed validation checks for format and
content, visual examination, and spot checks of
data.</attraccr>
</attracc>
<logic>During
Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10% of the
entries in the system were visually verified against the
compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic
maps) to ensure logical consistency of locative
references (geographic coordinates, topographic map, and
county. Subsequent data compilation and input processes
include programmed validation checks for logical
consistency, visual examination, and spot checks of
data.</logic>
<complete>This
dataset contains information about United States
physical and cultural geographic features of all types
and classes, with the exception of most roads and
highways. Subsequent to the original data compilation
process, which was taken primarily from Federal maps,
the GNIS has become dependent on input from Federal,
State, county, and local government agencies and other
approved sources. The completeness, currency, and
accuracy of the data varies by area depending on the
quality and timeliness of that input. Accordingly, the
Geographic Names Project actively seeks to expand
partnerships with Government agencies at all levels and
other interested organizations. The latest tools and
methodologies are being applied, including web map and
feature services, and joint or linked web applications,
to ensure that local data are properly represented in
the GNIS and through the GNIS to all Federal agencies
and to the public. Feature additions or corrections are
accepted for consideration from any source, and when
validated by appropriate agencies, will be entered into
the database. Local and State agencies are encouraged to
submit data and to participate in the GNIS partnership
program. Non-government organizations with valuable data
are considered on a case basis. Authorized partners have
access to web based transaction entry and edit forms,
which submit data directly to the GNIS for review and
inclusion in the database. Partners also submit batch
files in most standard formats, and coordinate with the
Geographic Names Project to develop joint services,
processes, and applications for greatest efficiency.
Data entered into the GNIS immediately is available to
all web services and applications dependent on it. For
additional information or to request user accounts for
entry and edit of production data and web seminar
training, contact gnis_manager@usgs.gov.</complete>
<horizpar>Accuracy
of these digital data is based upon the
use of printed or electronic source
graphics which are compiled to meet
National Map Accuracy Standards.
Comparison to the graphic source is used
as control to assess digital positional
accuracy.</horizpar>
</horizpa>
</posacc>
<srcscale>24000</srcscale>
<typesrc>paper</typesrc>
<srccitea>USGS</srccitea>
<srccontr>Feature
names and attribute data.</srccontr>
</srcinfo>
<origin>U.S.
Geological Survey</origin>
<pubdate>Unpublished
material</pubdate>
<title>Records
of the U.S. Board on
Geographic Names</title>
</citeinfo>
</srccite>
<typesrc>card,
paper, and electronic files</typesrc>
<srccitea>USBGN</srccitea>
<srccontr>Feature
names and attribute information</srccontr>
</srcinfo>
<origin>U.S.
Forest Service</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>U.S.
Forest Service
1:24,000-scale
topographic maps and
visitor maps</title>
</citeinfo>
</srccite>
<srcscale>24000</srcscale>
<typesrc>paper</typesrc>
<srccitea>USFS</srccitea>
<srccontr>Feature
names and attribute information</srccontr>
</srcinfo>
<origin>National
Ocean Service (NOS)</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>National
Ocean Service charts</title>
</citeinfo>
</srccite>
<typesrc>paper</typesrc>
<srccitea>NOAA/NOS</srccitea>
<srccontr>Feature
names and attribute information</srccontr>
</srcinfo>
<origin>The
State Names Authorities</origin>
<origin>Council
of Geographic Names
Authorities (COGNA)</origin>
<origin>U.S.
Forest Service</origin>
<origin>National
Ocean Service (NOS)</origin>
<origin>National
Park Service (NPS)</origin>
<origin>Other
Federal, state and local
agencies</origin>
<origin>Public</origin>
<pubdate>Unknown</pubdate>
<title>Unknown</title>
<othercit>Since
the original data
compilation was
completed from the
original sources, GNIS
accepts data or data
changes for
consideration from any
source, and upon
validation by the Board
on Geographic Names or
the appropriate Federal
or state agency, will
enter the data into the
database. The GNIS has
an active data gathering
and maintenance program.
