U.S. Geological Survey
19810501
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for Connecticut
vector digital data
Reston, VA
U.S. Geological Survey
http://geonames.usgs.gov/
http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), contains information about physical and cultural geographic features in the United States and associated areas, both current and historical, but not including roads and highways. The database also contains geographic names in Antarctica. The database holds the Federally recognized name of each feature and defines the location of the feature by state, county, USGS topographic map, and geographic coordinates. Other feature attributes include names or spellings other than the official name, feature designations, feature class, historical and descriptive information, and for some categories of features the geometric boundaries. The database assigns a unique feature identifier, a random number, that is a key for accessing, integrating, or reconciling GNIS data with other data sets. The GNIS is our Nation's official repository of domestic geographic feature names information.
The GNIS is the official vehicle for geographic names use by the Federal Government and the source for applying geographic names to Federal maps & other products. The GNIS supports the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), a Federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947. The Board serves the Federal Government, other government agencies, and the public as the central authority to which name inquiries, name issues, and new name proposals can be directed. The GNIS provides the data to government agencies and to the public. The GNIS also supports the U.S. Geological Survey National Map (http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/) as the source for the gazetteer search in The National Map viewer and as an active layer in The National Map for Federal boundaries and geographic features not available from state or local sources.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names Comprised of representatives of Federal agencies, appointed for 2-year terms, the Board is authorized to establish and maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary of the Interior, the Board has developed principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of both domestic and foreign geographic names as well as undersea and Antarctic feature names.
1974
Present
ground condition
As needed
-73.903983
-71.567862
42.114983
40.979788
None
Feature identification
Geographic feature
Geographical feature
Geographic name
Geographical name
Feature name
Official feature name
Place name
Variant name
Feature location
Feature coordinates
Feature state
Feature county
Feature class
Feature history
Feature description
Feature designation
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1995, Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and Their Principal Administrative Divisions (Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 10-4): Washington, D.C., National Institute of Standards and Technology.
United States
State
County
Territory
Outlying Area
Topographic Map
Commonwealth
Parish
Borough
Census Area
Municipio
District
Populated Place
Antarctica
None
Current
Historical
None
None. Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data.
Roger L. Payne
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Project
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4544
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Monday through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time
http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/usgsgeographicnamesfullviiew.gif
Full view of Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for Connecticut point features
GIF
http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/usgsgeographicnamesdetailviiew.gif
Detail view of GNIS showing point features symbolized by CLASS and labeled with FEATURE_NAME attribute.
GIF
http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/usgsgeographicnamesdetailviiewtopo.gif
Detail view of GNIS showing point features symbolized by CLASS and labeled with FEATURE_NAME attribute and USGS 7.5 minute topo map displayed in the background. Structures and annotation appearing on the USGS 7.5 minute topo map are represented as point features in GNIS.
GIF
http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/usgsgeographicnamesdetailviiewbase.gif
Detail view of GNIS labeled with FEATURE_NAME attribute and hydrography and transporation information displayed in the background. Note, GNIS point features are intentionally not symbolized, only labeled.
GIF
The Geographic Names Information System was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
These data are maintained by the State of Connecticut using ArcGIS software developed by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) in a Microsoft Windows operating system environment.
U.S. Geological Survey
Unknown
The National Map
The National Map, is a seamless, continuously maintained set of public domain geographic base information that serves as a foundation for integrating, sharing, and using other data easily and consistently. The National Map viewer is a Web-enabled portal to all of the geospatial information contained in The National Map. This portal not only supports on-line access to the geospatial information, but also allows the download of digital data and creation of cartographic products. The GNIS supports The National Map as the source for the gazetteer search in The National Map viewer and as an active layer in The National Map for Federal boundaries and other geographic features not available from state or local sources.
