How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?

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  What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

  The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

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  What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

  The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

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  How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?

  Federal, state, local, and non-governmental data partners continuously submit new features and edit existing features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database. Changes--potentially consisting of hundreds to thousands of records per month--are validated by the staff and made available on the GNIS website and in the Web services.The downloadable files are revised every 6-12 months...

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  How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?

  Federal, state, local, and non-governmental data partners continuously submit new features and edit existing features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database. Changes--potentially consisting of hundreds to thousands of records per month--are validated by the staff and made available on the GNIS website and in the Web services.The downloadable files are revised every 6-12 months...

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  How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System Database?

  Please report possible errors to the Geographic Names Information System Manager at BGNEXEC@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results.Learn more: U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Principles, Policies, and Procedures

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  How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System Database?

  Please report possible errors to the Geographic Names Information System Manager at BGNEXEC@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results.Learn more: U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Principles, Policies, and Procedures

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  Does the Geographic Names Information System Database contain entries for obsolete names and historical geographic features that no longer exist?

  Yes, The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) actively seeks names of features that no longer exist. The term "historical" as used in the GNIS specifically means that the feature no longer exists on the landscape. An abandoned ghost town, for example, still exists so it is not historical. Historical features have no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any...

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  Does the Geographic Names Information System Database contain entries for obsolete names and historical geographic features that no longer exist?

  Yes, The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) actively seeks names of features that no longer exist. The term "historical" as used in the GNIS specifically means that the feature no longer exists on the landscape. An abandoned ghost town, for example, still exists so it is not historical. Historical features have no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any...

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  How accurate is the elevation data in the Geographic Names Information System Database? How was it measured?

  The elevation figures in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) are not official and do not represent precisely measured or surveyed values. Only the geographic name and locative attributes are official.Elevations are derived from data in The National Map. The data are interpolated from seamless raster elevation models for the given coordinates and might differ from elevations cited in...

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  How accurate is the elevation data in the Geographic Names Information System Database? How was it measured?

  The elevation figures in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) are not official and do not represent precisely measured or surveyed values. Only the geographic name and locative attributes are official.Elevations are derived from data in The National Map. The data are interpolated from seamless raster elevation models for the given coordinates and might differ from elevations cited in...

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  Why are there no entries for caves in the Geographic Names Information System Database?

  Geographic Names Informations System (GNIS) entries for caves are in the database but cannot be retrieved on the public website. In response to the 1988 National Cave Management Resources Act, Department of the Interior Regulation 43 (CFR Subtitle A, Part 37) forbids the release of information regarding the location of all caves on Federal lands.Currently, the GNIS database is not able to...

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  Why are there no entries for caves in the Geographic Names Information System Database?

  Geographic Names Informations System (GNIS) entries for caves are in the database but cannot be retrieved on the public website. In response to the 1988 National Cave Management Resources Act, Department of the Interior Regulation 43 (CFR Subtitle A, Part 37) forbids the release of information regarding the location of all caves on Federal lands.Currently, the GNIS database is not able to...

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  What location coordinates (datum) does the Geographic Names Information System use?

  All coordinates in the Geographic Names Information System database are in the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). They were converted from the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) in September 2005.

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  What location coordinates (datum) does the Geographic Names Information System use?

  All coordinates in the Geographic Names Information System database are in the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). They were converted from the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) in September 2005.

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• Multimedia
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• Publications
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  June 3, 2019

  The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization

  As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. The National Map is featuring direct links to new and improved GIS data access utilities on a refreshed data delivery homepage at https://w

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  National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program, The National Map - Data Delivery

  March 19, 2009

  The National Map - geographic names

  The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the territories and outlying areas of the United States, including Antarctica. It is the geographic names component of Th

  December 31, 1993

  Geographic Names Information System

• News
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  August 27, 2019

  New names at Newberry drawn from CalVO geologist's mapping

  In June 2019, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved twenty-five new formal geographic names at Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. The names...

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  July 4, 2017

  Mapping Yorktown

  If urban legend is correct, the world turned upside down on October 19, 1781. The Patriots defeated the British at the Siege of Yorktown, paving the...

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  September 1, 2015

  Old Name Officially Returns to Nation's Highest Peak

  The story of America is told by the names on the land. When you hear names like Kentucky and Kennesaw, Klamath and Kodiak, your mind immediately...

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