Photograph of the Willamette River passing through downtown Portland, OR.
Why are there no ZIP Codes in the Geographic Names Information System database?
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) contains named communities, both incorporated and unincorporated, but these communities do not necessarily correspond to ZIP Code areas. ZIP Codes are developed and maintained by the U.S. Postal Service solely for the purpose of delivering mail. It is not within the mission, purpose, or resources of the GNIS to maintain ZIP Code information. You can use ZIP Code™ Lookup to find the codes.
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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...
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...
What are the official definitions of regions in the United States like "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names does not define the extents of geographic regions, nor are they recorded in Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The names and boundaries of regions are application-driven; that is, defined by a specific entity on a case-by-case basis according to a specific need, characteristics, or perception. Individuals might agree on the core of a region, but the...
Willamette River through downtown Portland, OR
Photograph of the Willamette River passing through downtown Portland, OR.
Related Content
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...
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...
What are the official definitions of regions in the United States like "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names does not define the extents of geographic regions, nor are they recorded in Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The names and boundaries of regions are application-driven; that is, defined by a specific entity on a case-by-case basis according to a specific need, characteristics, or perception. Individuals might agree on the core of a region, but the...
Willamette River through downtown Portland, OR
Photograph of the Willamette River passing through downtown Portland, OR.
Photograph of the Willamette River passing through downtown Portland, OR.