http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/
U.S. Geological Survey
Unknown
The National Atlas
The National Atlas summarizes national-scale geographical information and delivers easy to use, map-like views of America's natural and sociocultural landscapes. This digital version revises a large bound collection of paper maps that was published in 1970. The Atlas serves a diverse populace as an essential reference, a framework for information discovery, an instrument of education, an aid in research, and a reliable source of government information. It includes stimulating products and services for children and adults to understand complex relationships among environments, places, and people. It contributes to our knowledge of the environmental, resource, demographic, economic, social, political, and historical dimensions of American life. Though it cannot display detailed map information, the Atlas directs users to other sources for this information. The GNIS provides geographic feature, location, and attribute data to the National Atlas.
http://nationalatlas.gov/
U.S. Geological Survey
Unknown
The National Hydrography Dataset
The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data that contains information about surface water features such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, springs and wells. Within the NHD, surface water features are combined to form "reaches," which provide the framework for linking water-related data to the NHD surface water drainage network. These linkages enable the analysis and display of these water-related data in upstream and downstream order. The GNIS provides geographic feature name data to the National Hydrography Dataset.
http://nhd.usgs.gov/
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
Unknown
GEOnet Names Server
The GEOnet Names Server (GNS) provides access to the National Imagery and Mapping Agency's (NIMA) database of foreign geographic feature names. The database is the official repository of foreign place-name decisions approved by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (US BGN). Approximately 20,000 of the database's features are updated monthly.
http://164.214.2.59/gns/html/
U.S. Census Bureau
Unknown
LandView
LandView is a desktop mapping system that searches and maps selected information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Census Bureau, and the U.S. Geological Survey. LandView contains a large subset of GNIS feature, location, and attribute data for the United States. It is available on DVD. See the LandView web site for information concerning the latest edition and ordering.
http://landview.census.gov/
During Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10% of the entries in the system were visually verified against the compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure an accuracy rate of at least 95%. Subsequent data compilation and input processes ensure accuracy with programmed validation checks for format and content, visual examination, and spot checks of data.
During Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10% of the entries in the system were visually verified against the compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure logical consistency of locative references (geographic coordinates, topographic map, and county. Subsequent data compilation and input processes include programmed validation checks for logical consistency, visual examination, and spot checks of data.
This dataset contains information about physical and cultural geographic features identified by a proper name and location, with the exception of most roads and highways.
Accuracy of these digital data is based upon the use of source graphics which are compiled to meet National Map Accuracy Standards. Comparison to the graphic source is used as control to assess digital positional accuracy.
U.S. Geological Survey
Unknown
1:24,000-scale topographic maps
Map
Reston, VA
U.S. Geological Survey
24000
paper
unknown
present
publication date
USGS
Feature names and attribute data.
U.S. Geological Survey
Unpublished material
Records of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names
card, paper, and electronic files
1890
present
Creation date
USBGN
Feature names and attribute information
U.S. Forest Service
Unknown
U.S. Forest Service 1:24,000-scale topographic maps and visitor maps
24000
paper
Unknown
Present
Publication date
USFS
Feature names and attribute information
National Ocean Service
Unknown
National Ocean Service charts
paper
Unknown
Present
Publication date
NOAA/NOS
Feature names and attribute information
State Names Authorities
Council of Geographic Names Authorities (COGNA)
National Park Service (NPS)
Federal, state and local agencies
Public
Other sources
Unknown
Unknown
GNIS accepts data or data changes for consideration from any source, and upon validation by the Board on Geographic Names or the appropriate Federal or state agency, will enter the data into the database.
Multiple electronic or text media types.
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Various
Feature names and attribute information
U.S. Geological Survey
20060112
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for Connecticut
vector digital data
Reston, VA
U.S. Geological Survey
24000
disc
1890
present
publication date
USGS_Geographic_Name
Contains point locations for all Connecticut data downloaded from the Geographic Names Information System GNIS at http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/download_data.htm in a tab delimited text (.txt) file named CTDEC.txt. USGS_Geographic Name is a GeoDatabase Feature Class.
GNIS Phase I data compilation and edit - Feature name and attribute data were collected from the largest-scale USGS topographic maps available. These data are compared to the records of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
USGS
USBGN
198105
Roger L. Payne
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Project
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4544
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Monday through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time
GNIS Phase II data compilation and edit - Feature name and attribute data are collected from official state and local sources and other approved sources including historical maps and documents.
