FAQ's about Geographic Place Names (GNIS)

There are 3,141 counties and county equivalents in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. They are categorized as follows:

3,007 entities named "County"
16 Boroughs in Alaska
11 Census Areas in Alaska (for areas not organized into Boroughs by the State)
64 Parishes in Louisiana
42 Independent Cities (1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nevada, and the remainder in Virginia)
1 District - the Federal District or District of Columbia.

This does not include Commonwealths and territories with what are generally county equivalents, which are as follows:

Puerto Rico - 78 Municipios
U.S. Virgin Islands - 2 Districts
Guam - 19 Election Districts
Northern Mariana Islands - 17 Districts
American Samoa - 5 Districts

There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. Such definitions as exist derive from the particular needs and applications of organizations using them. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database utilizes 63 broad categories of feature types originally defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics from the database.

These categories generally accord with dictionary definitions, but not always or in all respects. The differences are thematic and highly perceptive. For example, a lake is classified in the GNIS as a "natural body of inland water," a definition that may not apply in other contexts. We have found 54 other generic terms with characteristics similar to a lake, and all are classified as lake, including features called ponds. It might be generally agreed that a pond is smaller than a lake, but even this is not always true.

All "linear flowing bodies of water" are classified as streams in the GNIS. At least 121 other generic terms fit this broad category, including creeks and rivers. Observers might contend that a creek must flow into a river, but such hierarchies do not exist in the Nation's namescape. Near the USGS offices in Northern Virginia, Little River flows into Goose Creek. Many controversies exist, such as mountain and hill, which we call "summit" along with 194 generic terms with similar characteristics. Cities, towns and other entities with human habitation are classified as populated places.

The British Ordnance Survey once defined a mountain as having 1,000 feet of elevation and less was a hill, but the distinction was abandoned sometime in the 1920's. There was even a movie with this as its theme in the late 1990's - The Englishman That Went Up a Hill and Down a Mountain. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names once stated that the difference between a hill and a mountain in the U.S. was 1,000 feet of local relief, but even this was abandoned in the early 1970's. Broad agreement on such questions is essentially impossible, which is why there are no official feature classification standards.

There are no official definitions of city, town, village, hamlet, neighborhood, etc. All named entities with human habitation are classified as Populated Place, including incorporated places (20 percent of the Nation's communities), unincorporated places (the majority), housing developments not yet incorporated, and neighborhoods within incorporated places.

The most frequently occurring community name continues to vary. In the past year, it was Midway at 212 occurrences and Fairview at 202. More recently, Fairview counted 288 and Midway 256. The name Springfield often is thought to be the only community name appearing in each of the 50 States, but at last count it was in only 34. The most recent count shows Riverside with 186 instances in 46 States, only Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Oklahoma not having a community so named.

Proposals to name an unnamed natural feature may be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as described below. The Board is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government, and promulgates policies governing issues such as commemorative naming, derogatory names, and names in wilderness areas. Generally the most important policy is local use and acceptance.

Please note that no natural feature (and certain manmade features) may be named for a living person. A potential honoree must have been deceased for at least five years, and must have had either a direct and long-term association with the feature, or must have made notable civic contributions.

Upon receipt of a proposal, all interested parties will be asked to comment. The Board makes decisions only after receiving recommendations from the local government, county government, the State Names Authority (in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 2 Territories), and appropriate land management agencies. Only name proposals for natural features will be accepted (see this FAQ for information on administrative feature names—churches, cemeteries, schools, parks, shopping centers, etc).

A new name proposal may be submitted using the Domestic Geographic Names form (PDF version) mailed to U.S. Board on Geographic Names, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 523, Reston, VA 20192-0523. Alternatively, the online version of the form may be used. Please read Principles, Policies, and Procedures before submitting a proposal. An information packet and forms can be mailed upon request. The entire process is free of charge, but will take approximately six months. For more information contact the GNIS Manager.

Several categories with different meanings and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the United States and are contained in the Geographic Names Information System data.

States and DC
50 States plus the Federal District known as District of Columbia

Commonwealths
Puerto Rico (Caribbean)
Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific)
(former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite to join the U.S.)

