U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1011 

The National Geographic Names 

Data Base: Phase II Instructions 
The National Geographic Names 

Data Base: Phase II Instructions 

By DONALD j. ORTH and ROGER L. PAYNE 

Supersedes Open-File Report 84-036 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1011 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

DONALD PAUL HODEL, Secretary 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director . . 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1987 

Free on application to the Books and Open-File Reports Section. 

U.S. Geologica1 Survey. Federal Center. 

Box 25425, Denver. CO 80225 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract .............................. "............................................................................. 1 

Chapter 1: The National Geographic Names Data Base 

and Phase I project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The National Geographic Names Data Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Basic record information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Building the data base................................................................................. 4 

Phase I project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Chapter 2: Phase ll, Part 1: The collection and map 

annotation of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Qualifications of research personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

General procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Organization and preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · 7 

Acquiring work maps and required reference materials.......................... 7 

Preparing work maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Source documents and their selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Bibliography and bibliographic codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Use of Phase I computer listing............................................................ 10 

Special computer-generated lists ......................................................... 10 

Required source documents ................................................................. 10 

Primacy Federal sources ...................................................................... 11 

Secondary- Federal sources ................................................................... 11 

Other information sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

State and local governmental publications ............................................ 12 

Historical and other publications and records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Compilation, evaluation, and annotation procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Four conditions to be researched......................................................... 14 

Annotation procedures........................................................................ 14 

Name categories that do not require annotation.................................... 16 

Topographic map "time-gap" procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 17 

Variant names and spellings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Controversial names and the Board on Geographic Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

County and other minor civil division names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . 19 

Major feature and regional names ........................................................ 19 

Vague, obsolete, and vanished entity names.......................................... 22 

Sequential entities at the same location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Incorporation, subdivisions, and metropolitan areas............................... 22 

Abbreviations, generic terms, and designators....................................... 23 

Numbers and numerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

iii 
CONTENTS (Con't.) 

Page 

Chapter 3: Phase n, Part 2: Preparing to encode data ......................................... 26 . 

Introduction ............................................................................. ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Data transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Data elements an.d record format ......................................... ~....................... 26 

Introduction .................................. _..................................................... 26 

Record number ...................................................................... ;. . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Record name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Feature class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

State/ county codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . ... .. . . .. . . . 29 

County name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Geographic coordinates ............................................ ·........................... 30 

Source coordinate .................................................... ·.......... .. ..... .......... 31 

Map/ chart name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Historical note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

V ariaJlt names ......................................... .-.......................................... 33 

Size of featllre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. 34 

Federal status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

Special designators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

Section, township, raJlge, and meridiaJl ................................................. 35 

Remarks .. . . . . . . .. . . . ..................... .. . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . . . ..... .. . .... .... .. ... ...... .. . . . .. . . . 35 

Bibliographic entry ............................................ ~................................ 35 

Chapter 4: Phase II, Part 3: Encoding data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Appendix A: Categories of named features not included in the 

Geographic Names Information System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

B: Sources for the Geographic Names Information System..................... 41 

C: USGS topographic map preparation and instructions · 

for Phase U input to the Geographic Names 

Information System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

D: The Domestic Geographic Name Report form . . . .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 43 

E: StaJldard cartographic abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

F: Glossary- of feature-class terms ...................................................... 46 

G: Map featllre guide . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..... .. . . . . . . . ..... ....... ..... .. . ... ....... .. .. 49 

H: Determining geographical coordinates ............................................. 123 

1: Status categocy classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 

J: National bibliographic source codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 

K: "a" Format for encoding geographic names ...................................... 130 

Glossary- of terms . . . .. . . . . . . ... .. ... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... .. . . . . . . . .... ............. .. ... . . . . . 132 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

Figure 1. Example of work map preparation showing FIPS county 

codes aJld map-cell code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

iv 
ILLUSTRATIONS (Con't.) 

Page 

Figure 2. Map-face annotations and feature delineation................................ 15 

3. Map collar and face annotations .................................................... 16 

4. Application problems and variant names ........................................ 18 

S. Annotating named Federal and State entities ................................. 20 

6. Identifying majc>r named entities ................................................... 21 

7. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) 

lnP'lt Coding Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

8. Generic information form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29 

9. Identifying stream/valley heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

10. States partitioned according to the Public Lands 

Surveying System ...................................................................... 36 

11. An example of recording section, township, range, 

and meridian information .......................................................... 37 

v 
TilE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NAMES DATA BASE: PHASE ll INSTRUCTIONS 

By Donald J. Orth and Roger L. Payne 

ABSTRACT 

The Geographic Names Information System is a computer-based information system 

developed to meet major national needs by providing information for named entities in the 

United States, its territories, and outlying areas. The National Geographic Names Data Base, 

a component of the Geographic Names Information System, currently contains most names 

and associated information recorded on the 1:24,000-scale (or largest scale available) 

topographic maps of the U.S. Geological Survey. The work involved in this initial compilation 

of names shown on the topographic-map series, and the development and editing of the 

National Geographic Names Data Base, is referred to as Phase I. 

Optimal use and effectiveness of an automated names system require that the names of features not recorded on topographic maps be added. The systematic collection of names from 

other sources, including maps, charts, and texts, is termed Phase II. In addition, specific types 

of features not compiled during Phase I are encoded and added to the data base. Other names 

of importance to researchers and users, such as historical and variant names, are also 

included. The rules and procedures for Phase II research, compilation, and encoding are 

contained in this publication. 

Any use of trade names and trademarks in this publication is for identification purposes only 

and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. 

1 
CHAPTER 1 

THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NAMES DATA BASE AND PHASE I PROJECT 

Introduction 

Beginning about 1960, there was a growing demand for a relatively complete listing of our 

Nation's named places, features, and areas. From about 1955 to 1970, multiple attempts, 

costing several million dollars, were made by various Federal and State agencies and business 

organizations to develop a computer-based geographic names data base designed to meet a 

variety of special needs. For the most part, these attempts were limited in completeness of 

name coverage and extent of name information. A single, unbiased, relatively complete 

depository of geographic names, including basic or essential information about each name and 

named place, was urgently needed by all levels of government, diverse users in private industry, and by the general public. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) was also interested because such an information depository would facilitate the standardization of geographic names in the United States. 

Because of the nature and size of the task, most users looked to the Federal Government for 

help in developing and maintaining a master computer-based catalog of the Nation's 3 to 5 

million domestic geographic names. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) agreed in 1978 to 

undertake such a program. The Geological Survey was interested because it is responsible for 

providing staff support for the domestic names activities of the Board and such a program 

would provide direct support to USGS mapping missions. 

The National Geographic Names Data Base 

A relatively complete computerized data base of geographic names in the United States, its 

territories, and outlying areas was planned by USGS as early as 1960. Although the Branch of 

Geographic Names in USGS had been developing and using automated methods for handling 

geographic name information since 1964, it was not until computer teclmology was readily 

available that building such a data base became feasible. An early version of the National 

Geographic Names Data Base was developed in 1975. Further development led to implementation of a system called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The System is 

made up of four data bases, data retrieval software, ancillary software, and procedures specifically designed, arranged, and programmed to function as a geographic names information 

system and a tool for toponymic research. G NIS is a computer-based system designed to meet 

a broad spectrum of information and program needs, including: 

• Cartographic support 

• Standard reference 

• Geographic base for special files 

• National standardization 

• Toponymic and other research 

• Geographic inventory and control 

• Gazetteer production 

• Special publications. 

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Information in the system may be retrieved, arranged, analyzed, and manipulated for general 

and specific purposes without bia$. The National Geographic Names Data Base is the largest 

data base in GNIS and contains ~ separate file for each State, territory, and outlying area. 

The other data bases in GNIS are: 

• National Topographic Map Names Data Base 

• Reference Data Base 

• Board on Geographic Names Data Base. 

Information about GNIS and its products and the National Geographic Names Data Base may 

be obtained from: 

GNIS Manager 

U.S. Geological Survey 

523 National Center 

Reston, Virginia 22092 

Tel: 703-648-4544 (FTS 959-4544). 

B!§iC Record Information 

The effectiveness of GNIS and the National Geographic Names Data Base depends on both the 

completeness and integrity of the data in the system. The geographic-names staff in the 

Branch of Geographic Names has identified those basic or critical elements needed for each 

name record in the system. These critical elements are: 

• Written form of the full official, legal, or standard name (Record Name), 

• Designation of the kind of geographic entity by a standard term (Feature Class), 

• Location by State and county (State/County Name and code), 

• Location by map of a standard series (Map/Chart Name and codes), 

• Identification and extent of the named entity by geographic coordinates (Geographic 

Coordinates), 

• Official status of the name and its application (Federal Status), 

• Variant names or other names for the same geographical entity and variant spellings 

of those names (Variant Names), 

• Administrative responsibility of a controlled area (special designators), 

• Section, township, range, and principal meridian, and 

• Bibliography. 

Although not critical, three other elements are considered impo tant for a name record when 

applicable and when the information is available: 

• Elevation, 

• Size, and 

• History of the name, especially with regard to name ori in and meaning. 

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See Data Elements and Record Format for a description of each of the primary data elements 

associated·with a -name record. · · · .,. . 

Building the Data Base 

The data base ·miJst· be designed for handling information. and derming required data elements. 

The ·major task, however~ 'was and is the collection of.l,iames and associated ~on.nation to go 

into the datil base. Written soutces of name· information' are extensive and varied. The 

sources include both current and historical maps and charts of different scales ·as well as 

textual material. This name-source material varies in number and form from area to. area. 

Only published name informatio~ was considered for use in building the data ~a8e. . . · · I.. ' . • ~:. t ·.. j ·_ -:• . ~ • "'-

'The 'largest and 'most unifortnly distributed , coverage ot current geographic n~es of the 

United States· .;and its territories is found :on the 'topographic maps published by USGS. A 

survey made irl1-970 indicated .:.that the large- and;lntermediate-scale topographic maps contained from SO to 70 percent of all names in current usage. · · · 

This situation provided a logical division of the work into two distinct phases: ' :. ' • ,. •• ',.: •. ·~ • ' • > 

Phase I, the collection of most names and associated information ·from the USGS 

standard topographic map series, and 

·· Phase' II, the collection of su;~h inform~tion frC!m other .sources. 

Phase I Pro.iect 

The Geological' Survey ··began preliminary ·work o~ Phase I in 1976, a time when published 

large.:.::::scate topc)·graphic· maps covered more' than 70 percent of this ·countrY's land surface. In 

a pilot project, names published on the maps covering the States of Kansas and Colorado were 

collected and recorded in machine-readable form. In the fall of 1978, a contract w~ awarded 

to collect and rec.ord coqesponding informatipn . for the remainder of the States and territories. The contract was coinpleted in March 1981.. All work was monitorecl closely for completeness,· accuracy,·· and adherence to established_ procedUres 'by ·the Branch of Geographic 

Names in the Geological Survey's National MaPJ>ing ''Division. · The error rate was about 

2 percent. 

;. •• + The . systematic . ~ollection of; most nanies and ' attendaltt information from tiu:' 

topographic maps on a State-by-State basis, and 

• The correction and updating of this data by comparison with the official BG N files 

by the National Mapping Division's Branch of Geographic Names staff. 

The procedures followed for Phase I were as follows: 

• Map AcQUisition and Numbering 

A complete collection of USGS topographic maps was acquired on a State-by-State 

basis. Each 7.5- x 7.5-minute map or unpublished map cell of a State set was given 

a unique sequential number. Beginning with "1" in the northwest comer of the State, 

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the numbering proceeds from west to east while moving south latitudinally. The 

largest-scale USGS topographic maps available in each State were used for 

compilation. 

• Map Annotation 

The contractor identified each named place and feature on every map and assigned 

each a unique number. The extent of certain features such as streams. also was 

annotated by hand on each map. The extent of each named feature, as well as the 

location of its geographic coordinates, was identified on each topographic map on 

which the feature appeared. 

• Data Entry 

The geographic coordinates of the four comers of the map were recorded, and the 

location of each feature was digitized and stored on magnetic disk along with other 

required data, such as name, type of feature, county, map, and elevation. The digitized x-y coordinates were converted automatically into geographic coordinates 

before final processing. 

• Processing and Editing 

A series of computer programs was used to check the accuracy of data during 

compilation. 

• Format Conversion 

Tapes produced by the contractor were delivered to USGS in a specific format, 

designed for direct entry (file dump) into the data base. 

• Data Monitoring 

Names data from a random sampling of 10 percent of the 1:24,000-scale maps were 

retrieved from the system in printout form for data verification. The names and 

feature positions also were plotted on transparent overlays for visual comparison 

·with the source maps. 

• Editing and Updating 

Data were checked against the BGN files and updated to include changes, additions, 

and corrections that occurred since tbe topographic maps were published. The 

Board's decision dates and variant names were added. 

Phase I work resulted in the collection and storage of about 1. 7 million name records. As 

each State was completed, preliminary information was made available to users by means of 

standard and specialized bound listings, computer tapes, and microfiche. Also, the data base 

was made available at USGS for interactive retrieval, manipulation, arranging, and analysis 

of name information. 

-S-
CHAPTER2 

PHASE ll, PART 1: THE COLLECTION AND MAP ANNOTATION OF DATA 

Introduction 

Phase n work on compiling data for entry into the Geographic Names Information System 

began in 1982. The work is divided into three parts for convenience and control: 

• Part 1, Collection and map annotation of data 

• Part 2, Transfer of data to coding forms 

• Part 3, Encoding data for entry into the system 

The main thrust of Phase n work for each State project consists of a systematic search of 

selected documents in order to identify unrecorded name information and to create new name 

records to add to those assembled during Phase I. This procedure includes the . collection of 

variant names and spellings for all name records. The procedure needs to be completed before 

a State or territory volume of The National Gazetteer of the United States of America can 

be published. 

Phase I· compilation did not include all named entities shown on the topographic maps. It was. 

recognized in the beginning that certain kinds of named features, such as those that were 

large or scattered, or name information already in list or digital form, could be handled mor.e 

efficiently during Phase n compilation. Phase II, Part 1 compilation requires both the coding 

of name records purposely omitted from Phase I compilation and the collection and recording 

of names and associated information not found on the topographic maps used during Phase I. 

The topographic maps do not show all geographic names that are in current use. Many names 

in local and (or) published usage were unknown to the compilers when the maps were made. 

Names applied to minor features often were not shown for lack of map symbols or· to avoid 

map clutter. The maps also do not normal)y show historical and obsolete names, variant 

applications, and other names once used for currently named places, features, or areas. 

Qualifications of Research Personnel 

It is important that each person researching name information for Phase n be able to interpret 

topographic maps and to relate point, line, and area symbols among maps of different and 

varying scales. A researcher should be able to make reliable ;.utgements on feature identification when comparing maps and relating textual description to map symbols. This includes 

expertise in translating named symbols on sketch maps for accurate identification on the 

modem large-scale topographic maps~ 

An understanding of how people use and apply geographic names to the landscape is useful. 

The researcher should understand how proper names are applied to symbols by map editors 

and the limitations inherent in the process. Knowledge of the geography and history of the 

area being worked will greatly improve a researcher's ability to interpret data. An important 

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factor, often overlooked, is the researcher's ability to print upper and lower case letters 

legibly, and to print exactly what is intended to be recorded because the person keying data 

will make no interpretation, but will enter exactly what is shown on the coding form. 

General Procedures 

The following procedures are specified for the preparation, collection, and processing of name 

data during Phase ll, Part 1 work. These standard procedures help ensure the relative completeness and integrity of information that will go into the National Geographic Names Data 

Base. 