USGS
USBGN
Not complete
Louis A. Yost
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Information Section
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4552
lyost@usgs.gov
0900-1700 Eastern time
GNIS Maintenance program - Federal and state maintenance cooperators submit new and corrected data in conjunction with their mapping and geographical information system data maintenance programs. Data is submitted using web data entry and edit forms and batch file processes. Agencies interested in participating in this program should contact the individual specified below.
USGS
USBGN
USFS
Various
NOAA/NOS
Not complete
Robin D. Worcester
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Information Section
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4551
rworcest@usgs.gov
0900-1700 Eastern time
National Map partnerships - As part of The USGS National Map program, the Geographic Names Office enters into partnerships with state names authorities and state and local GIS agencies to integrate vertically name, location, and attribute data in the GNIS with state and local datasets. These partnerships utilize GIS and web technology to automate and simplify data maintenance, ensure data consistency, integrity, and accuracy, and meet the goals of the Board on Geographic Names for national names standardization. Agencies interested in participating in this program should contact the individual specified below.
Not complete
Roger L. Payne
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Project
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4544
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Monday through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time
Create GeoDatabase Feature Class - Downloaded the Connecticut data extract from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) at http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/download_data.htm as a tab delimited text (.txt) file named CT_DEC.txt.The downloaded file contain primary feature attributes, but do not contain all attributes. The downloaded file reflects GNIS data last updated by USGS on September 19, 2006. Imported tab delimited data into MS Excel, imported the MS Excel data into an ESRI Personal Geodatabase as a conventional MS Access data table, and using ESRI ArcCatalog software registered the MS Access data table as a Personal GeoDatabase data table. Using ESRI ArcMap software, created a point event layer based on the Primary_lat_dec and Primary_lon_dec attribute values in the data table, projected the point data to the Connecticut State Plane Coordinate System, NAD 83 (map units feet), and exported the data to a point Feature Class named USGS_Geographic_Name in the ESRI Personal Geodatabase. Downloaded metadata for the GNIS data in XML format from http://geonames.usgs.gov/GNIS.html and, using ArcCatalog softwre, imported the metadata document to describe the USGS_Geographic_Name point Feature Class. Modified the metadata to reflect these processing steps and enumerate the Class attribute as described in http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/feature_class.htm.
CT_DECI.txt
20070112
USGS_Geographic_Name
State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection
Howie Sternberg
mailing and physical address
79 Elm Street
Hartford
Connecticut
06106
USA
860-424-3540
Features are located by State and county, and related to the USGS topographic map on which the feature is shown.
Vector
Entity point
17396
Area point
Node, planar graph
Complete chain
GT-polygon composed of chains
Lambert Conformal ConicLambert Conformal Conic41.20000041.866667-72.75000040.833333999999.999996499999.999998
coordinate pair
0.000250
0.000250
survey feet
North American Datum of 1983
Geodetic Reference System 80
6378137.000000
298.257222
1.000000
Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for Connecticut
A geographic feature is any relatively permanent part of the natural or manmade landscape or seascape that has recognizable identity within a particular cultural context. The primary attributes of a geographic feature are name and location.
Principles, Policies, and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth, Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne, Executive Secretary, United States Board on Geographic Names and Domestic Geographic Names, Third printing (revised) and Preliminary Online Edition, 1997 (http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).
OBJECTID
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
FEATURE_ID
Feature Identification- A random unique identifying number for a geographic feature. This number is assigned by the Geographic Names Information System and used as a relational key for uniquely identifying, indexing, and searching geographic features and for integrating or reconciling GNIS data with other data sets. The number has no information content.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
1
9,999,999,999
FEATURE_NAME
Feature Name - A geographic feature name and its written form and application approved or recognized as official by the United States Board on Geographic Names for use throughout the Federal Government. The official name is established either by policy or by decision of the Board on Geographic Names. A geographic feature may have only one official name.
