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Projects > G - I > GNIS

Preferred term

GNIS  

Definition

  • Background 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 on approximately 2 million physical and cultural geographic features in the United States. The Federally recognized name of each feature described in the data base is identified, and references are made to a feature's location by State, county, and geographic coordinates. The purpose of the GNIS database development was to promote geographic feature name standardization and to serve as the U.S.'s official repository of domestic geographic names information (see the Introduction section of the Geographic Names Information System Data Users Guide for more details). Information on foreign geographic feature names can be obtained from the GEOnet Names Server, which is developed and maintained by the National Imagery Mapping Agency (NIMA), formerly the Defense Mapping Agency. The GNIS is being compiled in two phases. Phase one is complete for all States, territories and outlying areas under U.S. jurisdiction. This phase entailed the collection of feature names from USGS large-scale topographic maps, U.S. Forest Service maps, Office of Coast Survey charts, Federal Aviation Administration files, Federal Communications Commission files, and files of the Army Corps of Engineers. As of September, 1996, phase two of the compilation is 45 percent complete and 30 percent in progress for all States, territories, and outlying areas under U.S. jurisdiction. The second phase captures names from State, locally and privately published current and historical maps, charts, and literature. Standard reports and digital data sets of GNIS geographic name records are available for each State, territory or outlying area file. Also available are two thematic extracts of the GNIS database. The U.S. Populated Places File lists information about all cities and towns throughout the United States and the U.S. Concise File lists information about major physical and cultural features throughout the United States. Extent of Coverage The GNIS coverage area includes the United States, U.S. territories and outlying areas which include: Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. In addition, names information for the freely associated areas of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, are also included in GNIS coverage Data Characteristics The GNIS contains information about physical and cultural geographic features identified by a proper name, with the exception that most roads and highways are not included in GNIS. The following information about a selected geographic feature is retrievable by searching the Online GNIS Database. Federally recognized feature name. Feature type. Elevation of most populated places and summits (i.e., mountain peaks, etc.). Estimated 1994 population of cities and towns. State(s) and county(s) in which the feature is located. Latitude and longitude of the feature location. List of USGS 7.5-minute by 7.5-minute topographic maps on which the feature is shown. Names other than the federally recognized name by which the feature may be known. General instructions, field definitions and help documentation are included in the GNIS Online Database to assist usage. The coordinate extent for the GNIS Online Database is: -180.00 west longitude 180.00 east longitude 72.00 north latitude -12.00 south latitude For more information, link to "http://edc.usgs.gov/glis/hyper/guide/gnis" For the GNIS query form, link to "http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form" (en)

Broader concept

URI

https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/6058a1cc-0527-4040-b4f3-dadad2e916ec

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