Phase ll, Part 1 activity begins with the preparation, selection, and systematic review of name 

source documents other than topographic maps and the annotation of the new name information on the work maps. Annotation is the procedure by which specified information derived 

from other documentary sources is hand drawn/labelled directly on the work map by a pen or 

pencil. The printed and annotated data on the maps are then used to create new name records 

that are encoded and added to the data base. Work is accomplished in a specific order and is 

carefully controlled to maintain accuracy and to prevent duplication of the data. The procedures for Part 1 are divided into: 

• Organization and preparation 

• Acquisition of source documents 

• Compilation evaluation and annotation procedures. 

Organization and Preparation 

Before beginning, decisions need to be made concerning administrative organization for the 

project, choice of persons who will do the work, limits of source-material investigation, and a 

work plan to be followed to achieve Phase II goals. The project requires a leader who can 

prepare reports and make decisions. Careful supervision is needed to prevent duplication and 

omission, to maintain the integrity of the work, and to insure that the research workers have 

adequate work-map coverage and that they are aware of and can locate source documents. 

Preparation includes: 

• Acquiring work maps and other required reference materials, 

• Preparing work maps. 

Acquiring Work Maps and Required Reference Materials 

One of the first steps is the acquisition of a master set of work maps. These should be the 

largest-scale topographic maps available. For the most part, they will be 1:24,000- or 

1:25,000-scale maps published by USGS. The next smallest scale, 1:62,500, should be obtained 

for those areas not covered by the larger-scale maps. See figure 2 for a sample State index 

of large-scale topographic map coverage. A master set of work maps is furnished by the GNIS 

Manager. Complete map coverage of the State at 1 :250,000--scale and a State base map are 

also furnished. Other reference items that are furnished by USGS, if needed or when appropriate, include: 

-7-
• Federal Information Processing Standards publication 6-2 1976, 

• List of required and suggested source documents, 

• G NIS Users Guide, 

• Map feature guide, 

• List of state civil divisions, 

• State index of GNIS map codes, and 

• National Ocean Service charts and National Forest maps. 

Preparing Work Maps 

Careful map preparation helps to ensure maximum work efficiency with· the . minimum 

possibility of error. It includes: 

• Outlining all county boundaries with a felt-tipped marker of a specific color, 

• Annotating State and county FIPS codes on each map collar adjacent to each county 

area (fig. 1), 

• In areas riot covered by 1:24,000- or 1:25,000-scale maps, the individual 7.5- x 

7 .5-minute map names are identified and appropriately labeled on the smaller-scale 

map, and 

• Drawing latitude and longitude lines across each map at the 2.5-minute "ticks" 

located at the neatline of each map, if geographic coordinates are to be obtained by 

the use of ten-space dividers or scales (Appendix H). 

Source Documents and their Selection 

Bibliography and Bibliographic Codes 

A bibliography and bibliographic coding procedure are built into the Geographic Names 

Information System. This allows a ready reference to the sources of information for all name 

records in the data base. The absence of a code indicates a Phase I name, that is, the source 

of the name in the data base is a topographic map published by USGS prior to the initial compilation period of 1978-1981 (see Appendix J for coding topographic maps published after 

Phase I work). Preparation for Phase n work requires developing a preliminary bibliography 

of required and probable source documents to be reviewed. The bibliographic listing will 

grow as new sources are discovered. 

With the exception of the USGS topographic maps reviewed during Phase I compilation, each 

source document is given a unique alphanumeric code. The itrst two characters of the code 

are the alphabetical FIPS State code, followed by a dash (-), then the letter T (for. a textual 

source) or an M (for a map source), and unique number used for referencing the different 

sources. The unique number may be assigned sequentially as the source bibliography is 

developed for the maps (M) and texts (T). Certain codes are reserved for general use. (See 

Appendix J .) Bibliographie c·odes are armotated on the work maps for both new name data 

and variant names. Examples: ME-T1, ME-T2, ME-T3, etc. and ME-M1, ME-M2, ME-M3, 

etc. (Maine text and map bibliographic codes). 

If the document source is an atlas or similar publication, the map or page number should be 

recorded as part of the bibliographic code. The map or page number is separated from the 

code by a slash (/). Examples: ,AZ-T2/p.80, AZ-Ml4/m.24 (Arizona codes). 

-8-
~ 

/~ ==~~-=::: 10.~ ............ ~ ............... - ... -

~-='-................ . , .......................................... ._ ..... ..... ..._ .. _............,...n•~•~•..._.... 

CONTOU" INTlttVAL 10 'U'T DII'Tulll IS MUM MA LML 

fM. *" COMI'\.Itl WITH IUiiTIQtW. 111M' oiiCCUMC'f STAMOMOI 

.-eM! IM.III't' a.~ IUR¥1\',DIMVU.COLOUDO-.OII~O C ... 

MD ... TMI I"ITI -~ ........... ..-....ci.IWIUI .... AI'Ol.lllt-~IMPI .... _. .......... ...,.., 

:::=.. ==-.~... -~==:. ~ =:-.......... .. ~' ., Qu.s.-

Figure 1.--An example of work preparation showing the armotated FIPS county codes. The 

county boundaries have been manually enhanced with a felt-tip pen for easier reading. 

-9-
An annotated bibliography for each source from which a name or variant name was derived 

should be prepared in a standard format along with its bibliographic code: 

AZ-T16 Johnson, Robert X. "Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains," New 

York: Doubleday, Inc., 1982, 3rd Ed., 472 pp. Refers to hiking 

routes with references to names of trails and physical features. 

A copy of the annotated bibliography is to be submitted periodically to the G NIS Manager for 

approval and documentation. 

Use of Phase I Computer Listing 

The Phase I listing contains name records and variants alphabetically by State or other area. 

The listing is required as a reference for Phase II work. It is used to determine if variants are 

already present in the data base and to obtain the necessary identification number for recording variants of existing name records. Researchers must use the 1:24,000-scale or 1:25,000-

scale topographic maps as the main reference and, except in the case of maps published since 

Phase I compilation, may assume that names already found on the maps are in the data base. 

If one has interactive access to GNIS, questions may be answered by direct retrieval of 

information. 

Special Computer-Generated Lists 

The Geological Survey will furnish selected computer-generated named feature listings for 

name records not created during Phase I work because the information was already available 

in more complete form in existing specialized data files. These kinds of named features are: 

• airports, 

• radio and television antenna sites, 

• recreation and wilderness areas, and. 

• current minor civil divisions. 

The names of certain categories of features collected during Phase I are not complete. This 

is because not all were shown in the maps used for Phase I collection. For this reason, the 

following categories of features will require comparison with more complete listings: 

• Dams and reservoirs, and 

• Populated places (FIPS SS). 

Required Source Documents 

A major part of Phase II work requires the review of certain important source documents. 

These documents should be reviewed in the following order: 

* - USGS topographic maps published or reprinted since Phase I compilation (the 

key date will be provided by the GNIS Manager), * - National Ocean Service coast charts, river charts, and lake charts, 

* - U.S. Forest Service maps, * - U.S. Bureau of Standards FIPS SS list, 

-10-
* - Dams and reservoirs list, 

* - Federal Aviation Administration airport list, 

* - U.S. National Park Service list, 

* - U.S. Forest Service recreation area list, 

* - Federal Communications Commission radio and television list, 

* - List of shopping centers, 

- County maps and listings published by the State, 

- Real estate maps, 

- Lists of churches and schools, and 

- Historical maps, atlases, and gazetteers. 

*Source documents are furnished by the G MS Manager. 

Note - Underlined sources are considered basic references for determining official standard 

names. 

Primary Federal Sources 

The primary Federal maps should be the first sources systematically reviewed after the preliminary work has been completed because official names are determined by usage on these 

maps. The names found on the topographic map series published by the Geological Survey are 

already in the data base. For Phase II, the process involves comparing names and their applications shown on the work maps with those shown on the National Ocean Service charts and 

the U.S. Forest Service maps. These maps and charts are furnished to those officially participating in the Phase II compilation program. Others may order them at the current price at 

the following addresses. 

• For topographic maps: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Map Distribution 

Federal Center, Bldg. 41 

Box 25286 

Denver, CO 80225 

• For forest maps: Contact each individual Forest Office. 

• For National Ocean Charts: 

National Ocean Service - NOAA 

Distribution Branch - N/CG33 

Riverdale, MD 20737 

Secondary Federal Sources 

After the primary Federal sources have been reviewed and processed, it is useful to systematically compare name information from other listings made available by the G MS Manager 

with that shown on the work maps. Most of the named entities in the listings will already be 

shown on the work maps and may only require quick visual verification. The listings, however, 

are more complete and, with the exception of the FIPS 55 list, represent official administrative names. The other source listings, mainly Federal in origin, include: 

-11-
• U.S. Forest recreation areas 

• National Park Service: National 

Parks 

Historical parks 

Battlefields and battlefield sites 

Military parks 

Memorials 

Historic sites 

Monuments 

Preserves 

Seashores and lakeshores 

Parkways 

Rivers and riverways 

Recreation areas 

Scenic trails 

• National Bureau of Standards, Federal Information ·Processing Standard- FIPS SS. 

Other Information Sources 

The success of a Phase n compilation program depends upon the availability of source materials for research other than those provided by the G NIS manager. Major university and city 

libraries with large historical and current map holdings and local history sections can furnish 

a large amount of source information for Phase n work. Research of State and local historical society publications and State, county, city, and town records is also required. 

State and Local Governmental Publications 

The collection of name data from the Federal documents covers most major named places, 

features, and areas. Experience indicates, however, that this represents only about S0-70 

percent of all names found in present-day usage. Thus, the next task of Phase n work is to 

identify the names of geographic entities in use today that are not already in G NIS or recorded on the required, primary, and secondary sources.· State and local governmental publications may be the best source of information of this kind. These documents include but are 

not limited to: 

1. Maps produced by State agencies and local governments and 

2. Special State and other governmental ·publications dealing with -

• Schools 

• Churches 

• Hospitals 

• Cemeteries 

• Shopping centers 

• Public landmarks 

• Springs and streams 

• Lakes and ponds 

• Recreation areas 

• Public parks and forests 

• Natural features 

-12-
• Historical sites and structures 

• Highway rest areas 

• Natural resources 

• Mines and mining areas 

• Industrial parks. 

The names of subdivisions and real estate developments are useful records to have in the 

National Geographic Names Data Base, even though many of the names may appear ephemeral. These names represent populated areas that often are recognized by a legal process at 

some level of government. Most are not named on the topographic work maps. Information 

about the names and locations of real estate developments normally is available at governmental offices or agencies that deal with zoning or planning and through real estate multiple 

listing maps. 

Historical and Other Publications and Records 

Almost all written material uses geographic names for locational purposes. Source documents 

for Phase II, Part I work are widespread. Careful selection of sources that provide the greatest potential of new name information is important because of time limitations. After the 

names information from the previously mentioned Federal and State source documents has 

been collected, the remaining kinds of information needed for the data base include: 

• Historical and obsolete geographic names, 

• Indian and other minority group geographic names, 

• Regional and area names, and 

• Minor feature names. 

The availability of documents from which useful information can be obtained varies among 

States and among areas within a State. The more obvious possible source documents are: 

• Historical maps and atlases; 

• Books and pamphlets on local history; 

• Old Federal reports, maps, charts, and guides including census listings, coast pilots, 

postal guides, .and reports on explorations; 

• Land records and plats; 

• State and regional geographic names studies and books; 

• City plats, and county and regional maps; 

• Etymological texts and materials; and 

• Early written records dealing with travel, exploration, and settlement. 

It is reiterated that priorities and limits need to be established to prevent an excessive 

amount of research time spent on going through sources that furnish minimal results. 

Compilation, Evaluation, and Annotation Procedures 

Introduction 

In review, the purpose of Phase II, Part I research is the collection of geographic-name data 

not recorded during Phase I compilation. Use of a single set of work maps for Phase II compilation is crucial to a successful program for several reasons. Without exception, all names 

and certain associated information collected during Phase II are recorded on the one set of 

work maps. 

-13-
The large-scale topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey provide an ideal 

base with which names data from other sources can be compared. They give us a graphic 

representation of selected natural and manmade entities on the Earth's surface plotted to a 

definite scale. A full set of these maps covering the Phase n research area are the work 

maps that provide the reference foundation for the organized collection of geographic names 

and their attendant data. Portrayal of the shape and elevation of the terrain on these work 

maps is usually determined by precise engineering surveys and photogrammetric measurements. The scales of the maps are large enough to allow symbolism and name labeling of 

relatively small features. Because each work map shows the accurate locations and shapes of 

mountains, valleys, and levels, the networks of streams, bodies of water, and principal works 

of man, it is easy to relate a name with the entity it identifies. If an appropriate symbol is 

not shown on the map for a particular named entity, a symbol can be easily annotated directly 

onto the map in a fairly accurate location by relating its position with other map symbols. 

New names and additional variant names are associated with the proper map symbols and 

annotated directly onto the maps along with bibliographic codes and other pertinent data. 

Both the annotated data and reliable qualitative and quantitative information published on 

the maps are used to develop new name records for the National Geographic Names Data 

Base. 

Four Conditions to be Researched 

Each source document is systematically reviewed and compared with the work maps. One 

source document normally is reviewed at a time in order to prevent duplication and error. If 

more than one is reviewed at a time by several persons working on the project, care should be 

taken to prevent duplication of work. Only one reference is needed for a Phase n name record 

or variant. The following four conditions between the source documents and the work maps 

are identified if encountered: 

• New Name: Names in the source documents applied to geographical entities not 

named on the topographic work maps (New Name means new to the data base), 

• Variant Name: Different names or different spellings for the same entity, 

• Variant Application: Names with the same or different spelling applied to two 

different entities of the same kind, and 

• Variant Application: Names with the same or different spelling applied in part to two 

different entities of the same kind. 

Annotation Procedures 

Each name collected for Phase n, including the bibliographic code and identification of one of 

the four conditions mentioned above, is annotated onto the work maps in association with the 

appropriate feature symbols. Annotations on the work maps should be made so that there is 

no ambigwty with regard to the names and their applications. Annotations on the map are 

made carefully and neatly. Remember that a large number of annotations may be made on a 

map before the work for Phase n is finished. The printed names and their symbols on the 

work maps should not be obscured by the annotations. 

Work maps may be annotated either at or alongside the map symbols on the face of the map 

(fig. 2) or on the map collar with cotmecting lines to the appropriate symbols (fig. 3). Depending on clarity and convenience, both procedures can be used on the same map. If a map 

-14-
becomes cluttered, a new work map may be permanently attached to the original. The 

researcher must define the extent of named features. This is done by marking or tracing 

their limits or extents with pencil, pen, or different color markers on the work maps (fig. 3). 

The following procedures should be followed carefully: 

• Transferring name information from the various source documents should be done 

carefully. Except for abbreviations, which are spelled out, print each name in upper 

and lower case letters exactly as found on the source document. 

• Not all landscape and cultural features are symbolized on the topographic work 

maps. If an appropriate symbol is not shown on the work map, one should be annotated neatly in the proper location and identified by the name and bibliographic code 

annotation. Remember, scale differences and map quality (especially historical 

material), affect the transfer of information. 

Figure 2.-An example of map-face annotations; each indicating the nature of the name [new 

or variant] and bibliographic code which gives the source of information. Care is always 

taken to ensure correct application of the annotated name to the feature symbolized on 

the map using apPlication lines (Deer Ridge, Parsons Hollow, Hartley Ridge, Boddy 

Hollow) and lead lines/arrows (Indianton, Indian Crossing). Annotated variant names can 

also be tied to the circled map name by a lead line. Note the reference (historical) is 

considered part of the name for recording and data entry (Indianton). 