Principles, Policies, and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth, Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne, Executive Secretary, United States Board on Geographic Names and Domestic Geographic Names, Third printing (revised) and Preliminary Online Edition, 1997 (http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).
Principles, Policies, and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names
Principles, Policies, and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names, By Donald J. Orth, Executive Secretary, Domestic Geographic Names (emeritus) and Roger L. Payne, Executive Secretary, United States Board on Geographic Names and Domestic Geographic Names, Third printing (revised) and Preliminary Online Edition, 1997 (http://geonames.usgs.gov/pppdgn.html).
18900804
CLASS
Feature Class - A feature class is a designation for a group of features in a broadly defined descriptive category. All features are assigned to one and only one class. They do not individually classify all kinds of cultural and natural features. By design, there are no Federal or industry standards or guidelines for feature classification. These classifications originally were developed for mainframe file structure search purposes. Although the terms are generally consistent with dictionary definitions, they may not conform exactly and are not always intuitive. Feature class values and definitions for the Geographic Names Information System from Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523 (gnis_manager@usgs.gov).
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523 (gnis_manager@usgs.gov).
airport
Manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft (airfield, airstrip, landing field, landing strip).
USGS
arch
Natural arch-like opening in a rock mass (bridge, natural bridge, sea arch).
USGS
area
Any one of several areally extensive natural features not included in other categories (badlands, barren, delta, fan, garden).
USGS
arroyo
Watercourse or channel through which water may occasionally flow (coulee, draw, gully, wash).
USGS
bar
Natural accumulation of sand, gravel, or alluvium forming an underwater or exposed embankment (ledge, reef, sandbar, shoal, spit).
USGS
basin
Natural depression or relatively low area enclosed by higher land (amphitheater, cirque, pit, sink).
USGS
bay
Indentation of a coastline or shoreline enclosing a part of a body of water; a body of water partly surrounded by land (arm, bight, cove, estuary, gulf, inlet, sound).
USGS
beach
The sloping shore along a body of water that is washed by waves or tides and is usually covered by sand or gravel (coast, shore, strand).
USGS
bench
Area of relatively level land on the flank of an elevation such as a hill, ridge, or mountain where the slope of the land rises on one side and descends on the opposite side (level).
USGS
bend
Curve in the course of a stream and (or) the land within the curve; a curve in a linear body of water (bottom, loop, meander).
USGS
bridge
Manmade structure carrying a trail, road, or other transportation system across a body of water or depression (causeway, overpass, trestle).
USGS
building
A manmade structure with walls and a roof for protection of people and (or) materials, but not including church, hospital, or school.
USGS
canal
Manmade waterway used by watercraft or for drainage, irrigation, mining, or water power (ditch, lateral).
USGS
cape
Projection of land extending into a body of water (lea, neck, peninsula, point).
USGS
cemetery
A place or area for burying the dead (burial, burying ground, grave, memorial garden).
USGS
channel
Linear deep part of a body of water through which the main volume of water flows and is frequently used as aroute for watercraft (passage, reach, strait, thoroughfare, throughfare).
USGS
church
A building used for religious worship (chapel, mosque, synagogue, tabernacle, temple).
USGS
civil
A political division formed for administrative purposes (borough, county, municipio, parish, town, township).
USGS
crater
Circular-shaped depression at the summit of a volcanic cone or one on the surface of the land caused by the impact of a meteorite; a manmade depression caused by an explosion (caldera, lua).
USGS
crossing
A place where two or more routes of transportation form a junction or intersection (overpass, underpass).
USGS
dam
Water barrier or embankment built across the course of a stream or into a body of water to control and (or) impound the flow of water (breakwater, dike, jetty)
USGS
falls
Perpendicular or very steep fall of water in the course of a stream (cascade, cataract, waterfall).
USGS
flat
Relative level area within a region of greater relief (clearing, glade, playa).
USGS
forest
Bounded area of woods, forest, or grassland under the administration of a political agency (see "woods") (national forest, national grasslands, State forest).