A web-based data date
entry and edit
application allows
authorized users to
submit transaction data
directly for validation
and entry into the
database, where it
immediately becomes
available to all web
services and
applications. A test and
demonstration site with
no connection to
production data is
available for review,
training, and
familiarization. Batch
files will be accepted
in most standard
formats. Government
agencies at all levels
are encouraged to join
this program. Other
organizations and
individuals will be
considered on a case
basis. For additional
information or to
request user accounts
for entry and edit of
production data and web
seminar training,
contact
gnis_manager@usgs.gov.</othercit>
</citeinfo>
</srccite>
<typesrc>Multiple
electronic or text media types.</typesrc>
<srccitea>Various</srccitea>
<srccontr>Feature
names and attribute information</srccontr>
</srcinfo>
<procdesc>GNIS
Phase I data compilation and edit -
Feature name and attribute data were
collected from the largest-scale USGS
topographic maps available. These data
are compared to the records of the U.S.
Board on Geographic Names.</procdesc>
<srcused>USGS</srcused>
<srcused>USBGN</srcused>
<procdate>198105</procdate>
<cntper>Roger
L. Payne</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological
Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names Project</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
<cntemail>gnis_manager@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>Monday
through Friday 0730-1700
Eastern Time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</proccont>
</procstep>
<procdesc>GNIS
Phase II data compilation and edit -
Feature name and attribute data are
collected from official state and local
sources and other approved sources
including historical maps and documents.</procdesc>
<srcused>USGS</srcused>
<srcused>USBGN</srcused>
<procdate>Not
complete</procdate>
<cntper>Roger
L. Payne</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological
Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names Project</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
<cntemail>gnis_manager@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>Monday
through Friday 0730-1700
Eastern Time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</proccont>
</procstep>
<procdesc>GNIS
Maintenance program - Federal and state
maintenance cooperators submit new and
corrected data in conjunction with their
mapping and geographical information
system data maintenance programs. The
GNIS has an active data gathering and
maintenance program. A web-based data
date entry and edit application allows
authorized users to submit transaction
data directly for validation and entry
into the database, where it immediately
becomes available to all web services
and applications. A test and
demonstration site with no connection to
production data is available for review,
training, and familiarization. Batch
files will be accepted in most standard
formats. Government agencies at all
levels are encouraged to join this
program. Other organizations and
individuals will be considered on a case
basis. For additional information or to
request user accounts for entry and edit
of production data and web seminar
training, contact gnis_manager@usgs.gov
or the individual below.</procdesc>
<srcused>USGS</srcused>
<srcused>USBGN</srcused>
<srcused>USFS</srcused>
<srcused>Various</srcused>
<srcused>NOAA/NOS</srcused>
<procdate>Not
complete</procdate>
<cntper>Louis
A. Yost</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological
Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names
Information Section</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4552</cntvoice>
<cntemail>lyost@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>0900-1700
Eastern time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</proccont>
</procstep>
<procdesc>Partnerships
- the Geographic Names Project enters
into partnerships with State names
authorities and State and local GIS
agencies to integrate name, location,
and attribute data in the GNIS with
State and local datasets. These
partnerships utilize GIS and web
technology to automate and simplify data
maintenance, ensure data consistency,
integrity, and accuracy, and meet the
requirements of the Board on Geographic
Names for national names
standardization. Government agencies at
all levels are encouraged to join this
program. Other organizations and
individuals will be considered on a case
basis. For additional information
contact the individual below.</procdesc>
<procdate>Not
complete</procdate>
<cntper>Roger
L. Payne</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological
Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names Project</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
<cntemail>gnis_manager@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>Monday
through Friday 0730-1700
Eastern Time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</proccont>
</procstep>
</lineage>
</dataqual>
<indspref>Features
are located by State and county, and related to the USGS
topographic map on which the feature is shown.</indspref>
<direct>Vector</direct>
<sdtstype>Entity
point</sdtstype>
</sdtsterm>
<sdtstype>Area
point</sdtstype>
</sdtsterm>
<sdtstype>Node,