Territories (various types)
Guam (Pacific)
(physically part of the Marianas Islands but politically separate)
American Samoa (Pacific)
U.S. Virgin Islands (Caribbean)
(uses "U.S." in name to distinguish from neighboring British Virgin Islands)

Miscellaneous Insular or Outlying Areas - No permanent population. Periodically inhabited by military personnel or scientists, otherwise uninhabited.

Baker Island (Pacific)
Howland Island (Pacific)
Jarvis Island (Pacific)
Palmyra Atoll (an atoll is a coral reef) (Pacific)
Johnston Island (Pacific)
Kingman Reef (Pacific)
Midway Islands (Pacific)
Wake Island (Pacific)
Navassa Island (Caribbean)

Freely Associated States – The word "State" here is used in the international sense as an independent country with the exception that the United States is responsible for their defense.

Federated States of Micronesia (Pacific)
(Former United Nations Trust Territory elected by plebiscite to become "independent.")
Republic of the Marshall Islands (Pacific)
(Former United Nations Trust Territory elected by plebiscite to become "independent.")
Republic of Palau (Pacific)
(Former portion of a United Nations Trust Territory elected by plebiscite to become "independent.")

Note: Corn Islands and Swan Islands were formerly U.S. but were recently ceded to Nicaragua and Honduras respectively. Also, Serrana Bank and Roncador Bank were ceded by the U.S. to Colombia. All of these are in the Caribbean.

For more information, contact the Office of Insular Affairs at the Interior Department's Web page at: http://www.doi.gov.

The National Atlas Map Maker can be used to locate named places within the United States. Go to the Map Maker, click on the Find tab, then follow the onscreen directions.

Yes, GNIS actively seeks names of features that no longer exist. There are more than 100,000 such entries in the database now. To search for them, type the word "(historical)" (along with other name words if desired) in the name field. It is advisable to narrow the search further by selecting State, County, and/or Feature Class. For performance reasons, the query returns only results sets less than 2000 records.

The database also contains many historical names for features that still exist, which are termed variant names. Each geographic feature may have only one official name, but may list numerous variants. The feature query returns all features with the official name or variants matching the query, but only the official name displays in the results list. If a feature appears in the results list with a name different than the name entered, click on the name to view the feature details. The name entered will be listed among the variants. If you do not wish to query by variant names, click the Exclude Variant box under the Name field in the query page. Click the title of the Feature Name field for additional information.

The Geographic Names fact sheet is available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3016/.

Proposals to change the name of a natural feature may be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as described below. However, there must be a compelling reason. The Board is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government, and discourages name changes unless necessary. Further, the Board states that, "changing a name merely to correct or re-establish historical usage is not in and of itself a reason to change a name."

Names evolve, and even through cartographic recording errors, become established in the local vernacular. Geographic names usually are well established on maps, other documents, and on signs. Although any approved name change will be reflected immediately in the GNIS, maps, other documents, and signs will only be changed during the normal revision cycle.

The Board on Geographic Names promulgates policies governing issues such as commemorative naming, derogatory names, and names in wilderness areas. Generally the most important policy is local use and acceptance. Please note that no natural feature (and certain manmade features) may be named for a living person. A potential honoree must have been deceased for at least five years, and must have had either a direct and long-term association with the feature or must have made notable civic contributions.

Upon receipt of a proposal, all interested parties will be asked to comment. The Board makes decisions only with recommendations from the local government, county government, the State Names Authority (in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 2 Territories), and appropriate land management agencies. Only name proposals for natural features will be accepted (see this FAQ for information on administrative feature names—churches, cemeteries, schools, parks, shopping centers, etc).

A names change proposal may be submitted using the Domestic Geographic Names form (PDF version) mailed to U.S. Board on Geographic Names, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 523, Reston, VA 20192-0523. Alternatively, the online version of the form may be used. Please read Principles, Policies, and Procedures before submitting a proposal, or an information packet and forms will be mailed to you upon request. The entire process is free of charge, but will take approximately six months. For more information contact the GNIS Manager.

The elevation data in GNIS are not official.
Only the geographic name and locative attributes are official.

The elevation data are from the National Elevation Dataset of the U.S. Geological Survey for the primary location of the feature (Coordinates Sequence = 1 in the Feature Detail Report).