-15-
• Annotation may be done by a fine-point felt-tipped pen, a good ball-point or standard 

marking pen, or by a sharp, but not excessively hard, pencil. It is advisable to armotate new names in one color and variant names in a contrasting color. It is also 

possible to armotate name/feature application differences in another color. The 

method used should be documented and applied consistently. 

• Only one armotation is required to build a name record. If a new name or variant 

name is encountered dwing document research and it has already been armotated on 

the work map from a previous source, it can be ignored unless the later source contains additional useful information not found on the previous source. For example, it 

is useful to keep an account of the earliest published use of a name. It is acceptable 

to record more than one bibliographic source code if desired, but only one is required. 

it•~ 

...... .,+c.,..,., 

(}JIY-1"1. 

~dWJ 

J.iHW C,../t 

(WV-1114) 

lJv•.JJ 

M~ ~u--~~~~~< 

(W't- "'" 

fl'4W] 

· Mile &cJ.J, 

(J.Jy.- Ht) 

Figure 3.--An example of map-collar and map-face armotations. Both methods of armotation 

can be used on the same map. Clarity of name information and application are the main 

determinants in armotation procedure. These factors must be obvious to any person who 

may be transferring name data to the coding forms. Clarification notes can be added in 

parentheses whenever needed (see note on the mouth of Cross Creek). 

Name Categories That Do Not Require Annotation 

As mentioned earlier, certain categories of named entities were not compiled from the 

topographic maps during Phase I because the information needed to build the name records 

was readily available in more complete special listings or digital files. These listings are 

furnished to cooperators in the Phase n program by the G NIS Manager. Except for smaller 

dams and reservoirs, the following categories of named entities need not be extracted from 

the source documents and armotated onto the work maps: 

-16-
• Airports, landing strips, heliports; 

• Dams and reservoirs; and 

• Radio and television stations. 

It should be noted that named streets, roads, and highways are not identified for inclusion in 

G NIS during Phases I or II. 

Topographic Map "Time-Gap" Procedures 

Phase I compilation was accomplished with a cut-off date for each State between 1976 and 

1981. The compilation does not contain names published on the large-scale topographic maps 

after the cut-off date. A list of State cut-off dates will be furnished by the Cii NIS Manager. 

This procedure is temporary because new names from maps published within the "time-gap" 

will be compiled and added to GNIS at one time. Contact the GNIS Manager for the status of 

this compilation. 

Because of the time gap between Phases I and II, the first step of Part 1 cotnpilation is to 

identify additions or changes to the standard topographic map series published since the cutoff date on the work maps. The names are identified by the two-letter code "US" followed by 

a dash (-) and the code M101. For example, US-M101 identifies a new name •~r change on a 

topographic map. This name data can be determined by comparing recent]y J:'ublished maps 

with the largest-scale map coverage available for an area before the cut-off date. 

Variant Names and Spellings 

All variant names and variant spellings found in the source documents should be annotated on 

the work maps along with their bibliographic codes for inclusion in the data base. A variant 

name is defined here as a name found on any source used to refer to a particular geographic 

feature, other than the official or primary entry name. A variant spelling is defined as any 

spelling of what is intended to represent the same name, but which differs from the spelling 

of the official or primary entry name. This includes published typographical eCJrors and minor 

spelling variations such as ··the inversion of "ie" and "ei" or "ll" and "1." This includes variation 

between names with or without the plural/possessive "s." The genitive apostrc•phe, however, 

is not a factor for establishing variant names and should always be omitted when annotated 

onto the work map and recorded onto the encoding sheet. 

In all cases, the variant names should be referenced to the named entities and not to the 

names (fig. 4). For example, a small settlement may be called Avon. If a post office or 

railroad station a mile away is also called Avon, there are two different named entities 

requiring two different records. James Creek and James Gorge, through which the stream 

flows, are two different features because the former is a hydrographic (water) feature and 

the latter is a hypsographic (land) feature. Ear]y maps and maps with scales too small for 

accurate name placement should be careful]y interpreted in order to prevent the creation of 

variant names not intended by the mapmakers. Keep in mind the logical application of a 

name based on its generic element. A named cape applied to an island on a sn1all-scale map 

was probab]y meant to app]y to what was perceived as a cape and not the island. The 

relationship between a named mountain and its separate]y named peak or peaks should also be 

careful]y maintained. 

-17-
A. Source Map - 1894 B. Source Map - 1909 

Jones 

C. Source Map - 1941 D. Work Map - Current USGS 

Figure 4.-Application Problems and Variant Names. When identifying variant names, each 

part of a feature or system of features uniquely named on a source map is considered a 

separate entity. A variant name is associated with a record name even though it may 

have been applied only to a part of the record name feature on a source document. The 

record names on map D have the following variant names derived from source documents 

A, B, and C: 

Official Name Variant Name 

Jones River - Mad Creek (in part) 

Mad Creek - Jones River (in part) 

Low Creek - Pike Creek 

Pike Creek - Pie Creek (in part), Low Creek, Top Creek 

Top Creek - North Fork Pike Creek 

-18-
Controversial Names and the Board on Geographic Names 

A name controversy exists if the name of a populated place, locality, reservoir, or natural 

feature or its application differs between any two · of the following: (1) topographic map 

(Phase I listing), (2) U.S. Forest Service map, or (3) National Ocean Service chart. If a 

controversy exists, the matter should be brought to the attention of the U.S. Board on 

Geographic Names. This can be done by submitting a Domestic Geographic Names Report 

(Form 9-1343) (Appendix D) as soon as possible to the: 

Executive Secretary for Domestic Names 

U.S. Board on Geographic Names 

National Center 523 

Reston, Virginia 22092 

Tel. 703-648-4506; FTS 959-4506 

The Board or its staff will resolve the controversy and notify the informant of the decision. 

If the controversy exists for entities other than populated places, localities, and natural features, an effort should be made to ascertain the name recognized by an adminis1~ative authority. When this name cannot be established, · the researcher should arbitrarily choose what 

appears to be the best one for the Record Name. All other names then become variant names. 

County and Other Minor Civil Division Names 

Phase I collection did not include county and other minor civil division names because such 

information can be compiled best as a single effort during Phase II work rather than on a 

map-by-map basis. The information is not annotated on the work maps, but instead recorded 

directly on Input Coding Forms (discussed on p. 10) and designated as "civil" on line "a3, 

DESIG" of the form. Phase II compilation should include counties; civil parishes; towns 

(northeastern United States); named townships; grants, patents, and hundreds; and any other 

named formal divisions of the land not recorded during Phase I compilation. In most cases, a 

digital list of current minor civil divisions can be provided by the G NIS manager. 

Major Feature and Regional Names 

Other categories of named entities sometimes not collected during Phase I operations include 

major natural features (such as Lake Michigan, Rocky Mountains, and Coast Range), extensive 

Federal and State parks and recreation and wildlife areas, and regional names (fig. 5). In all 

of ·these cases, no precise instructions can be given that will allow Phase II researchers to 

know if the records were, or were not, established during Phase I compilation. Researchers 

must check the computer listing or query the State file by means of a computer terminal in 

each case. Fortunately, the total number of these entities is not large. 

Those major natural features and extensive parks, recreation, and wildlife areas to be added 

to the Phase II file can be plotted or outlined best on the 1:250,000-scale or State base maps 

furnished by the G NIS Manager. The data .for building each name record cart be developed 

from such map annotation (fig. 6 ). The annotated intermediate-scale maps then become part 

of the work map collection for continual reference. 

-19-
Fig\J.re S.--Annotating named Federal and State entities. As with major features, it is best to 

identify scattered and large named areas that fall under the administrative authority of 

a Federal or State agency on a small-scale map. This procedure helps the compiler to 

understand extent and relationships not easily discernible on the larger scale work maps. 

County boundaries also can be annotated on the small-scale map if it is considered 

helpful. 

-20-
Figure 6.--It is best to delineate major named entities on 1 :250,000-scale or State base maps 

in order to understand their full extent and relationships with each other. Record data 

can be derived from the small-scale map or the feature boundaries can be transferred to 

the large-scale work maps. 

-21-
Currently used names for regions are not norinally found on topographic or on other base-map 

series. These names often can be found in the geographic literature. Regional names used in 

the past are found in the historical literature of a State or region. Because regional names 

often have indefinite boundaries, the Phase IT researcher must interpret the area covered by a 

regional name so that an appropriate name record can be developed for the data base file. 

Precise boundaries are not needed. 

Vague, Obsolete, and Vanished Entity ~ames 

The National Geographic Names Data base is designed to be a total information depository. 

It contains all obtainable names (and associated information) that were once or are presently 

used to identify or refer to landscape features and areas of the United States, its territories, 

and outlying areas. Every geographic name, except those for streets, highways, and roads, 

should be recorded as a record name or variant name. This applies to the names of features 

that are no longer in use (landings, post offices, railroad stations, schools), the names of features that no longer exist (destroyed manmade and natural features), and historical and current names applied to vague entities (regions, areas). For example, Sir Francis Drake applied 

the name "New Albion" to the land along the west coast of what is now the United States. 

New Albion is a legitimate name record for each of the State files for California, Oregon, 

and possibly Washington. When in doubt about the location of a named area or feature, an 

educated guess is made and coded to indicate coordinates may be inexact. In most of the 

above cases, the record name is followed by (historical). 

Sequential Entities at the Same Location 

Some geographical locations have had a sequence of named entities over a period of time. A 

city today, for example, may be located at the site of a former or current fort which, in turn, 

was located at the place where early maps show an Indian village. In such a case, all three 

named entities, and their variant names and spellings, are given separate and complete records in the data base. There is normally a complete cultural and time break between the 

Indian village and subsequent occupation of the site, and the fort is a different kind of feature 

from that of the city. The Indian village record name and the fort record name, if no longer 

used for military purposes, should be followed by (historical); for example: Blount, Fort 

(historical). . 

For the purpose of cross-referencing sequential site features, both the Indian vill~ge and fort 

record names can be listed as variants of the city name followed by (q.v.); .example: Fort 

Blount (q.v.). The (q.v.), quod vide, means "which see," and tells the reader that the name 

also is found in the data base as a complete record. It also will be listed in The National 

Gazetteer as a variant and a separate record. 

Incorporation, Subdivisions, and Metropolitan Areas 

Incorporation or merging often occurs when one or two (or more) nearby named populated 

places grow in area until they coalesce forming one population cluster. In some cases, incorporation boundaries also are extended to include centers of population separated by open or 

rural-like areas. In either case, a name record is prepared for the legally incorporated polity. 

All other names of places that are located within the boundaries of incorporation, and differ 

from the incorporate name in form or spelling, are given separate name records in GNIS. For 

the purpose of cross-reference, however, each is also listed in the variant field of the name 

record of the incorporated entity followed by (in part, q.v.); example: Star City (in part, q.v.). 

-22-
A named populated place that is part of a population cluster but outside the boundaries of an 

incorporated area is a separate entity and is not listed in the variant field of the adjacent 

incorporated area. 

Name records are prepared for all named subdivisions of a city or suburban area. The record 

name should be followed by (subdivision); example: Cleveland Park (subdivision). 

The term "subdivision" is here defined in its broadest sense. It is to include: 

• Named entities within the corporate boundaries of a city (subdivisions, neighborhoods, 

etc.) and 

• Named unincorporated populated tracts outside the boundaries of a city but having 

economic or other relational ties to a city or that are considered to be part of a 

metropolitan area (housing developments and similar population concentrations). 

The term "subdivision," however, should not be used to identify well-established, identifiable 

populated entities outside the corporate boundaries of a city, such as: 

• Older populated places that have come under the influence of an expanding 

metropolitan area, and 

• Well defined, larger, commercially developed satellite communities that are 

generally perceived to be more than a housing development and are generally 

considered to be separate populated places. 

The decision to add or not add (subdivision) in the name record will not always be easy. 

However, a conscientious effort should be made to use the above instructions for making a 

decision. A certain degree of expertise and local knowledge is helpful in applying the term 

"subdivision." If the subdivision is within the boundaries of an incorporated place, it is necessary to record the name of the entity in which the subdivision is located. Record this name 

after the preposition "in" on line a19 of the coding form (example: "in Pleasantville"). 

Named metropolitan areas that contain several incorporated and unincorporated places are 

considered separate geographic entities and each will be given a name record for each State 

that the area may cover. For example, the Washington Metropolitan Area u; a valid name 

record of the Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia files in the data base. Named 

polities and places within the metropolitan area are not listed as variant names for a metropolitan area name record. 

Abbreviations, Generic Terms, and Designators 

Because of editorial policy or lack of space, names were sometimes abbreviated or the generic 

elements of the names were not shown or recorded on the source documents.. These should 

not be considered variant names. 

All parts of a name abbreviated on the source documents should be spelled out when annotated 

on the work maps and input encoding forms. See Appendix E for standard abbreviations used 

on maps and charts published by the U.S. Government. For example, "St. Johns R." on the 

map or chart is annotated in its full form- Saint Johns River-- on the work map and encoding form. Other sources, however, may use a variety of abbreviations that differ from 

-23-
those in Appendix F. Special care should be taken to ascertain the intended word for an 

abbreviation. For example, "Br." normally used for the word "Branch," could also be intended 

to mean "Brook" on historical maps and manuscripts. 

The generic element should always be recorded, fully spelled out, on the work map and encoding form. If the source document or documents do not supply a generic for one or more 

names, one must be provided by the compiler for each specific part of a name that is appropriate to the feature and the area in which the feature is located. Note that in textual 

sources, the generic elements for the names of certain kinds of features (rivers, deserts, etc.) 

are often omitted. If, for example, the text refers to "crossing the Poloma," and a stream is 

the reference, the name recorded would be Poloma River. This ·is inferred because other 

terms for streams (creek, bayou, run, and branch) normally require the use of a generib'· With 

~e specific term in written text. 

Exceptions to the rule of supplying unwritten generic elements to names for GNIS occur when 

the geographic names were never intended by users to have a standard specific-generic 

form. There are three categories of such names: 

1. Most populated places and locales (and rarely a mountain) do not use the generic 

element (Denver, Columbia, New York) except in their political titles (City of 

Denver). The political title or long term of the name should be listed as a variant 

even though it has official status. Of course, many populated places have an 

imbedded generic element (Greenville, Boston, Middleburg). 

2. A small number of natural features have exotic or nonce-generic forms for their 

names (Bald Alley, a ridge; Battle Ax, a mountain; ~old Dick, a rock formation). 

3. Another small group of natural features are identified by use of the definite article 

and noun/name only (The Cape, The Toothpick, La Mesa). In such cases, the definite 

article is always capitalized when annotated on the work map. 

Feature-class terms are an important part of each GNIS name record. The Glossary of 

Feature-Class Terms (Appendix F) should be studied in t.Jte beginning of the Phase II work, and 

can be used as a constant reference during work, especially when encoding data for computer 

input. As mentioned above, the generic element is not used in all names and, when it is used, 

it may mislead the reader as to its true reference. For example, Green River may be a populated place and not a stream. Larsons Cave in Indiana may be a ''basin" and not a "cave" in 

the sense with which we are normally familiar. Feature-class terms, sometimes called designators, are provided for all names in GNIS. These terms not only assist in feature identification and name application, but also provide an economical and efficient procedure when 

making a computer search for certain kinds of name information. 

The Phase II compiler must be careful that he or she does not introduce personal or professional bias into ;he interpretation of features when selecting feature-class terms. The crossreference generic listing in Appendix G should be used to determine the feature class. If the 

generic is not in this list, the project coordinator should be notified and a generic form (fig. 8) 

should be completed. Map interpretation alone, in some cases, may be misleading. Some 

generics may have multiple references in the generic list. The compiler should attempt to 

view feature symbols on a map as if one were actually seeing the real feature at ground level 

where the naming process normally occurs. For example, the name Silver Hills may be applied 

along what appears to be a cliff or an escarpment on the map. The generic element in the 

name, however, implies that the name actually refers to the broken or ''hilly'' landscape that 

is the result of cliff or escarpment erosion. The feature-class term, then, should be "range" 

and not "cliff." 

