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USGS Geographic Names Information System: United States and Territories Online Database
Entry ID: GNIS

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Summary

Abstract: The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is a Federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. The Board comprises representatives of Federal agencies concerned with geographic information, population, ecology, and management of public lands. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary ... of the Interior, the Board promulgates official geographic feature names with locative attributes as well as principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of domestic names, foreign names, Antarctic names, and undersea feature names.

The original program of names standardization addressed the complex issues of domestic geographic feature names during the surge of exploration, mining, and settlement of western territories after the American Civil War. Inconsistencies and contradictions among many names, spellings, and applications became a serious problem to surveyors, map makers, and scientists who required uniform, non-conflicting geographic nomenclature. President Benjamin Harrison signed an Executive Order establishing the Board and giving it authority to resolve unsettled geographic names questions. Decisions of the Board were accepted as binding by all departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The Board gradually expanded its interests to include foreign names and other areas of interest to the United States, a process that accelerated during World War II. In 1947, the Board was recreated by Congress in Public Law 80-242. The usefulness of standardizing (not regulating) geographic names has been proven time and again, and today more than 50 nations have some type of national names authority. The United Nations stated that "the best method to achieve international standardization is through strong programs of national standardization." Numerous nations established policies relevant to toponomy (the study of names) in their respective countries.

In this age of geographic information systems, the Internet, and homeland defense, geographic names data are even more important and more challenging. Applying the latest technology, the Board on Geographic Names continues its mission. It serves the Federal Government and the public as a central authority to which name problems, name inquiries, name changes, and new name proposals can be directed. In partnership with Federal, State, and local agencies, the Board provides a conduit through which uniform geographic name usage is applied and current names data are promulgated.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]

Description: The National Map is a consistent framework for geographic knowledge needed by the Nation. It provides public access to high-quality, geospatial data and information from multiple partners to help support decision making by resource managers and the public.

Link: GET SERVICE

Description: Search the Geographic Name Information System.

Service Citation

Originators: U.S. Geological Survey
Title: Geographic Names Information System
Provider: U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://geonames.usgs.gov/

Service Keywords

REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES >GAZETTEER

REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES >THESAURI

Science Keywords

HUMAN DIMENSIONS >BOUNDARIES >ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

HUMAN DIMENSIONS >BOUNDARIES >POLITICAL DIVISIONS

ISO Topic Category

BOUNDARIES
ELEVATION

Access Constraints No constraints on access.

Use Constraints Please credit U.S. Geological Survey as the Service Provider

Ancillary Keywords

GEOGRAPHY
FEATURES

Service Provider

DOI/USGS/GEOG/GNIS > Geographic Names Information System, Geography Division, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

Service Organization URL: http://geonames.usgs.gov/

Service Provider Personnel
Name: GNIS MANAGER Phone: (703) 648-4544 Email: gnis_manager at usgs.gov Contact Address: U.S. Geological Survey 523 National Center City: Reston Province or State: VA Postal Code: 20192 Country: USA

Distribution Media

Distribution_Media: Online (HTTP)
Distribution_Format: HTML
Fees: None

Personnel

TYLER B. STEVENS
Role: SERF AUTHOR
Phone: (301) 614-6898
Fax: 301-614-5268
Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory
City: Greenbelt
Province or State: MD
Postal Code: 20771
Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

SERF Creation Date:
SERF Last Revision Date: 2011-07-01
Future SERF Review Date: 2003-05-09

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