planar graph</sdtstype>
</sdtsterm>
<sdtstype>Complete
chain</sdtstype>
</sdtsterm>
<sdtstype>GT-polygon
composed of chains</sdtstype>
</sdtsterm>
</ptvctinf>
</spdoinfo>
<enttypl>Geographic
feature</enttypl>
<enttypd>A
geographic feature is any relatively
permanent part of the natural or manmade
landscape or seascape that has
recognizable identity within a
particular cultural context. The primary
attributes of a geographic feature are
name and location.</enttypd>
<enttypds>Principles,
Policies, and Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth,
Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic
Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne,
Executive Secretary, United States Board
on Geographic Names and Domestic
Geographic Names, Third printing
(revised) and Preliminary Online
Edition, 1997
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).</enttypds>
</enttyp>
<attrlabl>Feature
Identifier</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
permanent, unique identifying number for
a geographic feature record. This number
is assigned by the Geographic Names
Information System and used as a
relational key for uniquely identifying,
indexing, and searching geographic
features and for integrating or
reconciling GNIS data with other data
sets. The number has no information
content. The GNIS Feature ID supersedes
the Federal Information Processing
Standard (FIPS) 55 Place Code as the
Federal standard unique feature
identifier and is under consideration as
an ANSI standard.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
Name</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
geographic feature name and its written
form and application approved or
recognized as official by the United
States Board on Geographic Names for use
throughout the Federal Government. The
official name is established either by
policy or by decision of the Board on
Geographic Names. A geographic feature
may have only one official name, which
must be the name applied to the feature
on all Federal products, electronic or
printed.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Principles,
Policies, and Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth,
Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic
Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne,
Executive Secretary, United States Board
on Geographic Names and Domestic
Geographic Names, Third printing
(revised) and Preliminary Online
Edition, 1997
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Principles,
Policies, and
Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names</codesetn>
<codesets>Principles,
Policies, and
Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names, By
Donald J. Orth,
Executive Secretary,
Domestic Geographic
Names (emeritus) and
Roger L. Payne,
Executive Secretary,
United States Board on
Geographic Names and
Domestic Geographic
Names, Third printing
(revised) and
Preliminary Online
Edition, 1997
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
<begdatea>18900804</begdatea>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
Variant Name</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
variant name is any geographic feature
name or spelling other than the official
name once or currently used to refer to
a particular geographic entity. A
geographic feature may have any number
of variant names. Variant names are
displayed in the GNIS public web query
site but currently are not available
from the GNIS web map service, XML
service, or downloadable files.
Customized data files will be provide
upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Principles,
Policies, and Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth,
Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic
Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne,
Executive Secretary, United States Board
on Geographic Names and Domestic
Geographic Names, Third printing
(revised) and Preliminary Online
Edition, 1997
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Principles,
Policies, and
Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names</codesetn>
<codesets>Principles,
Policies, and
Procedures: Domestic
Geographic Names, By
Donald J. Orth,
Executive Secretary,
Domestic Geographic
Names (emeritus) and
Roger L. Payne,
Executive Secretary,
United States Board on
Geographic Names and
Domestic Geographic
Names, Third printing
(revised) and
Preliminary Online
Edition, 1997
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
<begdatea>18900804</begdatea>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Primary
Point</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
latitude and longitude of a point
locating a geographic feature, also
termed the feature "application." Along
with the feature name, the application
is approved or recognized as official
either by policy or by decision of the
United States Board on Geographic Names
for use throughout the Federal
Government. It is the point to which the
official name is attached independent of
the existence, state, currency, or
accuracy of any other geographical
representation of the feature, and may
be subject to change or correction. A
geographic feature may have only one
primary point regardless of size or
extent. A point feature is defined by