-24-
In a few cases, a Phase n compiler may not be able to ascertain what a particular name 

indentifies on a map. If such a problem cannot be resolved by seeking help from the project 

director or other people familiar with landscape features in the area workedl, the encoding 

form can be tagged and referred to the Manager, GNIS. 

Numbers and Numerals 

Arabic numbers should normally be spelled out when they comprise part of a ge<)graphic name. 

This is especially true for the names of natural features (22 Camp Hill= Tw'entytwo Camp 

Hill). Exceptions sometimes are sanctioned by the Board on Geographic Names. Arabic 

numbers are also spelled out for cultural features except when the names hav'e certain legal 

or administrative significance (School Number 22). Roman numerals, however, are always 

retained because they are based on letters of the Roman alphabet. 

-25-
CHAPTER3 

PHASE n, PART 2: PREPARING TO ENCODE DATA 

Introduction 

Part 1 involves the collection of name data on a master set of work maps. Parts 2 and 3 

require the transfer and conversion of both the annotated and printed map data into machinereadable form for inclusion into the National Geographic Names Data Base. Although it is 

possible to encode name records directly from the work maps to the computer, such a procedure is not normally recommended because it requires special equipment and highly skilled 

operators, has a greater error factor, and is more difficult to monitor. Instead, an intermediate step, Part 2, is used. It involves the transfer of annotated and published map data to 

an Input Coding Form for each name record (fig. 7). The Input Coding Form is then used for 

data entry into the computer system. 

Data Transfer 

All data must be carefully and clearly printed on the Input Coding Form in upper and lower 

case (or as directed) and in exactly the same form as shown on the work maps, except that no 

abbreviations are permitted, all words must be spelled out. 

Data Elements and Record Format 

Introduction 

Each name record consists of categories of information called data elements arranged in a 

particular order as illUstrated on the Input Coding Form (fig. 7) because they will also be 

encoded for machine entry. After the completion of the names research program and map 

annotation, the information is ready to be encoded for entry into the data base. This is 

accomplished by transferring the map annotations and associated map data to the Input 

Coding Form. The encoding form is arranged in the same order as the G NIS data input 

software (GDIP). The following categories describe the data to be encoded. Any specific 

entity can have only one record name in the data base. Each data element is identified by a: 

• Descriptive name (column 2 on the input form), 

• Format code (column 1 on the input form). 

Record Number 

The NUMBER line (aO) is used only for adding variants to existing records in the data base or 

for minor corrections to existing information in the data base. New names and associated 

new name information will never have a record number. 

-26-
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Input Coding Form 

(aO) =NUM==B=E=R~---------------------------------------------------1 

(al) ~NAM~E~-----------------------------------------------------

(a3) =DE~S~I~G~----------------------------------------------------

(a4) * ;LO~C~--------------------------------------------------------

(a5) * ~CO~U=N~TY~------------------------------------------------------

(a9) *MAP NAME (a6) *LATLONG 

**HEADS MAPNAME (a7) HEADS 

(all) =E=LE~V~-----------------------------------------------------

(al5) =HI=S~T~-----------------------------------------------------

(al6) *V ~A~R=-------------------------------------------------------

(al7) SIZE 

(al8) STATUS 

(al9) SPDESIG 

(a20) STR 

(a98) REMARKS 

(a99) BIBLIO 

*multiple entries required if necessary - if corrections are required 

with multiple entries, then all entries must be re-entered except 

variants - use the back if more room is needed. 

**If the mouth and source are on the same map, no Heads Mapname will 

be recorded. 

Note: See Chapter 3 for detailed instructions. 

Figure 7 .--Input Coding Form 

-27-
The information recorded here is always an eight-digit number that can be found on the 

special Phase I listing supplied by the G NIS manager or that can be obtained interactively if 

one has this option. 

Record Name 

The geographic name entered on the NAME line (al) of the Input Coding Form is the official 

or primary name to which all variant names and spellings are referenced. Normal spacing and 

upper-lower case spelling are to be used regardless of the type shown on the source document 

(example: "Lakewood" not "LAKEWOOD"). Exceptions occur when an upper-case letter is 

normal)y used within the body of the specific part of a name; DeKalb, LaMarr. 

Except for the genitive (possessive) apostrophe, all nonletter characters that are part of the 

name are to be properly recorded on the coding form. This includes the apostrophe (O'Malley 

Creek), hyphen (Miller-White Ditch), and the accents acute (e), grave (e), circumflex (e), tilde 

(ii), and cedilla (c). 

Each name is printed letter by letter, word by word, in its normal order except in those cases 

where the generic part of the name of a natural (physical) feature precedes the specific part 

as in Mount Adams, Lake Ann, Bay Saint Louis, and Lake of the WOOds. In such cases the specific or substantive part is listed first, followed by a comma, a blank space, and the remaining 

parts of the names: 

Adams, Mount 

Ann, Lake 

Saint Louis, Bay 

Woods, Lake of the. 

However, a populated place, locality, civil division (city, village, county, township, crossroad, 

and railroad siding) or any other cultural feature named for a physical feature is always listed 

in normal order even though the generic part of the name may precede the specific part. A 

village or locaUty called "Mount Calvary" is listed in that order, while a physical feature with 

the same name is shown with the specific part of the name first; that is, "Calvary, Mount." 

Names containing the definite article in the initial position should be reversed. For example, 

The Ditch and La Mesa become Ditch, The and Mesa, La respectively. Names for cultural and 

physical features that no longer exist must be followed by the word historical in parentheses. 

Similarly, the word subdivision in parentheses should follow entries that are integral parts of 

populated areas. 

Feature Class 

The feature classes entered on the DESIG line (a3) are designed to group similar features inOO. 

broad categories-to facilitate search and retrieval. The Map Feature GUide (Appendix G) provides a reference for all la}own geographic-name generics to the appropriate broad featute . 

class. l:lowever, 'if a geographic-name generic not yet in GNIS is encountered, it should be 

recorded on the "Generic Information" form (fig. 8) and submitted to the GNIS manager 

through the project coordinator. 

. . 

-28-
GENERIC INFORMATION FORK 

Gen-eric or Unusual Word 

GNIS Feature Class 

Location of Primary Geographic Coordinates - circle one: 

center mouth top dam 

Standard Abbreviation (if known) 

Type of feature to which THE GENERIC REFERS 

Etymology or Description (if known): 

An example of the use of this generic can be found on/in 

MAP NAME 

SCALE 

STATE 

OR 

TEXTUAL SOURCE: 

Figure 8.--Generic information form used to identify and report new 

generic words found in geographic names. 

State/ County Codes 

"The Standard for Counties and County Equivalents of the States of the United States" (FIPS 

PUB 6-2, latest edition) published by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards will be the source 

for codes on the LOC line (a4) to identify the States and counties in which a named feature 

occurs. The individual code is five digits. The first two digits refer to the State and the last 

three digits refer to the county or county equivalent. This is an alphanumeric variable-length 

field. A five-digit State/ county code will be recorded for each county and State in which the 

named entity is located. When more than one code is entered, the State and county in which 

the primary coordinate symbol is located is listed first. The sequence thereafter is from 

"mouth to source" for drainage features, referred to in GNIS as linear features, and multiple 

entries are separated by blanks. 

When a feature is in both United States territory and another country, the appropriate 2-

character alphabetical FIPS code will be used, for example, CA for Canada, MX for Mexico, 

UR for Soviet Union, UK for the United Kingdom, and WS for Western Samoa. 

-29-
County Name 

The specific part of the county name, or county equivalent name, is printed on the COUNTY 

line (aS). Record all county names (separated by a comma and a blank) including counties in 

other States. The county names in other States are followed by the 2-character alphabetical 

FIPS code for the State enclosed in parentheses. Example: Snohomish (W A). Only the specific part of the name is listed. Arlington County and Terrebonne Parish are listed as: -

Arlington 

Terrebonne. 

If the primary coordinate is located in an independent city, the specific name of the city or 

town is recorded followed by the word city in parentheses. Example: Richmond (city). 

Geographic Coordinates 

Geographic coordinates entered on the LATLONG line (a6) are established not only to locate 

named places, features, and areas, but also to indicate the extent of certain kinds of features 

and to identify all map cells on which a named entity is located. The coordinates are categorized , into primary, secondary, and source locations of parts of some entities, such as the 

mouths and heads of streams, canyons, valleys, and washes. The armotation symbols suggested for use on the work maps are: 

* = primary coordinate 

x = secondary coordinate 

f)= source coordinate. 

More complete instructions as to the locations where geographical coordinates are to be taken 

may be found in the Map Feature Guide (Appendix G). 

A 15-character compressed geographic coordinate is used in line a6 for primary and 

secondary points. Multiple data items are separated by a blank space. If the degrees of 

longitude are less than 100 a leading 0 must be present. Example: 2S0607N0713214W. 

The primary and secondary coordinates are geographic coordinates that not only locate and 

indicate certain feature limits, but also associate a named feature with the map or maps on 

which it appears. Latitude is in degrees, minutes, and seconds followed by one alphabetical 

directional character (N or S); and longitude is in degrees, minutes, and seconds followed by 

one alphabetical directional character (E or · W). There is a geographic coordinate associated 

with each topographic map or cell on which a feature is located. The primary coordinate 

followed by all secondary coordinates will be recorded after the precedence code "a6." Multiple entries or data items may be required. The order recorded is from mouth to source for 

linear features and generally from the center outward for areal features. 

All primary and secondary coordinates must be recorded within ±S seconds (about 400 feet) of 

accuracy at a scale of 1:24,000 or 1:25,000. Geographic coordinates may be accurately determined by means of 10-space dividers, scaling rulers, special coordinate overlays, or by the 

use of an electronic digitizer. Procedures for establishing coordinates for Phase n encoding 

should be arranged with the G NIS Manager (see Appendix H). 

The primary coordinate entry is the first coordinate on the form and should locate a point at 

the mouth of a linear feature and at the approximate center of an areal feature .. Specific 

instructions as to where the geographic coordinates are to be taken are found in the Map 

-30-
Feature Guide (Appendix G) or may be obtained interactively by accessing the Reference 

Data Base. The approximate center must be determined subjectively for areal features with 

indefinite, irregular, or nondiscernible boundaries. The centers of populated places often may 

be determined by locating certain features such as the town or city hall, main library, main 

post office, the old central business district, or a main intersection. The mouth of a natural 

feature refers to the terminus of linear entities such as streams, valleys, and canyons and is 

located where the feature joins another feature of the same kind, ends in a delta, an alluvial 

fan, or no longer has a discernible channel or troughlike characteristics. Primary coordinates 

for entities classified as summits are recorded at the tops or highest points of the features. 

The Primary Coordinate entry corresponds to the data elements county name, map name, and 

State/ county code. 

The appropriate primary coordinate should be recorded if it is available. If the primary 

coordinate is not available, enter the IS-character entry *PRIMARY COORD* followed by 

all subsequent secondary coordinates related to the named feature. 

The secondary coordinate is a point arbitrarily chosen to locate the named feature on maps or 

cells through which it passes or on maps that do not contain the primary coordinate. Choose 

.only one secondary coordinate for each 7.5- x 7.5-minute cell on which the feature is 

located. Its only purpose is to identify the name with the map and general extent of the 

feature. The location of each secondary coordinate may be anywhere on the map as long as it 

is located on the feature in question. All secondary coordinates correspond on a one-to-one 

basis with multiple data items in the mapname data element. 

Source Coordinate 

The source coordinate is a 1 S-character compressed geographic coordinate identical in format 

to the coordinates found in the primary and secondary coordinate field. There must be only 

one geographic coordinate to represent the source of a linear feature on the HEADS line (a7). 

The annotator will assign the source coordinate symbol f) to the furthest point at the head of 

the longest, straightest extension of the named feature unless its location is otherwise 

defined on the map by name placement, textual description, or other influencing variable. 

This procedure is in accordance with the policies of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. 

See figure 9 for examples of locating points for source coordinates. If the source coordinate 

is outside the State, the appropriate coordinate should be obtained. If it is not available, the 

line on the coding form will be filled in with *SOURCE COORD*. 

Map/Chart Name 

The MAPNAME line (a9) on the coding form allows for the inclusion of a variable-length 

mapname. The entry for this field is the name of the topographic map on which the primary 

or secondary coordinate occurs even though the feature may not be named and (or) not 

symbolized on the map. If a feature lies outside the bounds of topogr,aphic map coverage, 

reference to a chart source should be made if applicable. For example, the reference NOS 

12345 indicates that the feature is covered on National Ocean Service Chart 12345 and is 

outside the bounds of the National Topographic Map Series. Record all entries for each feature and separate multiple entries by a comma and a blank space. If the map lies outside the 

boundaries of the State being encoded, record the name of the map followed by a blank space 

and the two-character alphabetical FIPS code for the State in which the map is located. 

31 
Figure 9 .--A source (sometimes called head) coordinate is to be taken at the extreme head of 

the longest, straightest branch of a stream and the longest, straightest, or deepest 

branch of a canyon. The source coordinate is established at the extreme head of 

drainage detenmdned by reentrant contour lines and not necessanuy at the end of a 

stream symbol or end of the name printed on the map. In the first symbol, West End 

Canyon represents a borderline case. However, it appears that its source coordinate 

would be best established on branch A because it is the longest and straightest branch. 

32 
Elevation 

Topographic maps show elevations for selected points, such as the summits of hills and mountains, crossroads, mountain passes or gaps, lakes and ponds, and dams. Surveyed points are 

shown in black print, photogrammetrically determined elevations are in brown, and water 

elevations are shown in blue. Every effort should be made to record the elevations of named 

features on the ELEV line (all) when appropriate. Elevations for linear features may be 

recorded at the mouth and source, and it is useful to have elevations for most named bodies 

of water, such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. Elevations are required for all populated 

places and summits. Elevations not recorded on the map can be determined by interpolating 

contours. 

The following rules apply to determining and recording elevations: 

• Only one elevation will be recorded for each name record; 

• · Elevations are to be given in feet; 

• Elevations may be no longer than five characters including a negative symbol; 

• Elevations are to be recorded at, or very near, the primary coordinate location; 

• Negative values (feet below sea level) are preceded by a minus sign(-); 

• Elevations are determined for the highest points of summits such as mountains, 

peaks, hills, mesas, ridges, mounds, and bluffs; 

• Elevations are determined for the lowest points of passes, gaps, notches, and basins; 

• Elevations for bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are determined 

by water level. 

• Elevations for the G NIS categories of populated place (ppl) and summit, when not 

published on the map, should be estimated according to the location of the primary 

coordinate between the upper and lower contour lines. 

Historical Note 

Historical information is recorded on the HIST line (alS) and is free-form text. This information is useful but should be recorded only if it is immediately available. Extra time 

researching this information is not recommended for the Phase n program. If historical 

information is obtained, priority should be given to name origin and derivation and chronology 

of usage. 

Variant Name(s) 

Variant name, recorded on the VAR line (al6), refers to all other known names or speilings 

once or presently applied to the entity identified by the record name. The following rules 

apply to the recording of variant names on the coding form: 

33 
• If more than one variant name exists for a record, they are separated by a comma 

and a blank space. 

• The bibliographic code must be recorded and is in parentheses following the variant. 

• If the variant name is or was known to have been formerly applied to only a part of 

the name record feature, the expression (in part) in parentheses should follow the 

variant name. 

Size of Feature 

The size of the feature refers to a short variable length, upper/lower case, alphanumeric 

description that indicates the length of linear features and the breadth of areal features in 

English units. After the precedence code on the SIZE line (a17), it is possible to enter a short 

phrase indicating size. Example: 41 miles long and 2 miles wide, 123 miles long, 8 acres. 