The Primary coordinate values for communities are taken at the center of the "original" community meaning the city hall, main post office, main intersection, etc. For other areal features, coordinates are taken at the approximate center, and for reservoirs at the dam. The primary coordinates for features classified as summit (all uplifted features), are recorded at the highest point and for linear features (stream, valley, and arroyo) at the mouth.

The elevation figures in the GNIS 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 for the given coordinates and might differ from elevations cited in other sources, including those published on USGS topographic maps. Published map data represent precisely surveyed points that often are marked by a benchmark or triangle on the map and a benchmark seal physically anchored into the ground at the site.

The variances between the GNIS elevation data and other sources generally arise from acceptable tolerances and 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) is more prominent. When the elevation figure is of particular note, for example the highest point in the State, then the actual elevation is recorded in the description field of the feature.

If the elevation figure for a particular feature seems significantly inaccurate, the feature coordinates might need adjusting and/or the elevation model data for those coordinates are not correct. For most purposes of general information, the elevation figures are sufficiently accurate. Efforts are continuously being made to improve the accuracy of both GNIS and NED data, the results of which will be reflected at this site.

Data extracts from the Geographic Names Information System are available for download as tab delimited text (.txt) files within a compressed (.zip) format. See the Download GNIS selection under Domestic Names on the GNIS Web site. For each download category, a link to File Format explains the data in the file.

These files contain primary feature attributes, but do not contain all attributes. They include the official feature name (but not other names called variant names), the primary coordinates, and the primary State, county, and topographic map containing the primary coordinates. If a feature exists in more than one State, county, or on more than one map, this secondary information is displayed at the GNIS public Web site (http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/), but is not contained in these files. Customized files are available on request to GNIS Manager.

GNIS data is available from a number of sources and services. See the Geospatial One-Stop, Geographic Names Community for full metadata and instructions concerning these services (Click Geographic Names under Special Interest in left menu, then Gallery or Resources.). Contact GNIS Manager for additional information.

GNIS public Web site: Directly queries the database for official geographic feature names, their locative attributes, variant names, and other data, and allows users to display, print, and download results for datasets up to 2000 records.

The National Map: Displays the names layers from the GNIS Map Service in the right menu of the viewer. Define an area of interest, check the desired layers under the Names category, and refresh the map for display. The Find Place/Feature Lookup utility in the left menu of the viewer directly accesses the database through the GNIS XML service. Query on features of interest, then center and zoom the viewer to them. Click Download in the left menu and select layers including Names to retrieve ZIPed SHAPE files.

GNIS Map Service: Provides direct access to the Names layers of The National Map for GIS tools such as ESRI ARCMap including display and download capabilities.

GNIS XML Service: Provides direct query access to GNIS database by appending query parameters to the URL and returns results in XML format for processing by any user or application. The XML service is utilized by the Find Place/Names Feature Lookup utility in The National Map.

GNIS Download Files: Data extract files for States and territories are available for download. Four topical extracts of the data base also are available: the U.S. Populated Places File lists information about all communities throughout the United States described in the database; the U.S. Concise File lists information about major physical and cultural features throughout the United States; the Historical Features File lists information about features that are no longer in existence; and the Antarctica File contains entries throughout the continent of Antarctica as approved for use on United States Government products. Go to Download GNIS for access to data extract files.

GNIS Customized Files: Will be provided if feasible upon request to GNIS Manager.

Find more information about Geographic Names at the GNIS Fact Sheet.

Entries for these categories are in the database, but are not available at the public Web site. In response to the 1988 National Cave Management Resources Act, an Interior Department Regulation (43 CFR Subtitle A, Part 37) forbids employees from releasing information regarding the location of a cave classified as significant on Federal lands. The regulation has been extended to all caves on Federal lands that have not been so classified as, "being under consideration for such classification."

The GNIS database does not have presently the capability or the resources to determine which caves exist on Federal lands and are administered by Federal agencies as contrasted with those on other lands. Therefore, until further notice, features classified as "cave" are not retrievable at the Web site.

Information regarding the location of caves in the GNIS must be requested in writing from the office of the Secretary of the Interior. Each request will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. The address is U.S. Department of the Interior, Secretary of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Information from this database regarding military installations must be requested in writing from the Associate Director for Geospatial Data at the U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192. Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This does not apply to military installations classified as historic, for which information is available from the GNIS database.