USGS
gap
Low point or opening between hills or mountains or in a ridge or mountain range (col, notch, pass, saddle, water gap, wind gap).
USGS
geyser
Eruptive spring from which hot water and (or) steam and in some cases mud are periodically thrown.
USGS
glacier
Body or stream of ice moving outward and downslope from an area of accumulation; an area of relatively permanent snow or ice on the top or side of a mountain or mountainous area (icefield, ice patch, snow patch).
USGS
gut
Relatively small coastal waterway connecting larger bodies of water or other waterways (creek, inlet, slough).
USGS
harbor
Sheltered area of water where ships or other watercraft can anchor or dock (hono, port, roads, roadstead).
USGS
hospital
Building where the sick or injured may receive medical or surgical attention (infirmary).
USGS
island
Area of dry or relatively dry land surrounded by water or low wetland (archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock, hummock, isla, isle, key, moku, rock).
USGS
isthmus
Narrow section of land in a body of water connecting two larger land areas.
USGS
lake
Natural body of inland water (backwater, lac, lagoon, laguna, pond, pool, resaca, waterhole).
USGS
lava
Formations resulting from the consolidation of molten rock on the surface of the Earth (kepula, lava flow).
USGS
levee
Natural or manmade embankment flanking a stream (bank, berm).
USGS
locale
Place at which there is or was human activity; it does not include populated places, mines, and dams (battlefield, crossroad, camp, farm, ghost town, landing, railroad siding, ranch, ruins, site, station, windmill).
USGS
mine
Place or area from which commercial minerals are or were removed from the Earth; not including oilfield (pit, quarry, shaft).
USGS
military (historical)
Place or facility formerly used for various aspects of or relating to military activity.
USGS
oilfield
Area where petroleum is or was removed from the Earth.
USGS
other
Category for miscellaneous named entities that cannot readily be placed in the other feature classes listed here.
USGS
park
Place or area set aside for recreation or preservation of a cultural or natural resource and under some form of government administration; not including National or State forests or Reserves (national historical landmark, national park, State park, wilderness area).
USGS
pillar
Vertical, standing, often spire-shaped, natural rock formation (chimney, monument, pinnacle, pohaku, rock tower).
USGS
plain
A region of general uniform slope, comparatively level and of considerable extent (grassland, highland, kula, plateau, upland).
USGS
Post Office
(Formerly abbreviated as PO) an official facility of the U.S. Postal Service used for processing and distributing mail and other postal material.
USGS
Populated Place
(Formerly abbreviated as ppl) place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village).
USGS
range
Chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra).
USGS
rapids
Fast-flowing section of a stream, often shallow and with exposed rock or boulders (riffle, ripple).
USGS
reserve
A tract of land set aside for a specific use (does not include forests, civil divisions, parks).
USGS
reservoir
Artificially impounded body of water (lake, tank).
USGS
ridge
Elevation with a narrow, elongated crest which can be part of a hill or mountain (crest, cuesta, escarpment, hogback, lae, rim, spur).
USGS
school
Building or group of buildings used as an institution for study, teaching, and learning (academy, college, high school, university).
USGS
sea
Large body of salt water (gulf, ocean).
USGS
spring
Place where underground water flows naturally to the surface of the Earth (seep).
USGS
stream
Linear body of water flowing on the Earth's surface (anabranch, awawa, bayou, branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, river, run, slough).
USGS
summit
Prominent elevation rising above the surrounding level of the Earth's surface; does not include pillars, ridges, or ranges (ahu, berg, bald, butte, cerro, colina, cone, cumbre, dome, head, hill, horn, knob, knoll, mauna, mesa, mesita, mound, mount, mountain, peak, puu, rock, sugarloaf, table, volcano).
USGS
swamp
Poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy, possibly covered with open water (bog, cienega, marais, marsh, pocosin).
USGS
tower
A manmade structure, higher than its diameter, generally used for observation, storage, or electronic transmission.