Federal Status 

This code indicates the status of the record name and its application as determined by U.S. 

Board on Geographic Names. See Appendix I for a list of feature classes associated with 

status categories. After the precedence code on the STATUS line (a18), enter an all-uppercase entry for status. The possible categories are: 

BGN- the name is official according to the policies of the U.S. Board on Geographic 

Names, 

BGN (YEAR)- the name is official and the year of special research toresolve a controversy is given, 

US (YEAR) - the name is official by an Act of Congress, 

ADMIN- the name is official according to an administrative Federal, State, or local 

organizaton, 

UNOFF- the name is considered unofficial because it is not within the purview of the 

U.S. Board on Geographic Names, or any other official organization. 

Special Designators 

Special designator on the SPDESIG line (a19) is used to indicate the named entity in which a 

subdivision is located. It is also used to indicate the ownership of~ administrative areas. 

Entries should be made according to the following categories: 

Subdivisions 

• Name of area in which subdivision is located 

Administrative areas 

• Federally owned, 

• State owned, 

• Municipally owned, 

• Privately owned, and 

• Commercially owned. 

34 
Section, Township, Range, and Meridian 

The section, township, range, and meridian information should be recorded on the LTR line 

(a20) if the State uses the Public Land Survey System. The information in this data element 

provides location according to the system established to administer the public lands of the 

United States. The public domain included all the lands ceded to the Federal Government by 

the colonial States, and all subsequent lands acquired from native Americans and foreign 

powers. (See figure 10.) The 13 original States, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vermont, Maine, West 

Virginia, Texas, and Hawaii do not use the Public Land Survey System. In addition, present 

territories, outlying areas, and commonwe~ths are not included. 

The basic provisions of the Public Land Survey System require that the public lands be divided 

by north and south lines corresponding to true meridians of longitude and by base lines 

crossing the meridians at right angles, forming areas of 6 miles square called townships. The 

east-west boundaries are termed township lines while the north-south boundaries are termed 

range lines. Townships are normally divided into 36 sections ideally containing 640 acres each 

or 1 square mile. By necessity, a section may have less than 640 acres, but it may still be 

considered as a complete, numbered section. 

Because the range lines follow longitudinal meridians, they converge at the poles. This convergence is apparent in surveying the township lines. Therefore, correction lines called standard parallels are used to offset the convergence of the range lines to allow each section to 

represent as nearly as possible 1 square mile. 

When recording information for entry into the data base, only the section number in which 

the primary coordinates of the feature are located will be recorded. However, if a feature is 

in more than one township and/or range, all townships and ranges should be recorded, but no 

section numbers should be recorded. The examples in figure 11 provide a guide for recording 

the information. 

Remarks 

The REMARKS entry line (a98) is free-form text and may be used to convey anything about 

the name record's research, compilation, or encoding to the GNIS manager or staff. For 

example, it may be appropriate to explain why geographic coordinates are not present in the 

name record. 

Bibliographic Entry 

The bibliographic entry on the BIBLIO line (a99) provides a ready reference to the exact compilation source of all names not recorded from USGS topographic maps. The absence of the 

code indicates that the name was recorded on the USGS topographic map during Phase I compilation (1976-1981). See Appendix J for a list of national bibliographic source codes. If no 

bibliographic code is available, enter the word none. The line should not be left blank because 

an entry is needed to close the record. The complete annotated bibliography used in Phase n 

compilation for each State will be available in the Reference Data Base. Annotated bibliographies and codes should be sent to the GNIS manager for approval and recording. 

35 
w 

0\ 

MWAII 

Figure 10.-States not shaded are partitioned according to the Public Lands Surveying System 

as proclaimed by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. 
LaJ 

...-4 

a= 

6 54 3 2 1 6 54 3 2 1 6 54 3 2 1 

7 

18 

19 

30 

31 

6 

7 

18 

19 

30 

31 

6 

7 

18 

19 

30 

8 9 10 

26 25 30 29 

31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 33 34 35 36 31 32 

36 

2 1 

11 12 

14 13 

24 

25 

36 

TlS 

T2S 

Figure 11.--An example of recording section, township, range, and meridian information. The 

two shaded areas represent geographic features and the land survey information is 

recorded as follows: Small shaded section- Sec 34, T2S, R2E, Fifth Principal Meridian; 

Large shaded section- T1N, Tps 1&2 S, Rgs 1&2 E, R1W, Fifth Principal Meridian. 

37 
CHAPTER4 

PHASE ll, PART 3: ENCODING DATA 

Once Phase II name data have been collected and annotated on the work maps, and after the 

coding forms have been completed, the name records are ready to be put into machinereadable form and become part of the National Geographic Names Data Base. Part 3 involves 

the actual encoding of data for entry into the system. Technical information on the equipment and procedures necessary for this operation is obtainable from the G NIS Manager. 

Organizations that participate in an official Phase IT program (at their option) will be provided 

with data entry software developed by the G NIS staff specifically for the program. This predesigned software, known as GDIP, will save time in designing other input encoding programs. 

This package is also designed to automatically generate information for certain required 

categories, thereby saving data keying time as well as eliminating certain categories from 

being transcribed onto the coding forms. If one elects to use the GNIS data input software, 

the following data categories need not be transcribed or keyed: 

a4 LOC 

al8 STATUS 

The G DIP software operates on any IBM or IBM-compatible personal computer, and au~ 

matically formats the data into the required G NIS format for entry into the data base. 

Additional comments regarding current encoding procedures for the record data elements are 

listed below. Changes and enhancements to the procedures may be made periodically and the 

GNIS Manager should be consulted before any actual keying of data is done. 

• Multiple entries: All data elements having multiple data items follow two rules. 

Text data items are separated by a comma and a blank space while numeric data 

items are separated by only a blank space. 

• Corrections: If a correction is made to a data element with multiple data items, all 

data items must be rekeyed except variants. 

• Name - al: If the computer system being used does not provide for the recording of 

diacritical marks, the name should be followed by a blank space followed by an 

asterisk to indicate the presence of a special writing mark in the name, for example, 

Canon del Norte *. 

• Feature class - a3: The feature-class term is recorded and entered in lower-case 

letters only. 

• Elevation - all: All numerical elevations are to be aligned on the left and are not to 

exceed five character spaces. 

38 
APPENDIXES 
APPENDIX A.-Categories of Named Features not Included in the 

Geographic Names Information System 

Phase I 

Generally, all named features on the most-current largest-scale USGS topographic maps 

were included for Phase I compilation. Some categories of named features, however, were 

omitted from Phase I because more complete lists of these categories were available from 

other sources. If a State or territory has been completed only through Phase I, the following 

categories of named features will not be present: 

• Airports, 

• Radio and television station towers, 

• Federally administered areas greater than 30 square miles, 

• Major and minor civil divisions, 

• Some major or large features that are too large to be named on 

7 .5-minute, 1 :24,000-scale topographic maps, 

• Regional names, 

• Historical names, 

• Most building names, 

• Roads and highways. 

Phase II 

Available information from the categories not compiled during Phase I, as well as geographic 

names from other sources, are added during Phase II. If a State or territory has been completed through Phase II compilation, information for all known named features should be 

present except for roads and highways. 

40 
APPENDIX B.·-Sources for the Geographic Names Information System 

Primary sources in order of their research and compilation 

• USGS quadrangle ntaps published or reprinted since Phase I compilation 

• National Ocean Service (NOS) Charts and River and Lake Charts 

• U.S. Forest Service Maps 

• U.S. Board on Geographic Names list of names not found on USGS 

maps 

• U.S. National Bureau of Standards FIPS 55 list 

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dams and Reservoirs list 

• Federal Aviation clministration Airport list 

• National Park Serviice lists 

• Federal Communic;c..tion Commission Radio and television station list 

• Shopping Center lis.ting 

• County maps publis:hed by the State (not provided by USGS) 

• Primary State maps (highway, etc.) (not provided by USGS) 

• Real estate multiple listing maps (not provided by USGS) 

• List of schools, andl churches (not provided by USGS) 

• Historical maps, atlases, and gazetteers (not provided by USGS) 

Additional information m1L1St be added for: 

• Counties ,e Townships 

• Other minor civil divisions 

• State and Federal Recreation, Wildlife areas, etc. 

• Missing major or large features · 

• Regional names 

Optional Sources are: 

• City plats 

• Textual material h;c..ving reference to geographic names 

• Historical Federal sources such as old NOS charts and 

pilots, old Postal Guides, etc. 

• Bureau of Indian Affairs information 

41 
APPENDIX C.-USGS Topographic Map Preparation and Instructions for 

Phase D Input to the Geographic Names Information System 

- Outline county boundaries. 

- Annotate FIPS codes on map collar adjacent to the county. 

-Draw lines at 2.5-minute ticks for determining coordinates if 

coordinates are determined manually. 

-Editing checks. 

- Add new variants. 

- Prepare annotated bibliography. 

-Interpolate elevations for populated places (ppl) and summits. 

42 
APPENDIX :0 .-The Domestic G~ofl!:!l!hic Name Report form used for ~ttinJ~ name problems to ~e U.S. Board on Geographic Names. 

Form9-IH3 (Apr. 1967) 

UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENT OFTHEINTERIOR 

BOARD ON GEOGRAI'HIC NAMES 

DOMESTIC GEOGRAPHIC NAME 

REPORT 

ControvJrsial name 

Name an~e 

Changedl application 

Other 

I 

Recommended name 

State· 

County 

I Lat. __ 0 __ • __ "N, Long. __ 0 __ •___ ..,. Mouth End Center (Circle one) 

Lat. __ o--' ---"N, Long. __ 0 __ • ___ "W, Heading End (Circle one) 

Description of feature: where appropriate, give shape, le j gth, width, direction of flow or trend, direction and distance 

of extremities from points with established names, and s~ction, township, range, meridian where useful, also elevation 

if known. 

ublished Maps Using Recommend~d Name 

(Map name, date, agency,&: scale) Variant Name or Application 

I 

Map or Source Using Variant 

(Map name, date, agency, &: scale) 

Available information as to origin, spelling, and meaning of the tecommended name and/or statement concerning nature of 

difference in usage or applical.ion: I 

AUTHORITY FOR RECOMMENDED NAME t¥ILING ADDRESS OCCUPATION 

I Title Date 

Submitted by: 

Name 

Agency I Address 

Person who prepared this copy if other than above: Date 

Name I Title 

43 

I. 
APPENDIX E.-Staodai'd Cartographic Abbreviations 

Academy A cad Crater Ctr 

Agency Agcy Cre.ek Cr 

Air Force Base AFB Crossing Xing 

Airfield Afld' District Dist 

Airport Aprt Ditch D 

Anchorage Anch Divide Div· 

Aqueduct A que Division Div 

Arroyo A Dock Dk 

Atoll At Dockyard DkydBank Bk Elevation Elev ' . 

Bay B Entrance Entr 

Bayou B Estuary Est .. . " . 

Beacon Bn Ferry Fy 

Bottom Bot Field Fld .. 

Branch Br Flat Fl 

Breakwater Bkwr Foot Ft 

Bridge Br Ford Fd 

Brook · Bk Forest For 

Building Bldg Fork · Fk 

Canal Can Fort Ft 

Canyon Can Glacier Gl 

Cape c Grade Gr 

Castle Cas Grant Gt 

Cemetery Cem Gulch · Gl 

Channel Chan GUlf' Gf 

Chapel Ch Hammock Hmk f. 

Chimney Cby High School HS · · · 

Church Ch Hollow Hol 

Civil Division Civ Hook Hk ". 

College Col Hospital Hos . \ . 

Comer Cor Institute Inst ~-

County Co Island(s) I, Is 

Cove c Islet · It 

Isthmus Isth Shoal Shl 

44 
APPENDIX: E.-StaDdard canlgrapbic Abbreviatioos-contiDuef 

Jetty Jty Sieling Sdg 

Junction June Sl<>ugh Slu 

Lagoon Ln Spring Spr 

Lake(s) L Square Sq 

Land Grant LdGt Station Sta 

L~ding Ldg StJrait Str 

Landing Field Ldg Fld St.lream Str 

L~ding Strip Ldg Str Terrace Ter 

Li$hthouse LH Thorofare Thoro 

Lookout LO Ti41al Flat TidFl 

Me,adow Mdw Tower Tr 

Monument Mon Township Twp 

Mount Mt Track Tk 

M~untain Mtn Tributary Trib 

M~untains Mts University Univ 

Ocean 0 Valley Val 

Park Pk Viaduct Vi ad 

Passage Pass Villlage Vil 

Peak Pk Volcano Vole 

I 

Peninsula Pen Wharf Whf 

Plateau Plat Wbtdmill WM I 

Point Pt Yard Yd 

Pond Pd 

Pr0jection Proj 

Pr0montory Prom 

Quarry Qry 

Range R 

Ravine Rav 

Reef Rf 

Refuge Rfg 

Reservoir Res 

River R 

Rock Rd 

Run R 

School Sch 

45 
APPENDIX F.-Glossary of Feature-Class Terms 

The feature-class terms and abbreviations currently consist of up to nine letters. They were 

chosen for computer search and retrieval purposes and do not necessarily represent terminology for the identification of all kinds of cultural and natural features. Although some of 

the terms may agree with dictionary definitions, they represent more generalized categories. 

Some commonly used generic names are listed at the end of each entry to assist in understanding the range of cultural and natural entities represented by the term. Refer to the 

Reference Data Base to retrieve all generics thus far encountered in geographic names 

compilation (Appendix G). In most instances a plural form is listed as if it were singular; for 

example, archipelago or islands would be categorized as island. The terms and the definitions 

are as follows: 

airport- manmade facility maintained for the use of aircraft (airfield, airstrip, landing 

field, landing strip). 

arch- natural arch-like opening in a rock mass (bridge, natural bridge, sea arch). 

area- any one of several areally extensive natural features not included in other 

categories (badlands, barren, delta, fan, garden). 

arroyo- watercourse or channel through which water may occasionally flow (coulee, 

draw, gully, wash). 

bar - natural accumulation of sand, gravel, or alluvium forming an underwater or 

exposed embankment (ledge, reef, sandbar, shoal, spit). 

basin- natural depression or relatively low area enclosed by higher land (amphitheater, 

cirque, pit, sink). 

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). 

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). 

bench- area of relatively levelland 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). 

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). 

bridge - manmade · structure carrying a trail, road, or other transportation system across 

a body of water or depression (causeway, overpass, trestle). 

building- a manmade structure with walls and a roof for protection of people and (or) 

materials but not including a church, hospital, or school. 

canal- manmade waterway used by watercraft or for drainage, irrigation, mining, or 

water power (ditch, lateral). 

cape - projection of land extending into a body of water (lea, neck, peninsula, point). 

cave - natural underground passageway or chamber, or a hollowed out cavity in the side 

of a cliff (cavern, grotto). 

cemetery- a place or area for burying the dead (burial, burying ground, grave, memorial 

garden). 

channel - linear deep part of a body of water through which the main volume of water 

flows and is frequently used as a route for watercraft: (passage, reach, strait, 

thoroughfare, throughfare). 

church- building used for religious worship (chapel, mosque, synagogue, tabernacle, 

temple). 

civil - a political division formed for administrative purposes (borough, county, 

municipio, parish, town, township). 