Suggested corrections and additions to the data are accepted from any source for review, and upon validation, will be committed to the database.

For manmade and administrative features, submit the official name of the feature, its precise location in geographic coordinates, State, county, and a bibliographic reference to GNIS Manager. The bibliographic reference is the written source such as a map, pamphlet, other document, Web site, sign, etc. in which the name is published. If a precise location is not available or submitted, the geographical coordinates will be entered as "unknown."

Note that this procedure does not apply to natural features. See this FAQ and this FAQ.

The USGS Geographic Names Project maintains an active and extensive program to add features not in the database, primarily through partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, and with other organizations having relevant data.

The GNIS Web-based data maintenance application allows authorized users to enter and edit feature data directly. Batch files of data also are accepted in most standard formats. Government agencies at all levels are encouraged to join the program. Other organizations and individuals will be considered on a case basis.

See the Geospatial One-Stop, Geographic Names Community for additional information concerning GNIS Web services and the data maintenance program or contact GNIS Manager.

All coordinates in the database are in NAD 83. They were converted from NAD 27 in September 2005.

Topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey generally are named for the most centrally located and/or well-known or largest community named on the map. Note that the largest, most well known community may not be centrally located. The name may be scale dependent, that is, the smaller the scale, the larger the area shown, and therefore, the more named features available to be selected for the map name.

To the extent possible, names are selected for communities that are wholly located within the map. If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is Washington East and Washington West, D.C.

If the map contains no communities or they are very rural, small, and scattered, it can be named for the most, prominent and centrally located well-known physical or natural feature such as a mountain. As with communities, the feature should be wholly located on the map.

Naming maps for linear features such as streams is generally avoided because such features usually pass through maps or meander on and off the maps. Occasionally, a map area is so devoid of named topography that a directional might be used, as in adding NW or SE to the name of an adjacent map, or even using the map name from a smaller scale series and applying the directional term.

Once you've gathered as many facts about family history and customs as possible, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical "mysteries."

Old and new maps can help you track down facts about a branch of your family. How? In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by the county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place may also show the county seat where useful data about your kin can be obtained.

Old maps can be particularly useful in this regard because pinpointing the name of the place where an ancestor lived can be like trying to hit a moving target. Many towns, counties, cities, and even countries have experienced numerous name changes over the years.

Though their names have changed, some of these places may be noted on an old map. The location of some others may be found in sources such as lists of abandoned post offices, local histories, government records, microfilm records, or clippings from old newspapers, old city directories, or old county atlases kept in the library archives of a town, city, or county in the region.

The USGS Geographic Names Project maintains an active and extensive program to add features not in the database, primarily through partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, and with other organizations having relevant data.

The GNIS Web-based data maintenance application allows authorized users to enter and edit feature data directly. Batch files of data also are accepted in most standard formats. Government agencies at all levels are encouraged to join the program. Other organizations and individuals will be considered on a case basis. Suggested corrections and additions to the data are accepted from any source for review, and upon validation, will be committed to the database.

The 30-year GNIS data compilation program began in 1976 and is continuing. The first phase (1976-1982) collected names (except roads and highways) from the USGS topographic maps, but many manmade and administrative features either are not shown or not named on these maps. Between 1982 and 1984, names from other Federal sources were collected, but only about 30 percent of the known names appeared on Federal sources (for manmade features it was a far smaller percentage).

A second extensive compilation phase was begun in 1982 and continues to collect, State by State, data from official State and local sources as well as from other pertinent current and historical materials. This process is about 90 percent complete (See GNIS status map). However, even for completed States and counties, the volume and quality of data varies.

While we anticipate discovering most additional entries (even historical locations) through the partnership program, there will always be those that escape detection. To submit an administrative name see this FAQ, or if you think you have found an error see this FAQ.

See the Geospatial One-Stop, Geographic Names Community for additional information concerning GNIS Web services and the data maintenance program or contact GNIS Manager.

Please send comments, bug reports, suggestions for improvements, questions, and any other communications to us at atlasmail@usgs.govWe appreciate your input and try to respond promptly to all messages.