USGS
trail
Route for passage from one point to another; does not include roads or highways (jeep trail, path, ski trail).
USGS
tunnel
Linear underground passageway open at both ends.
USGS
valley
Linear depression in the Earth's surface that generally slopes from one end to the other (barranca, canyon, chasm, cove, draw, glen, gorge, gulch, gulf, hollow, ravine).
USGS
well
Manmade shaft or hole in the Earth's surface used to obtain fluid or gaseous materials.
USGS
woods
Small area covered with a dense growth of trees; does not include an area of trees under the administration of a political agency (see "forest").
USGS
ST_ALPHA
State - The state or states or state equivalents containing the geographic feature. This dataset contains features in States of the United States, the District of Columbia, territories, outlying areas of the United States, and associated areas. This is relational data, not spatial data. The data owner specifies the value(s) associated with each geographic feature. Values are represented by state name, state numeric code, and state alpha code. This data may be particularly helpful for features having no known, recognized, standard, or available boundary data.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas.
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 5-2, Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas.
ST_NUM
State Number - The state or states or state equivalents containing the geographic feature. This dataset contains features in States of the United States, the District of Columbia, territories, outlying areas of the United States, and associated areas. This is relational data, not spatial data. The data owner specifies the value(s) associated with each geographic feature. Values are represented by state name, state numeric code, and state alpha code. This data may be particularly helpful for features having no known, recognized, standard, or available boundary data.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas.
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 5-2, Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas.
COUNTY
County - The county or counties or county equivalents containing the geographic feature. This dataset contains features in counties or county equivalents of the states of the United States, the District of Columbia, territories, outlying areas of the United States, and associated areas. This is relational data, not spatial data. The data owner specifies the value(s) associated with each geographic feature. Values are represented by county name and county numeric code. This data applies particularly to features for which there is no known, recognized, standard, or available boundary data.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas.
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 6-4, Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas.
COUNTY_NUM
County Number - The county or counties or county equivalents containing the geographic feature. This dataset contains features in counties or county equivalents of the states of the United States, the District of Columbia, territories, outlying areas of the United States, and associated areas. This is relational data, not spatial data. The data owner specifies the value(s) associated with each geographic feature. Values are represented by county name and county numeric code. This data applies particularly to features for which there is no known, recognized, standard, or available boundary data.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas.
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 6-4, Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas.
PRIMARY_LAT_DMS
Primary Point Latitude - The latitude of a point locating a geographic feature, also termed the feature application. Along with the feature name, the application is approved or recognized as official either by policy or by decision of the United States Board on Geographic Names for use throughout the Federal Government. A geographic feature may have only one primary point regardless of size or extent. A point feature is defined by this single set of coordinates on the USGS National Base Map series at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000. The primary point of a linear feature depends on the feature class. If feature class equals stream, valley or arroyo, the primary point is the mouth. The primary point of a canal, channel, or trail is the center. The primary point of a ridge is the highest point. The primary point of an areal feature is the approximate geographic center with the following exceptions: The primary point of a populated place is the center of original place such as the city or town hall, main post office, or town square regardless of changes over time. The primary point of a reservoir is the center of the dam. The primary point of a summit, range, ridge, or pillar is the highest point. The primary point has a sequence number of 1. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. An application may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as a point in a geographic information system, and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Latitude values in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.
1890
PRIMARY_LON_DMS
Primary Point Longitude - The longitude of a point locating a geographic feature, also termed the feature "application." Along with the feature name, the application is approved or recognized as official either by policy or by decision of the United States Board on Geographic Names for use throughout the Federal Government. A geographic feature may have only one primary point regardless of size or extent. A point feature is defined by this single set of coordinates on the USGS National Base Map series at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000. The primary point of a linear feature depends on the feature class. If feature class equals stream, valley or arroyo, the primary point is the mouth. The primary point of a canal, channel, or trail is the center. The primary point of a ridge is the highest point. The primary point of an areal feature is the approximate geographic center with the following exceptions: The primary point of a populated place is the center of original place such as the city or town hall, main post office, or town square regardless of changes over time. The primary point of a reservoir is the center of the dam. The primary point of a summit, range, ridge, or pillar is the highest point. The primary point has a sequence number of 1. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. An application may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as a point in a geographic information system, and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Longitude values in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.