46 
cliffcratercrossingdamfallsflatforestgapgeyser~ 

glaciergutharborhospitalislandisthmuslakelavaleveelocalemineoilfieldotherparkpillarplainAPPENDIX F.-Glossary of F~ature-Class Terms-continued 

very steep or vertical slope ~luff, crag, head, headland, nose, palisades, 

precipice, promontory, rim, rimropk). 

circular depression at the summit lof a volcanic cone or one on the surface of the 

land caused by the impact of a ~eteorite:; a manmade depressioa caused by an 

explosion (caldera, lua). I 

a place where two or more ~utes of transportation form a junction or 

intersection (overpass, underpass) 

water barrier or embankment bu· t across the course of a stream or into a body 

of water to control and (or) impo'fd the flow of water (breakwater, dike, jetty). 

perpendicular or very steep fall pf water in the course of a stream (cascade, 

cataract, waterfall). ~ 

relative level area within a regio of greatc~r relief (clearing, glade, playa). 

bounded area of woods, forest, or grassland under the administration of a 

political agency (see woods) (nati~nal forest, national grasslands, State forest). 

low point or opening between hills or mowttains or in a ridge or mountain range 

(col, notch, pass, saddle, water gaf1 , wind ga.p). 

eruptive spring from which hot w ter and (or) steam and in some cases mud are 

periodically thrown. 

body or stream of ice movin! outward and downslope from an area of 

accumulation; an area of relative~ permanent snow or ice on the top or side of a 

mountain or mountainous area (icefield, ice patch, snow patch). 

relatively small coastal waterway connecting larger bodies of water or other 

waterways (creek, inlet, slough). 1 

sheltered area of water wheret sps or other watercraft can anchor or dock 

(hono, port, roads, roadstead). 

building where the sick or injur . d may rteceive medical or surgical attention 

(infirmary). 

area of dry or relatively dry land sw:-rounded by water or low wetland 

(archipelago, atoll, cay, hammock~ hummock, isla, isle, key, moku, rock). 

narrow section of land in a body of water connecting two larger land areas. 

natural body of inland water (backwater, la.c, lagoon, laguna, pond, pool, resaca, 

waterhole). I 

formations resulting from the co~olidation of molten rock on the surface of the 

Earth (kepula, lava flow). I_ natural or manmade embankment flanking a. stream (bank, berm). · I 

place at which there is or was ~uman a<:tivity; it does not include populated 

places (ppl), mines, and dams {bfl.ttlefield, crossroad, camp, farm, ghost town, 

junction, landing, railroad siding, ranch, ruins, site, station, windmill). 

place or area from which commercial minerals are or were removed from the 

Earth; not including oilfield (pit, <iuarry, shaft). 

area where petroleum is or was r' moved fr·om the Earth. 

category for miscellaneously narped manrnade entities that cannot readily be 

placed in the other feature classes listed hc:~re. 

place or area set aside for recrdation or preservation of a cultural or natural 

resource and under some form I of government administration; not including 

National or State forests (national historical landmark, national park, state park, 

wilderness area). I 

vertical, standing, often spire-shaped, natural rock formation (chimney, 

monument, pinnacle, pohaku, roc~ tower). 

a region of general uniform slope, comparatively level and of considerable extent 

(grassland, highland, kula, plateau, upland). 

I 

I 

47 
pplrangerapidsreservereservoirridgeschoolseaslopespringstreamsummitswamptowertrailtunnelvalleywellwoodsAPPENDIX F.-Glossary of Feature-Class Terms-contim•ed 

populated place; place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a 

permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village). 

chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear complex mountainous or hilly 

area (cordillera, sierra). 

fast-flowing section of a stream, often shallow and with exposed rock or 

boulders (riffle, ripple). 

a tract of land set aside for a specific use; does not include forests, civil 

divisions, or parks. 

artificially impounded body of water (lake, tank). 

elevation with a narrow, elongated crest which can be part of a hill or mountain 

(crest, cuesta, escarpment, hogback, lae, rim, spur). 

building or group of buildings used as an institution for study, teaching, and 

learning (academy, -college, high school, university). 

large body of salt water (gulf, ocean). 

a gently inclined part of the Earth's surface (grade, pitch). 

place where underground water flows naturally to the surface of the Earth (seep). 

linear body of water flowing on the Earth's surface (anabranch, awawa, bayou, 

branch, brook, creek, distributary, fork, kill, pup, rio, river, run, slough). 

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, hom, knob, knoll, mauna, mesa, mesita, mound, 

mount, mountain, peak, puu, rock, sugarloaf, table, volcano). 

poorly drained wetland, fresh or saltwater, wooded or grassy, possibly covered 

with open water (bog, cienega, marais, marsh, pocosin). 

a manmade structure, higher than its diameter, generally used for observation, 

storage, or electronic transmission. 

route for passage from one point to another; does not include roads or highways 

Ueep trail, path, ski trail). 

linear passageway open at both ends. 

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). 

manmade shaft or hole in the Earth's surface used to obtain fluid or gaseous 

materials. 

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). 

48 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

A a lava center 

Aboitea.U reservoir dam 

Acaderqy school center 

Acclivity slope center 

Acequia canal center 

Addition locale center 

Adert slope center 

Adit mine center 

Agency locale center 

Agua stream mouth yes 

Abu summit top 

Aiguille pillar top 

Air Facility military center 

Air Force Base military center 

Air Station military center 

Airfield airport center 

Airport airport center 

Airstrip! airport center 

Aisle gap center 

Alcove cave center 

Aljibe reservoir dam 

Alluvial! Fan area center 

Alluvium area center 

Alto summit top 

Ammunition Depot military center 

Ammunition Plant military center 

Amphibious Base military center 

Amphitheater basin center 

Amusement Park park center 

Anabranch stream mouth yes 

Anchor bar center 

Anchorage harbor center 

Anse bay center 

Anse stream mouth yes 

Aquafact pillar top 

Aquatic1 Preserve park center 

Aqueduct canal center 

Arboretum park center 

Arch arch center 

Arc hi pel island center 

Archipelago island center 

Area area center 

Arete * ridge center 

Arm bay center 

Arm stream mouth yes 

Arm summit top 

49 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT RBQ 

Army Depot military center 

Army Headquarters military center 

Army Post military center 

Arrecife bar center 

Arroyo arroyo mouth yes 

Arroyo stream mouth yes 

Arsenal military center 

Atoll island center 

Awawa stream mouth yes 

Back slope center 

Back summit top 

Backbone ridge center 

Backdeep valley mouth yes 

Backwater lake center 

Badlands area center 

Bag bay center 

Bahada area center 

Bahia bay center 

Baie bay center 

Baie gut center 

Baie lake center 

Baissiere lake center 

Bald summit top 

Baldy summit top 

Balk ridge center 

Ball ridge center 

Ball summit top 

Bally summit top 

Balm cave center 

Balneario beach center 

Bane bar center 

Banco lake center 

Bank bar center 

Bank levee center 

Banks summit top 

Bantam bar center 

Bar bar center 

Baraboo summit top 

Barachois lake center 

Barasway lake center 

Barchan summit top 

Barracks military center 

Barranca valley mouth yes 

Barre bar center 

Barren summit top 

Barrens area center 

Barrier Beach island center 

50 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide--caotinued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Barrier Island island center 

Barrio civil center 

Basin harbor center 

Basin basin center 

Basin bay center 

Bassin basin center 

Bath spring center 

Battery military center 

Battle Field locale center 

Battlefield locale center 

Batture summit top 

Bay bay center 

Bay lake center 

Bay swamp center 

Baygall swamp center 

Baygul swamp center 

Bayou swamp center 

Bayou stream mouth yes 

Bayou (flowing) stream mouth yes 

Bayou (stagnant) gut center 

Beach (populated) ppl center 

Beach (unpopulated) beach center 

Beacon tower center 

Bed flat center 

Bed stream mouth yes 

Beigh ppl center 

Be inn summit top 

Bell island center 

Bell bar center 

Ben peak top 

Bench bench center 

Bend bend center 

Berg summit top 

Berm ridge center 

Berth harbor center 

Bight bay center 

Bill cape center 

Bite bay center 

Block pillar top 

Block summit top 

Blow-Me-Down cliff center 

Blowhole cave center 

Blowout basin center 

Bluff cliff center 

Boca area center 

Bocca crater center 

Bog swamp center 

51 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Bogan swamp center 

Bogue (flowing) stream mouth yes 

Bogue (still) lake center 

Bois woods center 

Bolly summit top 

Bolson basin center 

Bonnet summit top 

Borehole well center 

Boro ppl center 

Borough ppl center 

Borough civil center 

Bosquet woods center 

Bosse summit top 

Bot bend center 

Bottleneck bay center 

Bottom bend center 

Bottom stream mouth yes 

Bottoms flat center 

Boulder summit top 

Bour stream mouth yes 

Bourne stream mouth yes 

Bowl basin center 

Box valley mouth yes 

Box Canyon valley mouth yes 

Bracket area center 

Brake swamp center 

Brake stream mouth yes 

Brake woods center 

Branch swamp center 

Branch stream mouth yes 

Branche stream mouth yes 

Brandies bar center 

Bray summit top 

Breachway gut center 

Breakers area center 

Breaks area center ' .. .. Breaks cliff center 

Breakwater dam center 

Bridal Veil falls center < 

Bridge bridge center 

Brisants bar center 

Broad area center 

Broad gut center 

Brook stream mouth yes 

Brow cliff center 

Buckle swamp center 

Buffalo Jump cliff center 

52 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature G•ahte coatinuecl 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Building building center 

Bull summit top 

Bur ppl center 

Burg ppl center 

Burgh ppl center 

Burial cemetery center 

Bum stream mouth yes 

Bum area center 

Burr summit top 

Bury ppl center 

Burying Ground cemetery center 

Buse summit top 

Butt summit top 

Butte summit top 

Buttereau summit top 

Buttress cliff center 

By ppl center 

Cabeza cape center 

Cabo cape center 

Cabin locale center 

Cachmerl.t reservoir dam 

Cairn summit top 

Cairn park center 

Cajon valley mouth yes 

Cala stream mouth yes 

Caldera crater center 

Caldron basin center 

Caleta bay center 

Caleta stream mouth yes 

Callow area center 

Cam stream mouth yes 

Camas flat center 

Camass flat center 

Camp locale center 

Campagna plain center 

Campground locale center 

Campus school center 

Canada* valley mouth yes 

Canal canal center 

Canal* channel center 

Candelas pillar top 

Cano * stream mouth yes 

Canon* valley mouth yes 

Canyon valley mouth yes 

Cap summit top 

Cap cape center 

Cape cape center 

53 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-contim•ed 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Capilla church center 

Carre plain center 

Carse bend center 

Cas pillar top 

Casa building center 

Cascade falls center 

Caster ppl center 

Castle pillar top 

Cataract rapids center 

Cataract falls center 

Catchment basin center 

Causeway bridge center 

Cave basin center 

Cave cave center 

Cavern cave center 

Caveme cave center 

Caverns cave center 

Cay island center 

Caye island center 

Cayo. bay center 

Cayo island center 

Ceja cliff center 

Cellar cave center 

Cemetery cemetery center 

Cerrillo summit top 

Cerrito summit top 

Cerro summit top 

Cester ppl center 

Cey island center 

Chain range center 

Champ plain center 

Champaign plain center 

Channel stream mouth yes 

Channel (man-made) canal center 

Channel (natural) channel center 

Chapel church center 

Charco lake center 

Chasm valley mouth yes 

Chenal channel center 

Chester ppl center 

Chimney pillar top 

Chimney summit top 

Chine valley mouth yes 

Chokey channel center 

Chops cape center 

Chuck bay center 

Chuck lake center 

54 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature ·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mar·k missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Chuckle bar center 

Church church center 

Chute stream mouth yes 

Chute channel center 

Chute gut center 

Chute rapids center 

Cienaga swamp center 

Cinder summit top 

Cirque basin center 

Cistern reservoir dam 

City (administrative) civil center 

City (populated place) ppl center 

Civil Division civil center 

Claim civil center 

Clearing flat center 

Cleft valley mouth yes 

Cleuch valley mouth yes 

Cleugh valley mouth yes 

Cliff cliff center 

Cliff Dwellings locale center 

Clint flat center 

Clove valley mouth yes 

Cluse valley mouth yes 

Coast beach center 

Coast Guard Base military center 

Coast Guard Lifeboat Station military center 

Coastline beach center 

Col gap center 

Colina summit top 

Collado summit top 

College school center 

Colline summit top 

Colombier gap center 

Column pillar top 

Comb ridge center 

Combe valley mouth yes 

Common park center 

Community ppl center 

Community Center building center 

Cone summit top 

Confluence bend center 

Confluent area center 

Congress swamp center 

Constriction gap center 

Coombe valley mouth yes 

ss 
APPENDIX G.-·Map Feature Guide~tianed 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Cordillera range center 

Comer· locale center 

Comer ppl center 

Comer •. J valley mouth yes 

Comers locale center 

Corniche cliff center 

Corral locale center 

Correctional Center building center 

Corrider gap center 

Corrie basin center 

Cote beach center 

Cote summit top 

Cote* area center 

Coteau area center 

Couch ridge center 

Coude bend center 

Coulee arroyo mouth yes 

Coulee stream mouth yes 

Coulee valley mouth yes 

Coulee* lake center 

Couloir valley mouth yes 

Coulter beach center 

Country area center 

Country Club locale center 

County civil center 

County park park center 

Courant stream mouth yes 

Courbe bend center 

Cours stream mouth yes 

Court House building center 

Cove slope center 

Cove (land) valley mouth yes 

Cove (water) bay center 

Crag cliff center 

Craigs cliff center 

Cran gap center 

Crater crater center 

Cratere crater center 

Creek bay center 

Creek canal center 

Creek gut center 

Creek stream mouth yes 

Crest (linear) ridge center 

Crest (top) summit top 

Crete ridge center 

Crevasse (earth) valley mouth yes 

Crevasse (ice) glacier center 

56 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature GuiA1e-contmned 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Crique bay center 

Crique stream mouth yes 

Crook bend center 

Crossing crossing center 

Crossroads locale center 

Crown summit top 

Cuchilla ridge center 

Cuesta ridge center 

Cul-de-sac channel center 

Culvert tunnel center 

Cumb valley mouth yes 

Cumbre summit top 

Cup summit top 

Current stream mouth yes 

Curve bend center 

Cusp beach center 

Cut channel center 

Cut gap center 

Cutbank levee center 

Cutoff bend center 

Cutoff channel center 

Cypriere * swamp center 

Dairy locale center 

Dale valley mouth yes 

Dalles cliff center 

Dalles valley mouth yes 

Dam dam center 

Danger bar center 

Deadening swamp center 

Deadwater area center 

Debouche gut center 

Debouchure area center 

Decharge stream mouth yes 

Decharge gut center 

Declivity slope center 

Deep area center 

Defile gap center 

Dell valley mouth yes 

Delta area center 

DemoiseUes pillar top 

Den valley mouth yes 

Depot locale center 

Depression basin center 

Descent slope center 

Descente slope center 

Desert plain center 

Detroit channel center 

57 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Deversant slope center 

Dike stream mouth yes 

Dike levee center 

Dingle valley mouth .yes 

Dismal swamp center 

Distributary stream mouth yes 

District civil center 

Ditch canal center 

Ditch stream mouth yes 

Divide ridge center 

Division civil center 

Doab cape center 

Dock locale center 

Dockyard locale center 

Dol valley mouth yes 

Dolina basin center 

Do line basin center 

Dome summit top 

Dong a valley mouth yes 

Doubles summit top 

Down flat center 

Downs locale center 

Draft valley mouth yes 

Dr agway locale center 

Drain (man-made) canal center 

Drain (natural) stream mouth yes 

Draw (deep) valley mouth yes 

Draw (shallow) arroyo mouth yes 

Dribble stream mouth yes 

Drift summit top 

Droke valley mouth yes 

Droke stream mouth yes 

Droke woods center 

Drook woods center 

Drook stream mouth yes 

Drook valley mouth yes 

Drop falls center 

Drum summit top 

Drumlin summit top 

Dru.mlinoid summit top 

Dru.mloid summit top 

Drywash arroyo mouth yes 

Dugout channel center 

Dugout stream mouth yes 

Dump falls center 

Dun summit top 

Dune summit top 

58 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guhile-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Dustwell basin center 