this single set of coordinates on the
USGS National Base Map series at a scale
of 1:24000 or 1:25000. The primary point
of a linear feature depends on the
feature class. If feature class equals
stream, valley or arroyo, the primary
point is the mouth. The primary point of
a canal, channel, or trail is the
center. The primary point of a ridge is
the highest point. The primary point of
an areal feature is the approximate
geographic center with the following
exceptions: The primary point of a
populated place is the center of
original place, if known, such as the
city or town hall, main post office, or
town square regardless of changes over
time; The primary point of a reservoir
is the center of the dam; The primary
point of a summit, range, ridge, or
pillar is the highest point. The primary
point has a sequence number of 1. These
points do not represent feature
boundaries or geometries and should not
be confused with them. The feature
application may be displayed as latitude
and longitude data or as a point in a
geographic information system.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<rdommin>-90.0000000
latitude</rdommin>
<rdommax>72.0000000
latitude</rdommax>
<attrunit>Decimal
degrees</attrunit>
<attrmres>0.0000001</attrmres>
</rdom>
</attrdomv>
<rdommin>-180.0000000
longitude</rdommin>
<rdommax>180.0000000
longitude</rdommax>
<attrunit>Decimal
degrees</attrunit>
<attrmres>0.0000001</attrmres>
</rdom>
</attrdomv>
<begdatea>1890</begdatea>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Secondary
Point</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
latitude and longitude of a point
locating a linear or areal geographic
feature on a map of the USGS National
Base Map series (at a scale of 1:24000
or 1:25000) other than the map
containing the primary point. With one
exception (i.e., the point representing
the source of a stream, valley or arroyo
may be on the same map as the primary
point) a feature is assigned one point
per map on which it is located. The
points are sequenced. Sequence number
one is always the primary point and the
remaining points are secondary points.
For a linear feature with feature class
equal to valley, stream, or arroyo, the
points are sequenced from mouth toward
the source and the highest sequence
number is the source. For other linear
features and for areal features,
secondary points are sequenced according
to guidelines of the U.S. Board On
Geographic Names. The location of the
point on the feature within the map is
arbitrary. This method of associating
features with maps was conceived prior
to geographic information system
technology and has been retained as a
useful approximation of feature extent
and a reference to printed maps. These
points do not represent boundaries or
geometries and should not be confused
with them. Secondary points may be
displayed as latitude and longitude data
or as points in a geographic information
system. Secondary points are displayed
in the GNIS public web query site but
currently are not available from the
GNIS web map service, XML service, or
downloadable files. Customized data
files will be provide upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<rdommin>-90.0000000</rdommin>
<rdommax>72.0000000</rdommax>
<attrunit>Decimal
degrees</attrunit>
<attrmres>0.0000001</attrmres>
</rdom>
</attrdomv>
<rdommin>-180.0000000</rdommin>
<rdommax>180.0000000</rdommax>
<attrunit>Decimal
degrees</attrunit>
<attrmres>0.0000001</attrmres>
</rdom>
</attrdomv>
<begdatea>1890</begdatea>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Country</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
country or countries containing the
geographic feature. This dataset
contains features in the United States
and territories, features in Canada or
Mexico that extend into the United
States, and features in the following
associated areas of the United States:
the Federated States of Micronesia, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Republic of Palau. The dataset also
contains features in Antarctica, which
for data purposes is treated as a
country. This is relational data, not
spatial data. The data owner specifies
the value(s) associated with each
geographic feature. Values are
represented by country name and country
alpha code. These data applies
particularly to features for which there
is no known, recognized, standard, or
available boundary data.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<edomv>United
States (US).</edomv>
<edomvd>United
States</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Canada
(CA)</edomv>
<edomvd>Canada</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Mexico
(MX)</edomv>
<edomvd>Mexico</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Micronesia
(FM)</edomv>
<edomvd>Federated
States of Micronesia</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Marshall
Islands (RM)</edomv>
<edomvd>Republic
of the Marshall Islands</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Palau
(PS)</edomv>
<edomvd>Republic
of Palau.</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
<edomv>Antarctica
(AY).</edomv>
<edomvd>Antarctica</edomvd>
<edomvds>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
10-4, Countries,
Dependencies, Areas Of
Special Sovereignty, And
Their Principal
Administrative
Divisions, U.S.
