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, and the territories and outlying areas of the United States, including Antarctica. GNIS is the geographic names component of The National Map.
GNIS contains records on more than 2 million geographic names in the United States, including populated places, schools, lakes, streams, valleys, and ridges. It includes all feature types except for road and highway names.
GNIS provides a fast search through its Query Form for the United States and Its Territories.
A search for a feature on GNIS will provide topographic map names, longitude and latitude, and feature information. There are also links to topographic maps as well as aerial photography via the National Map and other sources.
Related Content
Can I add new entries to the Geographic Names Information System for manmade and administrative features, such as churches, cemeteries, schools, shopping centers, etc.?
How can I propose a name change for a natural feature?
How can I name an unnamed natural feature?
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
What is the most common city/town name in the United States?
How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?
Mapping traditional place names along the Koyukuk River: Koyukuk, Huslia, and Hughes, Western Interior Alaska
Koyukon Athabascan peoples have settled along the Koyukuk River in Western Interior Alaska for thousands of years using the surrounding landscape for subsistence and cultural resources. However, recent changes in climate, technology, resource availability, and way of life have affected land-use patterns in the region, as well as use of the Denaakk...
McCloskey, Sarah E.; Jones, Benjamin M.
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...
Yost, Lou; Carswell, William J.
Commemorative naming in the United States
Naming is a basic human tendency; it allows us to perceive the distinct identities of people and places and conveys those characteristics that make them unique. The name of a geographic feature can describe spectacular physical attributes (such as the Grand Canyon or Half Dome in Yosemite National Park), indicate cultural or historical...
Geographic names information system
This Data Users Guide is the result of the efforts of a number of people who have contributed to the research, development, and implementation of the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Roger L. Payne prepared and wrote this Data Users Guide, which is designed to provide a description of the data in each of the data elements of the four...
Geographic Names Information System
Payne, Roger L.
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 way for American Independence and starting an enduring trend for town names.
Highest Point East of Rockies Gets New Name
Black Elk Peak replaces Harney Peak in federal records
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 starts to turn over all manner of associated thoughts of what you may have experienced or learned or even what you may imagine about that place.
Wabash River at New Harmony, IN - town and bridge signs
Wabash River at New Harmony, IN - town and bridge signs
Denver Federal Center Sign
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado
Shaded relief and geographic names features from 2005 US Topo for Dena
Shaded relief and geographic names features from 2005 US Topo for Denali, Alaska
CO Morrison US Topo (Browse Image for Story Map)
CO Morrison US Topo (Browse Image for Story Map)
US Topo
US Topo is the next generation of topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Arranged in the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US Topo maps are designed to look and feel (and perform) like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. In contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide modern technical advantages
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DC Washington West 2011 US Topo (Browse Image for Story Map)
DC Washington West 2011 US Topo (Browse Image for Story Map)
Rocky Mountain National Park
Scenic shots of Rocky Mountain National Park, South park entrance sign.
Wilderness Sign
Wilderness sign beside a mountain hiking trail in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This image was taken while the photographer was participating in the 2009 Joint Annual Meeting of these leading scientific societies: Mycological Society of America, American Bryological and Lichenological Society, American Fern Society, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, and the
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Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
A Sign for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Example geographic names data
Example geographic names data. In support of the United States Board on Geographic Names, the USGS maintains the Federal authoritative source of official geographic feature names, known as the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). USGS topographic maps and The National Map Viewer display selected feature names, including physical and cultural features such
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