Dwip summit top 

Ears pillar top 

Eau sea center 

Eau lake center 

Echouerie bar center 

Eddy rapids center 

Eddy bay center 

Edge ridge center 

Elbow bar center 

Elbow bend center 

Elevation summit top 

Embanlcnlent levee center 

Embayment bay center 

Embouchure area center 

Eminence summit top 

End cape center 

Ensenada bay center 

Entrance gut center 

Entree gut center 

Erg plain center 

Escarpment cliff center 

Esker ridge center 

Estate locale center 

Estero bay center 

Estero stream mouth yes 

Estuary bay center 

Everglade swamp ceuter 

Ex closure locale center 

Eye island center 

Eye arch center 

Eyot island center 

Face cliff center 

Fairgrounds locale center 

Fairway channel center 

Falaises cliff center 

Fall falls center 

Falls stream mouth yes 

Falls falls center 

Fan area center 

Fang summit top 

Farm locale center 

Faro island center 

Fault valley mouth yes 

Faux chenal channel center 

Feeder stream mouth yes 

Fell summit top 

59 
AP ENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(*indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Fells area center 

Fen swamp center 

Ferry locale center 

Field park center 

Fields flat center 

Fill summit top 

Filter Plant building center 

Finger lake center 

Finger pillar top 

Fiord valley mouth yes 

Fire House building center 

Firetower locale center 

Firing Center military center 

Firing Range military center 

Fim glacier center 

Firth bay center 

Fishing Ground area center 

Fissure valley mouth yes 

Fjord valley mouth yes 

Flake cliff center 

Flat flat center 

Flatiron summit top 

Flats swamp center 

Flats (inundated) bar center 

Flatwoods swamp center 

Fleche summit top 

Fleuve stream mouth yes 

Flooding reservoir dam 

Floodplain swamp center 

Flood way channel center 

Floor flat center 

Flow stream mouth yes 

Flow bay center 

Flowage reservoir dam 

Flume stream mouth yes 

Flume (man-made) canal center 

Flume (natural) valley mouth yes 

Fly swamp center 

Fly stream mouth yes 

Fold summit top 

Folly area center 

Fond bend center 

Foot locale center 

Foot area center 

Foot Bridge bridge center 

Foothills summit top 

Ford locale center 

60 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark. missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Ford stream mouth yes 

Foredone summit top 

Foreland cliff center 

Foreside beach center 

Forest (administrative) forest center 

Forest (natural) area center 

Forge locale center 

Fork stream mouth yes 

Fort locale center 

Fortress military center 

Foso stream mouth yes 

Fosse canal center 

Fosse cemetery center 

Fosse mine center 

Fosse stream mouth yes 

Foulground bar center 

Foundry locale center 

Fount lake center 

Fountain geyser center 

Fourche stream mouth yes 

Freshet stream mouth yes 

Fulje basin center 

Fumaroles geyser center 

Funnel gap center 

Furnace locale center 

Furrow valley mouth · yes 

Galer a ridge center 

Gallery gut center 

Gallery gap center 

Game Management Area park center 

Game Reserve park center 

Gap gap center 

Garden area center 

Gate dam center 

Gate gap center 

Gate channel center 

Gateway channel center 

Gaze summit top 

Geyser geyser center 

Ghost Town locale center 

Gill valley mouth yes 

Gin locale center 

Girdle bar center 

Glacier glacier center 

Glacis slope center 

Glade flat center 

Glen valley mouth yes 

61 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Gloryhole mine center 

Goe cave center 

Goldfield area center 

Golf Course locale center 

Golfe bay center 

Gorge valley mouth yes 

Goulet gut center 

Graben valley mouth yes 

Grade slope center 

Gradient slope center 

Graike basin center 

Grain Elevator locale center 

Grange locale center 

Grange Hall locale center 

Grant civil center 

Grassland plain center 

Grave cemetery center 

Gravel Fan area center 

Greenbelt park center 

Greve beach center 

Gristmill locale center 

Grotte cave center 

Grotto cave center 

Ground shoal center 

Group area center 

Grove woods center 

Guard Station locale center 

Gulch valley mouth yes 

Gulf (land) valley mouth y~s 

Gulf (water) bay center 

Gulley arroyo mouth yes 

Gully stream mouth yes 

Gully channel center 

Gully lake center 

Gully valley mouth yes 

Gumet channel center 

Gut bay center 

Gut gut center 

Gut stream mouth yes 

Gut valley mouth yes 

Gutter channel center 

Gutter stream Mouth yes 

Gutter valley mouth yes 

Guzzle stream mouth yes 

Hall locale center 

Ham ppl center 

Hamada plain center 

62 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-cootim•ed 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Hamlet ppl center 

Hammock island center 

Hamongog summit top 

Hamp ppl center 

Harbor (man-made) harbor center 

Harbor (natural) bay center 

Hassock island center 

Hat area center 

Hat flat center 

Haut-fond bar center 

Haven harbor center 

Havre harbor center 

Hay flat center 

Hay Meadow swamp center 

Haystack island center 

Head island center 

Head stream mouth yes 

Head swamp center 

Head summit top 

Head (hill) summit top 

Head (steep face) cliff center 

Headland cliff center 

Headwall cliff center 

Headwaters stream mouth yes 

Heath flat center 

Heath swamp center 

Heaven summit top 

Heights summit top 

High summit top 

High School school center 

Highland area center 

Hill summit top 

Hillock summit top 

Hills range center 

Hirst levee center 

Historical Marker park center 

Hogback ridge center 

Hole basin center 

Hole cave center 

Hole channel center 

Hole valley mouth yes 

Hole lake center 

Hole (land) bend center 

Hole (water) bay center 

Hollow valley mouth yes 

Homestead locale center 

Hono harbor center 

63 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical inark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Hoodoos ridge center 

Hook bend center 

Hook cape center 

Hook bar center 

Hom summit top 

Hom swamp center 

Horseback ridge center 

Horseshoe bend center 

Horseshoe lake center 

Horst summit top 

Hospital hospital center 

Hot Spring spring center 

Huerfano summit top 

Hum summit top 

Hummock island center 

Hump summit top 

Hurst summit top 

Ice Patch glacier center 

Ice Shelf glacier center 

Icecap glacier center 

Icefall glacier center 

Icefield glacier center 

Icesheet glacier center 

Iglesia church center 

Ile island center 

Ilet island center 

Ilette island center 

Ilot island center 

Incline trail center 

Incline slope center 

Indian Reservation reserve center 

Industrial Park locale center 

Inferno valley mouth yes 

Infirmary hospital center 

Inlet channel center 

Inlet stream mouth yes 

Inlet (channel) gut center 

Inlet (water body) bay center 

Inn locale center 

Institute school center 

Interchange locale center 

Intercolline gap center 

Interfluve swamp center 

Intervale swamp center 

Intervale basin center 

Island(s) island center 

Isla island center 

64 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Gui<le-oontinued 

(* indicates diacritical mark. missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Isle island center 

Islet island center 

Islote island center 

Isthmus isthmus center 

Jambs valley mouth yes 

Jardins area center 

Jeep Trail trail center 

Jetty dam center 

Jonction locale center 

Jugs summit top 

Jumpoff cliff top 

Junction locale center 

Kame summit top 

Kap cliff center 

Kar basin center 

Karroo plain center 

Karst area center 

Keana cave center 

Kembut summit top 

Kettle basin center 

Kettlehole basin center 

Key island center 

Kill stream mouth yes 

Kills harbor center 

Kink bend center 

Kipuka island center 

Kipuka lava center 

Kirk church center 

Knap summit top 

Knob summit top 

Knoll summit top 

Kop summit top 

Kopje summit top 

Kula plain center 

Kwun cape center 

Labyrinth island center 

Lac lake center 

Lae cape center 

Lae ridge center 

La go lake center 

Lagoon (open water) lake center 

Lagoon (vegetation) swamp center 

Laguna lake center 

Laguna stream mouth yes 

Lagune lake center 

Lake flat center 

Lake(s) lake center 

65 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Lake bed flat center 

Land area center 

Land Grant civil center 

Landfall slope center 

Landing locale center 

Landing Field airport center 

Landing Strip airport center 

Landslide slope center 

Lands lip slope center 

Langue cape center 

Langue isthmus center 

Lateral canal center 

Lateral stream mouth yes 

Lava lava center 

Lava Cone lava center 

Lava Delta lava center 

Lava Field lava center 

Lava Flow lava center 

Lava Pit crater center 

Lava Plain lava center 

Lava Plateau lava center 

Lava Tongue lava center 

Lava Tube lava . center 

Lea plain center 

Leach Hole cave center 

Lead channel center 

Lead ridge center 

Ledge summit top 

Ledge (land) bench center 

Ledge (water) bar center 

Ledge island center 

Leg canal center 

Leg bay center 

Leg gut center 

Lenticular summit top 

Levee levee center 

Level flat center 

Lick area center 

Lick stream mouth yes 

Lighthouse locale center 

Littoral beach center 

Llano area center 

Locale (little or no locale center 

population) 

Locality locale center 

Loch lake center 

Loch lake center 

66 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guid.e-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Lochan lake center 

Locks dam center 

Logan swamp center 

Loma summit top 

Loma summit top 

Longshore Bar bar center 

Longs tone pillar top 

Lookoff locale center 

Lookout locale center 

Lookout summit top 

Loop bend center 

Loop Lake lake center 

Lough lake center 

Lowland flat center 

Lowmoor swamp center 

Lua crater center 

Lump summit top 

Lump bar center 

Lump island center 

Lunatt bar center 

Maar crater center 

Mal Bay lake center 

Malaspina glacier center 

Malpais area center 

Mamelon summit top 

Mangrove swamp center 

Mar sea center 

Marais lake center 

Marais stream mouth yes 

Marais swamp center 

Marche area center 

Mare lake center 

Mare cage swamp center 

Mare man swamp center 

Marina locale center 

Marine Corps Air Station military center 

Marine Corps Base military center 

Marker park center 

Market locale center 

Marsh stream mouth yes 

Marsh swamp center 

Mash swamp center 

Mass summit top 

Massif range center 

Matterhorn summit top 

Mauna summit top 

Mead flat center 

67 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Meadow flat center 

Meadow stream mouth yes 

Meander bend center 

Meander Core bend center 

Me andre bend center 

Medano summit top 

Meetinghouse church center 

Memorial Garden cemetery center 

Mendip summit top 

Mer sea center 

Mesa summit top 

Meseta summit top 

Mesita summit top 

Midway channel center 

Military Reservation military center 

Mill locale center 

Millpond reservoir dam 

Millrace stream mouth yes 

Millstream stream mouth yes 

Milltown locale center 

Mine mine center 

Mineral Pile mine center 

Mire swamp center 

Mish swamp center 

Missile Base military center 

Missile Range military center 

Mission church center 

Mitre summit top 

Mofette valley mouth yes 

Motu island center 

Mole dam center 

Monadnock summit top 

Monastery church center 

Monolith pillar top 

Mont summit top 

Montagne summit top 

Montanas * range center 

Monte summit top 

Monticle crater center 

Monticule crater center 

Monument island center 

Monument pillar top 

Monument park center 

Moor flat center 

Mor flat center 

Moraine (area) summit top 

Moraine (linear) ridge center 

68 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guidle-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Morais swamp center 

Morass swamp center 

Moremma swamp center 

Mome swamp center 

Morriner ridge center 

Mosque church center 

Motion area center 

Mott woods center 

Mott summit top 

Motte cliff top 

Motte summit top 

Mouillage harbor center 

Mouillere * lake center 

Mouillere * swamp center 

Moulin glacier center 

Mound summit top 

Mount summit top 

Mountain summit top 

Mountain Chain range center 

Mountain Group range center 

Mountain Range range center 

Mountain System range center 

Mountains range center 

Mountainside cliff center 

Mouth channel center 

Mouth area center 

Mud Cone summit top 

Mud Flat flat center 

Mud Pot spring center 

Mudbank bar center 

Mudflow slope center 

Mull cape center 

Municipality civil center 

Municipio* civil center 

Muraille cliff center 

Museum building center 

Muskeg swamp center 

Nap flat center 

Narrow gap center 

Narrows gap center 

Narrows gut center 

Narrows ridge center 

Narrows channel center 

Narrows valley mouth yes 

Natatorium locale center 

National Forest forest center 

National Grasslands forest center 

69 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

FEATURE PRIME 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT 

National Historical Landmark park center 

National Monument park center 

National Park (administrative) park center 

National Seashore park center 

National Wilderness Area park center 

National Wildlife Area park center 

Natural Bridge arch center 

Naval Air Station military center 

Naval Base military center 

Naval Shipyard military center 

Naze cliff center 

Neck cape center 

Neck valley mouth 

Needle pillar top 

Ness cape center 

Neve* glacier center 

Nez cape center 

Nez summit top 

Niche cave center 

Nip cave center 

Nipple(s) summit top 

Nob summit top 

Nobble summit top 

Nook summit top 

Nook bay center 

Nose cliff center 

Nose summit top 

Notch gap center 

Notch channel center 

Novitiate church center 

Nub island center 

Nubble summit top 

Nubble island center 

Nuddicks range center 

Nullah valley mouth 

Nunatak summit top 

Nursery locale center 

Oasis spring center 

Obelisk tower center 

Observatory building center 

Ocean sea center 

Oceano* sea center 

Offset ridge center 

Offshore Bar bar center 

on Pumping station oilfield center 

Oilfield oilfield center 

OUwell well center 

70 

SOURCE 

POINT 

REQ 

yes 

yes 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Ojito spring center 

Ojo spring center 

Open flat center 

Open Bay bay center 

Opening channel center 

Orchard locale center 

Ordinary locale center 

Ordnance Laboratory military center 

Ordnance Plant military center 

Os ridge center 

Osar ridge center 

Outcrop summit top 

Outlet channel center 

Outlet stream mouth yes 

Outwash plain center 

Oven cave center 

Overfall rapids center 

Overhang cliff center 

Overlook locale center 

Overpass bridge center 

Oxbow bend center 

Oxbow lake center 

Padou gut center 

Pagoda church center 

Pahas summit top 

Pain de sucre summit top 

Pali cliff center 

Palisades cliff center 

Pampas plain center 

Pan flat center 

Panplain plain center 

Paps range center 

Paramilla range center 

Paramo area center 

Parish civil center 

Park (administrative) park center 

Park (natural) flat center 

Pasaje channel center 

Pass gap center 

Pass channel center 

Pass stream mouth yes 

Passage (navigation) channel center 

Passage (portage) locale center 

Passe gap center 

Passe channel center 

Pasture flat center 

Patch bar center 

71 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Path trail center 

Paw summit top 

Peak summit top 

Pediment slope center 

Pen locale center 

Pena * pillar top 

Penasco* pillar top 

Peneplain plain center 

Peninsula cape center 

Peninsule cape center 

Penitentiary building center 

Pepino summit top 

Pic summit top 

Picacho summit top 

Picnic Area locale center 

Pi co summit top 

Piedmont range center 

Piemont range center 

Pier locale center 

Pikes summit top 

Pile summit top 

Pillar pillar top 

Pinacle pillar top 

Pinacle summit top 

Pinchgut bay center 

Pingo summit top 

Pinnacle pillar top 

Pinnacles island center 

Pit basin center 

Pit mine center 

Pitch rapids center 

Pitch slope center 

Piton summit top 

Pits flat center 

Place locale center 

Placer area center 

Plage beach center 

Plain plain center 

Plaine plain center 

Plains plain center 

Plantation civil center 

Plantation ppl center 

Plantation locale center 

Plat plain center 

Plateau plain center 

Platform bench center 

Platform oilfield center 

72 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature GuiclLe-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Playa area center 