Department Of Commerce,
Technology
Administration, National
Institute Of Standards
And Technology.</edomvds>
</edom>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>State</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
State or States or State equivalents
containing the geographic feature. This
dataset contains features in States of
the United States, the District of
Columbia, territories, outlying areas of
the United States, and associated areas.
This is relational data, not spatial
data. The data owner specifies the
value(s) associated with each geographic
feature. Values are represented by state
name, state numeric code, and state
alpha code. The primary State is the
State containing the primary point and
is assigned sequence number one.
Secondary States are those other than
the primary State containing the feature
and are sequenced according to
guidelines of the Board on Geographic
Names, consistent with the primary and
secondary counties containing the
feature. For linear features (streams,
valleys, arroyos) the sequencing is from
mouth toward source. Secondary States
are displayed in the GNIS public web
query site but currently are not
available from the GNIS web map service,
XML service, or downloadable files.
Customized data files will be provide
upon request. This data may be
particularly helpful for features having
no known, recognized, standard, or
available boundary data.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Codes
For The Identification
Of The States, The
District Of Columbia And
The Outlying Areas Of
The United States, And
Associated Areas.</codesetn>
<codesets>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
5-2, Codes For The
Identification Of The
States, The District Of
Columbia And The
Outlying Areas Of The
United States, And
Associated Areas.</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>County</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
county or counties or county equivalents
containing the geographic feature. This
dataset contains features in counties or
county equivalents of the States of the
United States, the District of Columbia,
territories, outlying areas of the
United States, and associated areas.
This is relational data, not spatial
data. The data owner specifies the
value(s) associated with each geographic
feature. Values are represented by
county name and county numeric code. The
primary county is the county containing
the primary point and is assigned
sequence number one. Secondary counties
are those other than the primary county
containing the feature and are sequenced
according to guidelines of the Board on
Geographic Names. For linear features
(streams, valleys, arroyos) the
sequencing is from mouth toward source.
Secondary counties are displayed in the
GNIS public web query site but currently
are not available from the GNIS web map
service, XML service, or downloadable
files. Customized data files will be
provide upon request. This data applies
particularly to features for which there
is no known, recognized, standard, or
available boundary data.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Counties
And Equivalent Entities
Of The United States,
Its Possessions, And
Associated Areas.</codesetn>
<codesets>Federal
Information Processing
Standards Publication
6-4, Counties And
Equivalent Entities Of
The United States, Its
Possessions, And
Associated Areas.</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
Class</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
feature class is a designation for a
group of features in a broadly defined
descriptive category. All features are
assigned to one and only one class. They
do not individually classify all kinds
of cultural and natural features. By
design, there are no Federal or industry
standards or guidelines for feature
classification. These classifications
originally were developed for mainframe
file structure search purposes. Although
the terms are generally consistent with
dictionary definitions, they may not
conform exactly and are not always
intuitive.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523
(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Feature
class values and
definitions for the
Geographic Names
Information System
(http:\\geonames.usgs.gov).</codesetn>
<codesets>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523
National Center, Reston,
VA 20192-0523
(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
Designation</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
feature designation is assigned to a
feature or group of features to define
further and classify feature functions,
purpose, and attributes. For example, a
feature designated historical is one
that no longer exists on the landscape.
Other examples include State Capitol,
County Seat, Independent City, and
Subdivision. A feature may have more
than one designation. Designations and
their definitions will be added as
needed. Designations are displayed in
the GNIS public web query site but
currently are not available from the
GNIS web map service, XML service, or
downloadable files. Customized data
files will be provide upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523
(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</attrdefs>
<codesetn>Feature
designation values and
definitions for the
Geographic Names
Information System
(http:\\geonames.usgs.gov).</codesetn>
<codesets>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523
National Center, Reston,
VA 20192-0523
(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
Description</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
feature description is amplifying,
clarifying, or unusual characteristics
of or information about a feature or the
feature data in the Geographic Names
Information System. This is unstructured
textual data entered when available and
not present for all entries. Additional
information from any source is welcome.