1890
PRIMARY_LAT_DEC
Primary Point Latitude (decimal degrees) - The latitude of a point locating a geographic feature, also termed the feature application. Along with the feature name, the application is approved or recognized as official either by policy or by decision of the United States Board on Geographic Names for use throughout the Federal Government. A geographic feature may have only one primary point regardless of size or extent. A point feature is defined by this single set of coordinates on the USGS National Base Map series at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000. The primary point of a linear feature depends on the feature class. If feature class equals stream, valley or arroyo, the primary point is the mouth. The primary point of a canal, channel, or trail is the center. The primary point of a ridge is the highest point. The primary point of an areal feature is the approximate geographic center with the following exceptions: The primary point of a populated place is the center of original place such as the city or town hall, main post office, or town square regardless of changes over time. The primary point of a reservoir is the center of the dam. The primary point of a summit, range, ridge, or pillar is the highest point. The primary point has a sequence number of 1. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. An application may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as a point in a geographic information system, and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
-90.00000 latitude
72.00000 latitude
Decimal degrees
0.00001
1890
PRIMARY_LON_DEC
Primary Point Longitude (decimal degrees) - The longitude of a point locating a geographic feature, also termed the feature "application." Along with the feature name, the application is approved or recognized as official either by policy or by decision of the United States Board on Geographic Names for use throughout the Federal Government. A geographic feature may have only one primary point regardless of size or extent. A point feature is defined by this single set of coordinates on the USGS National Base Map series at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000. The primary point of a linear feature depends on the feature class. If feature class equals stream, valley or arroyo, the primary point is the mouth. The primary point of a canal, channel, or trail is the center. The primary point of a ridge is the highest point. The primary point of an areal feature is the approximate geographic center with the following exceptions: The primary point of a populated place is the center of original place such as the city or town hall, main post office, or town square regardless of changes over time. The primary point of a reservoir is the center of the dam. The primary point of a summit, range, ridge, or pillar is the highest point. The primary point has a sequence number of 1. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. An application may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as a point in a geographic information system, and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
-180.00000 longitude
180.00000 longitude
Decimal degrees
0.00001
1890
SOURCE_LAT_DMS
Secondary Point Latitude - The latitude of a point locating a linear or areal geographic feature on a map of the USGS National Base Map series (at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000) other than the map containing the primary point. With one exception (i.e., the point representing the source of a stream, valley or arroyo may be on the same map as the primary point) a feature is assigned one point per map on which it is located. The points are sequenced. Sequence number one is always the primary point, and the remaining points are secondary points. For a linear feature with feature class equal to valley, stream, or arroyo, the points are sequenced from mouth toward the source and the highest sequence number is the source. For other linear features and for areal features, secondary points are sequenced according to guidelines of the Geographic Names Office. The location of the point on the feature within the map is arbitrary. This method of associating features with maps was conceived prior to geographic information system technology and has been retained as a useful approximation of feature extent and a reference to printed maps. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. Secondary points may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as points in a geographic information system and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Latitude values in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.
1890
SOURCE_LON_DMS
Secondary Point Longitude - The longitude of a point locating a linear or areal geographic feature on a map of the USGS National Base Map series (at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000) other than the map containing the primary point. With one exception (i.e., the point representing the source of a stream, valley or arroyo may be on the same map as the primary point) a feature is assigned one point per map on which it is located. The points are sequenced. Sequence number one is always the primary point, and the remaining points are secondary points. For a linear feature with feature class equal to valley, stream, or arroyo, the points are sequenced from mouth toward the source and the highest sequence number is the source. For other linear features and for areal features, secondary points are sequenced according to guidelines of the Geographic Names Office. The location of the point on the feature within the map is arbitrary. This method of associating features with maps was conceived prior to geographic information system technology and has been retained as a useful approximation of feature extent and a reference to printed maps. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. Secondary points may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as points in a geographic information system and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
Longitude values in Degrees, Minutes and Seconds.
