Bokan Mountain, Alaska.
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) utilizes 43 broad categories of feature classes defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics. Go to GNIS Domestic Names Feature Classes to see the full list.
These categories generally match dictionary definitions, but not always. The differences are thematic and highly subjective. For example, a lake is classified in the GNIS as a "natural body of inland water”, which is a feature description that can also apply to a reservoir, a pond, or a pool. All "linear flowing bodies of water" are classified as stream in GNIS. At least 121 other generic terms fit this broad category, including creek, river, run, fork, etc. Some might contend that a creek must flow into a river, but such hierarchies do not exist in the nation's lexicon. Similarly, the BGN does not have an official definition of hill, mountain, peak. In summary, there are no official feature classification standards.
Learn More: Geographic Names FAQs
Related Content
Is there a list of mountain peak elevations in the United States?
The USGS does not have specific data for current mountain peak elevations other than what was previously published in an Elevations and Distances in the United States booklet. To determine an approximate elevation at a specific point, use the spot elevation tool query in the in The National Map Viewer or search for features via the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Search Domestic...
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 for Federal use. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the...
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data is available for download via the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website . You can also download names using a query in Search Domestic Names . GNIS includes official names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data, which can be displayed, printed, and downloaded (in csv format) up to a maximum of 2,000 records. GNIS data can also be...
How can I name an unnamed natural feature?
Proposals to name an unnamed natural feature can be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and has developed policies governing issues such as commemorative naming, derogatory and offensive names, names in wilderness areas, long names, commercial names, and animal names. Please note...
How can I propose a name change for a natural feature?
Proposals to change the name of a natural feature should be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). There must, however, be a compelling reason to change it. The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason. Further, changing an existing name merely to correct or re...
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
Bokan Mountain, Alaska
Bokan Mountain, Alaska.
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano...
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano, Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano, Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Glacier Peak volcano, WA reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Gla...
Glacier Peak volcano, Washington reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Glacier, view from the south in late summer.
Glacier Peak volcano, Washington reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Glacier, view from the south in late summer.
Related Content
Is there a list of mountain peak elevations in the United States?
The USGS does not have specific data for current mountain peak elevations other than what was previously published in an Elevations and Distances in the United States booklet. To determine an approximate elevation at a specific point, use the spot elevation tool query in the in The National Map Viewer or search for features via the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Search Domestic...
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 for Federal use. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the...
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data is available for download via the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website . You can also download names using a query in Search Domestic Names . GNIS includes official names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data, which can be displayed, printed, and downloaded (in csv format) up to a maximum of 2,000 records. GNIS data can also be...
How can I name an unnamed natural feature?
Proposals to name an unnamed natural feature can be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and has developed policies governing issues such as commemorative naming, derogatory and offensive names, names in wilderness areas, long names, commercial names, and animal names. Please note...
How can I propose a name change for a natural feature?
Proposals to change the name of a natural feature should be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). There must, however, be a compelling reason to change it. The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason. Further, changing an existing name merely to correct or re...
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
Bokan Mountain, Alaska
Bokan Mountain, Alaska.
Bokan Mountain, Alaska.
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano...
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano, Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Lassen Peak viewed from the south at the summit of Brokeoff Volcano, Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Glacier Peak volcano, WA reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Gla...
Glacier Peak volcano, Washington reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Glacier, view from the south in late summer.
Glacier Peak volcano, Washington reflected in pond below the Whitechuck Glacier, view from the south in late summer.