Descriptions are displayed in the GNIS
public web query site but currently are
not available from the GNIS web map
service, XML service, or downloadable
files. Customized data files will be
provide upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<udom>Unstructured
text data.</udom>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Feature
History</attrlabl>
<attrdef>A
feature history is a description of the
name origin, and physical and/or
cultural history of a feature. This is
unstructured textual data entered when
available and not present for all
entries. Additional information from any
source is welcome. History data are
displayed in the GNIS public web query
site but currently are not available
from the GNIS web map service, XML
service, or downloadable files.
Customized data files will be provide
upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<udom>Unstructured
text data.</udom>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>Elevation</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
elevation above sea level of the feature
at the primary point (positive number)
or depth of a feature at the lowest
point below sea level (negative number).
Elevation figures are not official and
do not represent precisely measured or
surveyed values. The data are extracted
from digital elevation models of the
National Elevation Dataset
(http://ned.usgs.gov/) for the primary
coordinates and may differ from
elevations cited in other sources. The
differences will be most evident for
features such as summits where precision
is of more concern and where the local
relief (rate of change of elevation) may
be more prominent. However, the
elevation figures are within tolerances
for the data for most points and
sufficiently accurate for purposes of
general information. Elevation data are
displayed in the GNIS public web query
site but currently are not available
from the GNIS web map service, XML
service, or downloadable files.
Customized data files will be provide
upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<rdommin>-13,500</rdommin>
<rdommax>20,500</rdommax>
<attrunit>Feet</attrunit>
</rdom>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>USGS
Map Name</attrlabl>
<attrdef>The
name of the standard USGS 7.5x7.5 degree
quadrangle map(s) containing the
representation of the feature. Map names
are displayed in the GNIS public web
query site but currently are not
available from the GNIS web map service,
XML service, or downloadable files.
Customized data files will be provide
upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.</attrdefs>
<codesetn>The
Geographic Names
Information System
(GNIS)</codesetn>
<codesets>The
official database of
names assigned to
standard USGS products
according to USGS policy
and procedures,
including standard
7.5x7.5 degree
quadrangle maps and
digital products.
Geographic Names
Project, USGS, 523
National Center, Reston,
VA 20192-0523
(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</codesets>
</codesetd>
</attrdomv>
</attr>
<attrlabl>FIPS55
Place Code</attrlabl>
<attrdef>Originally
a five-digit feature record identifier
in the Federal Information Processing
Standard (FIPS) 55 database. To be
unique, the Place Code must be preceded
by the two-digit State code. The FIPS55
database has been merged with the
Geographic Names Information System and
will cease to exist as a separate
entity. The data is preserved in the
GNIS. The GNIS Feature ID has superseded
the FIPS55 Place Code as the Federal
standard unique, permanent, feature
identifier and will over time replace
the Place Code in all Federal systems
using it. Legacy Place Codes are
retained in the GNIS during the
transition and are viewable in the
feature detail report in the GNIS public
web site. Additional information
concerning this change and customized
datasets with FIPS55 Place Codes in
relation to their respective Feature IDs
will be provided upon request.</attrdef>
<attrdefs>Geographic
Names Project, USGS, 523 National
Center, Reston, VA
20192-0523(gnis_manager@usgs.gov).</attrdefs>
</attr>
</detailed>
</eainfo>
<cntorg>Geographic
Names Project, U.S. Geological
Survey</cntorg>
</cntorgp>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
<cntemail>gnis_manager@usgs.gov</cntemail>
<hours>Monday
through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time</hours>
</cntinfo>
</distrib>
<resdesc>Document
of Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Metadata</resdesc>
<distliab>Although
these data have been processed successfully on a
computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no
warranty expressed or implied is made by the USGS
regarding the utility of the data on any other system,
nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such
warranty. The Geological Survey will warrant the
delivery of this product in computer-readable format.</distliab>
<formname>HTML.</formname>
<formcont>All
GNIS data may be queried,
displayed printed from the
public web site</formcont>
</digtinfo>
</digform>
<fees>None</fees>
</stdorder>
<formname>ASCII.</formname>
<formcont>Datasets
of under 2000 records may be
queried and displayed from the
public web site and downloaded</formcont>
</digtinfo>
</digform>
<fees>None</fees>
</stdorder>
<formname>Arc
SDE.</formname>
<formcont>Primary
attributes are available from
the names layers served through
an ESRI ArcIMS map service. The
following are instructions for
access by ESRI ArcMap. For other
tools, please adjust
accordingly. 1) Click Add Data,
2) expand drop-down to GIS
Servers, 3) select Add WMS
Server, 4) enter the following
full URL (NOTE: For ArcMap, the
ampersand must be at the end of
the URL), 5) click Get Layers,
then OK, (The service is added
to the list of available
servers), 6) select service if
not already highlighted, 7)
click Add, 8) select the service
again in pop up box, 9) click
Add. The layers should appear in
the ArcMap table of contents. No
data will appear until you zoom
in far enough over continental
the US to at least 1:2 million.