1890
SOURCE_LAT_DEC
Secondary Point Latitude (decimal degrees) - The latitude of a point locating a linear or areal geographic feature on a map of the USGS National Base Map series (at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000) other than the map containing the primary point. With one exception (i.e., the point representing the source of a stream, valley or arroyo may be on the same map as the primary point) a feature is assigned one point per map on which it is located. The points are sequenced. Sequence number one is always the primary point, and the remaining points are secondary points. For a linear feature with feature class equal to valley, stream, or arroyo, the points are sequenced from mouth toward the source and the highest sequence number is the source. For other linear features and for areal features, secondary points are sequenced according to guidelines of the Geographic Names Office. The location of the point on the feature within the map is arbitrary. This method of associating features with maps was conceived prior to geographic information system technology and has been retained as a useful approximation of feature extent and a reference to printed maps. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. Secondary points may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as points in a geographic information system and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
-90.00000 latitude
72.00000 latitude
Decimal degrees
0.00001
1890
SOURCE_LON_DEC
Secondary Point Longitude (decimal degrees) - The longitude of a point locating a linear or areal geographic feature on a map of the USGS National Base Map series (at a scale of 1:24000 or 1:25000) other than the map containing the primary point. With one exception (i.e., the point representing the source of a stream, valley or arroyo may be on the same map as the primary point) a feature is assigned one point per map on which it is located. The points are sequenced. Sequence number one is always the primary point, and the remaining points are secondary points. For a linear feature with feature class equal to valley, stream, or arroyo, the points are sequenced from mouth toward the source and the highest sequence number is the source. For other linear features and for areal features, secondary points are sequenced according to guidelines of the Geographic Names Office. The location of the point on the feature within the map is arbitrary. This method of associating features with maps was conceived prior to geographic information system technology and has been retained as a useful approximation of feature extent and a reference to printed maps. These points do not represent boundaries or geometries and should not be confused with them. Secondary points may be displayed as latitude and longitude data or as points in a geographic information system and may be applied as label points.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
-180.00000 longitude
180.00000 longitude
Decimal degrees
0.00001
1890
ELEV_METERS
Elevation (in meters) - The elevation above sea level of the feature at the primary point (positive number) or depth of a feature at the lowest point below sea level (negative number). Elevations are entered into the Geographic Names Information System primarily from USGS maps and other textual sources. Elevation is for information only and is not to be considered authoritative.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
-13,500
20,500
Feet
MAP_NAME
USGS Product Name - The name of the USGS electronic or printed products containing the representation of the features. Products include standard USGS 7.5x7.5 degree quadrangle maps as well as digital electronic products.
Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
The official database of names assigned to standard USGS products according to USGS policy and procedures, including standard 7.5x7.5 degree quadrangle maps and digital products. Geographic Names Office, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523 (gnis_manager@usgs.gov).
SHAPE
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Coordinates defining the features.
Geographic Names Project, U.S. Geological Survey
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4544
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Monday through Friday 0730-1700 Eastern Time
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for Connecticut
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the USGS regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The Geological Survey will warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable format.
ASCII
Data extract files for States and territories are available for download via web browser. Four topical extracts of the data base are also available: the U.S. Populated Places File lists information about all communities throughout the United States that are described in the data base, the U.S. Concise File lists information about major physical and cultural features throughout the United States that are described in the data base, the Historical Features File lists information about features which are no longer in existence, and the Antarctica File contains entries throughout the continent of Antarctica as approved for use by the United States Government.
http://geonames.usgs.gov/
None
Custom data sets may be requested. Contact gnis_manager@usgs.gov
20111209
Roger L. Payne
U.S. Geological Survey
Chief, Geographic Names Project
Mailing address
523 National Center
Reston
Virginia
20192
703 648 4544
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
local time
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
ESRI Metadata Profile