The layers display at varying
resolutions. See these same
layers in The National Map
viewer under the Names category
in the layer list on the right
side. The names layers do not
include all attributes.
Customized files of large data
sets also can be provided on
request in most standard formats
including shape files. The data
is presented</formcont>
</digtinfo>
</digform>
<fees>None</fees>
</stdorder>
<formname>XML.</formname>
<formcont>Primary
attributes are available from
the GNIS XML service.
Instructions: Insert desired
parameter value(s) in single
quotes following the equals
sign. Do not change or delete
unused parameters. Parameter
definitions: fname = feature
name. (Exact match. Not case
sensitive.) state = state name.
(Exact match. Case sensitive.)
cnty = county name. (Exact
match. Not case sensitive.) cell
= USGS standard topographic map
name. (Exact match. Not case
sensitive.) ftype = feature type
(class). See the GNIS public
query page
(http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/).
The pick list for feature class
contains the values. Note that
the value (populated place) in
the pick list is abbreviated
(ppl) in the data. This service
is evolving and will be upgraded
in early 2006. It can be further
customized and changes may be
made or new services added. As
currently implemented, it is for
relatively small data set
queries not for mass downloads.
It does not include all
attributes. Customized files of
large data sets also can be
provided on request in most
standard formats. The data is
presented</formcont>
</digtinfo>
</digform>
<fees>None</fees>
</stdorder>
<formname>ASCII.</formname>
<formcont>Data
extract files for States and
territories are available for
download via web browser. Four
topical extracts of the data
base are also available: the
U.S. Populated Places File lists
information about all
communities throughout the
United States that are described
in the database; the U.S.
Concise File lists information
about major physical and
cultural features throughout the
United States that are described
in the database; the Historical
Features File lists information
about features which are no
longer in existence; and the
Antarctica File contains entries
throughout the continent of
Antarctica as approved for use
by the United States Government.
The data is presented</formcont>
</digtinfo>
</digform>
<fees>None</fees>
</stdorder>
<custom>Custom
data sets may be requested in most standard formats
including ASCII, shape, .xls, and Oracle extract.
Contact gnis_manager@usgs.gov</custom>
</distinfo>
<metd>20051227</metd>
<cntper>Roger
L. Payne</cntper>
<cntorg>U.S.
Geological Survey</cntorg>
</cntperp>
<cntpos>Chief,
Geographic Names Project</cntpos>
<addrtype>Mailing
address</addrtype>
<address>523
National Center</address>
<city>Reston</city>
<state>Virginia</state>
<postal>20192</postal>
</cntaddr>
<cntvoice>703
648 4544</cntvoice>
</cntinfo>
</metc>
<metstdn>Content
Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata</metstdn>
<metstdv>FGDC-STD-001-1998</metstdv>
</metainfo>
</metadata>
insert pic