Playa beach center 

Plaza (cultural) locale center 

Plaza (physical) area center 

Plug isthmus center 

Pocket basin center 

Pocket swamp center 

Pocosin swamp center 

Pohaku pillar center 

Point summit top 

Point ridge center 

Point (peninsula) cape center 

Point (promontory) cliff center 

Pointe cape center 

Pointers range center 

Pointu summit top 

Pol island center 

Polder flat center 

Polje basin center 

Pollack bar center 

Po)ye basin center 

Pond (man-made) reservoir dam 

Pond (natural) lake center 

Ponor basin center 

Pool (man-made) reservoir dam 

Pool (natural) lake center 

Port harbor center 

Port ppl center 

Port locale center 

Port of Entry locale center 

Portage locale center 

Portal gap center 

Portal mine center 

Portal tunnel center 

Porte gap center 

Pot basin center 

Pothole basin center 

Potrero flat center 

Poulier bar center 

Pouroff arroyo mouth yes 

Power Plant building center 

Pozo reservoir dam 

PPL (populated place) ppl center 

Prairie area center 

Pre flat center 

Precinct civil center 

Precipice cliff center 

73 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Presquile cape center 

Priory church center 

Prison building center 

Projection cliff center 

Promontoire cliff center 

Promontoire summit top 

Promontory cliff center 

Prong stream mouth yes 

Puddle lake center 

Puddle stream mouth yes 

Puerta gap center 

Puertecito gap center 

Puerto gap center 

Puerto (land) gap center 

Puerto (water) harbor center 

Puffing Hole cave center 

Pughole lake center 

Pulpit summit top 

Pumping Station building center 

Punch Bowl basin center 

Punta cape center 

Punta summit top 

Pup valley mouth yes 

Pup stream mouth yes 

Puragatory cave center 

Puu summit top 

Pyramids summit top 

Quagmire swamp center 

Quaking Bay swamp center 

Quarry mine center 

Quarry basin center 

Quartermaster Depot military center 

Quarters valley mouth yes 

Quay locale center 

Quebrada valley mouth yes 

Queue bay center 

Race rapids center 

Race area center 

Race stream mouth yes 

Racetrack park center 

Rade harbor center 

Railroad Siding locale center 

Railroad Station building center 

Railroad Stop locale center 

Rainpool lake center 

Ramble valley mouth yes 

Ramparts cliff center 

74 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mar1lc missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Ranch locale center 

Ranch slope center 

Rancho civil center 

Rang range center 

Range channel center 

Range range center 

Ranger Station locale center 

Rapide rapids center 

Rapids rapids center 

Rattle rapids center 

Ravin valley mouth yes 

Ravine valley mouth yes 

Razorback ridge center 

Reach channel center 

Reach area center 

Recif bar center 

Reef ridge center 

Reef bar center 

Reentrant bend center 

Refuge park center 

Reg plain center 

Relex cliff center 

Remnant summit top 

Remous rapids center 

Resaca lake center 

Resaca stream mouth yes 

Research Station locale center 

Reservacion Militar * military center 

Reserve park center 

Reserve forest center 

Reserve reserve center 

Reserve Training Center military center 

Reservoir reservoir dam 

Resort ppl center 

Rest Area locale center 

Retention Basin reservoir dam 

Re.treat harbor center 

Retreat locale center 

Revetment levee center 

Ria bay center 

Rib bar center 

Ridge ridge center 

Ridge island center 

Riffle rapids center 

Rift channel center 

Rift valley mouth yes 

Rig oilfield center 

75 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Rigolet channel center 

Rill stream mouth yes 

Rim cape center 

Rim cliff center 

Rimrock cliff center 

Rincon cape center 

Rincon valley mouth yes 

Rio stream mouth yes 

Rip area center 

Ripple rapids center 

Rips rapids center 

Rise slope center 

Rito stream mouth yes 

Rivage beach center 

Rive beach center 

River stream mouth yes 

River Basin basin center 

River Bed channel center 

River Bottom bend center 

River Valley valley mouth yes 

Riveret stream mouth · yes 

Riviere stream mouth yes 

Riviere* stream mouth yes 

Rivulet stream mouth yes 

Roads bay center ·~ 

Roadstead harbor center ,v 

Roc a bar center 

Roche island center 

Roche Moutonnee summit top ., r 

Rocher pillar top 

Rocher island center 

Rock bar center 

Rock island center 

Rock (massive) summit top 

Rock (singular) pillar top 

Rock Slide slope center 

Rock Tower pillar center 

Rockfall slope center 

Rocks cliff center 

Rodeo Grounds locale center 

Rognon summit top 

Rookery island center 

Room area center 

Roost island center 

Roost summit top 

Rough ridge center 

Roundhouse locale center 

76 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Gui.de-continued 

(* indicates diacritical marllc missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Round top summit top 

Route locale center 

Rub slope center 

Ruins locale center 

Ruisseau stream mouth yes 

Ruisselet stream mouth yes 

Run flat center 

Run stream mouth yes 

Runaround stream mouth yes 

Runnel stream mouth yes 

Runoff stream mouth yes 

Runround stream mouth yes 

Saddle gap center 

Saddle back ridge center 

Sag gap center 

Sag valley mouth yes 

Sagpond lake center 

Salient ridge center 

Salina flat center 

Salt Bottom flat center 

Salt Flat flat center 

Salt Lick flat center 

Salt Marsh flat center 

Salt Prairie flat center 

Saltpan flat center 

Sal tum flat center 

Sanctuary park center 

Sand beach center 

Sand Drift summit top 

Sand Dune summit top 

Sand Flat flat center 

Sand Hills summit top 

Sandbank bar center 

Sandbar bar center 

Sandia summit top 

Sandkey island center 

Sands bar center 

Sand wash arroyo mouth yes 

Sault rapids center 

Sa vane plain center 

Sa vane swamp center 

Savanna plain center 

Savannah swamp center 

Sawback range center 

Saw grass swamp center 

Scabland area center 

Scabrock area center 

77 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* intUcates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Scar cliff center 

Scarp cliff center 

Scaur cliff center 

Schloss summit top 

School school center 

School District civil center 

Scrape area center 

Scree slope center 

Scrub woods center 

Scrubland area center 

Sea swamp center 

Sea (continental) sea center 

Sea (inland) lake center 

Sea Arch arch center 

Sea Cave cave center 

Sea MOW1t pillar top 

Sea Stack summit top 

Sea Wall levee center 

Seaboard beach center 

Seacoast beach center 

Seashore beach center 

Seaside beach center 

Seat summit top 

Sedge island center 

Sedge swamp center 

Seep spring center 

Seep stream mouth yes 

Serrate summit top 

Settlement ppl center 

Sewer stream mouth yes 

Shaft mine center 

Shake isthmus center 

Shake cave center 

Shaw woods center 

Sheep Camp locale center 

Sheepback summit top 

Shelf bar center 

Shelter locale center 

Shingle beach center 

Shire civil center 

Shoal bar center 

Shoals stream mouth yes 

Shop locale center 

Shore beach center 

Shoreline beach center 

Shoulder ridge center 

Shoulder slope center 

78 
APPENDIX G.-Map Fe&Wre ·Guic!e-continuecl 

(* indicates dia-critical ftiar•~ missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Shrine church center 

Shutup valley mouth yes 

Siding locale center 

Sierra range center 

SUo ppl center 

SUva woods center ·~ 

Sink basin center 

Sinker island center 

Sinkhole basin center 

Site locale center 

Skerries island center 

Skerry island center 

Ski Area locale center 

Ski Trail trail center 

Slag Heap mine center 

Slang area center 

Slash swamp center 

Slash stream mouth yes 

Slide slope center 

Slide valley mouth yes 

Slip locale center 

Slofe stream mouth yes 

Slope slope center 

Slough lake center 

Slough (flowing) stream mouth yes 

Slough (stagnant) gut center 

Slue stream mouth yes 

Slue (not open channel) y swamp center 

Slue (open channel) gut center 

Sluice canal center 

Sluice Gate dam center 

Snout summit top 

Snow Patch glacier center 

Snowfield glacier center 

Snye stream mouth yes 

Sog swamp center 

Soi basin center 

Solfatara summit top 

Sommet summit top 

Sonda bay center 

Sound bay center 

Sowback ridge center 

Spa locale center 

Space Flight Center military center 

Speedway locale center 

Spillway canal center 

Spindle bar center 

79 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Spire pillar top 

Spit bar center 

Spoil Bank bar center 

Sports Arena locale center 

Spot bar center 

Spring spring center 

Springs spring center 

Springs stream mouth yes 

Spung stream mouth yes 

Spur ridge center 

Spur trail center 

Square park center 

Stack pillar top 

Stadium park center 

State Forest forest center 

State Historic Site park center 

State Park park center 

State Preserve park center 

Station (no population) locale center 

Station (populated) ppl center 

Statue park center 

Stead ppl center 

Steady lake center 

Sted ppl center 

Steephead cliff center 

Steeple summit top 

Steppe plain center 

Steps bench center 

Steptoe lava center 

Still lake center 

Stillwater area center 

Stillwater area center 

Stock Trail trail center 

Stone island center 

Stone cliff top 

Store locale center 

Strait channel center 

Strand beach center 

Strand swamp center 

Strath flat center 

Stream stream mouth yes 

Stretch area center 

Stretch channel center 

Stringer stream mouth yes 

Subsidence basin center 

Suburb ppl center 

Suck swamp center 

80 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical ~ark m~ssing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Sugar Loaf summit top 

Sugarloaf summit top 

Summit (cultural) locale center 

Summit (physical) summit top 

Sump bar center 

Sunker island center 

Supply Center military center 

Supply Depot military center 

Swag gap center 

Swale stream mouth yes 

Swale valley mouth yes 

Swallow basin center 

Swallow Hole cave center 

Swamp swamp center 

Swamp stream mouth yes 

Swash bar center 

Synagogue church center 

Tabernacle church center 

Table summit top 

Table Mountain summit top 

Tableland(+ 3 mi. across) area center 

Tableland(- 3 mi. across) summit top 

Taiga woods center 

Tail cape center 

Talus slope center 

Tank reservoir dam 

Tanque reservoir dam 

Tarai swamp center 

Tarn lake center 

Tavern locale center 

Teat summit I top 

Teeth bar ·I·' center 

Temple church center 

Ten ppl I center 

Tepee pillar top 

Terminals locale center 

Terrace bench center 

Terrain plain center 

Terrane plain center 

Terrasse levee center 

Terrene plain center 

Test Center military center 

Test Range military center 

Tete cliff center 

Tete cape center 

Teton summit top 

Thalweg valley mouth yes 

81 

I I 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indj.cat~s cUacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

F,EATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Thicket woods center 

Thorofare channel center 

Thorofare gut center 

Thoroughfare channel center 

Thoroughfare gap center 

Thorpe ppl center 

1broat stream mouth yes 

1broughlet channel center 

Thrum island center 

Thrum cap island center 

Thumb pillar top 

Thurm cliff center 

Thwaite flat center 

Tickle gut center 

Tidal Creek gut ' center 

Tidal Flat flat center 

Tidal Inlet gut center 

Tidal Marsh swamp center 

Tideland flat center 

Tiderace stream mouth yes 

Tie bar center 

Tilt summit top 

Timber park center 

Tin ppl center 

Tinaja spring center 

Tipple locale center 

Tit(s) summit top 

Toe cape center 

Toe summit top 

Toll House locale center 

Toll Plaza locale center 

Tollgate locale center 

Tolt summit top 

Tomb cemetery center 

Tom bolo isthmus center 

Ton ppl center 

Tongue bar center 

Tongue cape center 

Tooth pillar top 

Top summit top 

Top cape center 

Topsail summit top 

Tor summit top 

Torbiere summit top 

Torrent rapids center 

Tourelle summit top 

Tournant summit top 

82 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature -Guide-cootinned 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Tower tower center 

Tower (+ 500 ft. across) summit top 

Tower(- 500ft. across) pillar top 

Towers range top 

Towhead island center 

Town civU center 

Town (populated place) ppl center 

Township civU center 

Trace trail center 

Trace stream mouth yes 

Track trail center 

Trail trail center 

Tramway trail center 

Transverse valley mouth yes 

Trap lake center 

Trench valley mouth yes 

Trestle bridge center 

Tributary stream mouth yes 

Trou gap center 

Trou cave center 

Trough valley mouth yes 

Tub basin center 

Tuck woods center 

Tule swamp center 

Tulelands swamp center 

Tump island center 

Tun ppl center 

Tundra plain center 

Tunnel tunnel center 

Turn bend center 

Tusk pillar top 

Tying bar center 

University school center 

Upbac slope center 

Upland plain center 

USS (permanently moored) park center 

Uvala basin center 

Vale valley Mouth yes 

Valle valley mouth yes 

Vallee valley mouth yes 

Valley valley mouth yes 

Vault valley mouth yes 

Veldt plain center 

Vereda trail center 

Versant slope center 

Viaduct bridge center 

Village ppl center 

83 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-contim•ed 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Vlei valley mouth yes 

Vley valley mouth yes 

Vloer flat center 

V1y lake center 

V1y valley mouth yes 

Vly swamp center 

V1y stream mouth yes 

Voe bay center 

Volcano summit top 

Wadi arroyo mouth yes . 

Walk stream mouth yes 

Wall cliff center 

Wallow basin center 

Wallow valley mouth yes 

Wash arroyo mouth yes 

Wash stream mouth yes 

Wash valley mouth yes 

Washover flat center 

Waste Bank bar center 

Wasteland area center 

Wasteway canal center 

Water bay center 

Water basin center 

Water stream mouth yes 

Water Gap gap center 

Water Passage gut center 

Water Pocket lake center 

Water Sink basin center 

Water(s) lake center 

Water(s) lake center 

Watercourse (dr,y) arroyo mouth yes 

Watercourse (flowing) stream mouth yes 

Waterfall falls center 

Waterfront harbor center 

Waterhole (area) lake center 

Waterhole (point) spring center 

Watermill locale center 

Waterpan lake center 

Watershed ridge center 

Watertank reservoir dam 

Waterway gut center 

Waterway channel center 

Way channel center 

Wayside locale center 

Weapons Range military center 

Wedge cape center 

Weir dam dam 

84 
APPENDIX -G.-Map Feature Guicle-·contiaued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

GENERIC/WORD CLASS POINT REQ 

Well well center 

Wetland flat center 

Whale back summit top 

Wharf locale center 

Whirlpool rapids center 

Wich ppl center 

Wick ppl center 

Widger valley mouth yes 

Wildlife Management Area park center 

Wildlife Refuge park center 

Wind Gap gap center 

Windmill locale center 

Winged Headland cliff center 

Woodland woods center 

Woods woods center 

Worth ppl center 

y locale center 

Yacht Club locale center 

Yard locale center 

Yardang ridge center 

Zanja stream mouth yes 

Zoo park center 

85 
FEATURE 

CLASS 

airport 

airport 

airport 

airport 

airport 

arch 

arch 

arch 

arch 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

area 

APPENDIX G.-MaP, Fe•ture Guide cont,bJ•ed 

(* indicates di&critical mark missins) · . 

PRIME 

GENERIC/WORD POINT 

Airfield c~ter 

Airport . center 

Airstrip ce,nter 

Landing Field ~ center 

Landing Strip center 

Arch ceqter 

Eye c~nter 

Natural Bridge center 

Sea Arch cepter 

Alluvial Fan center 

Alluvium center 

Area center 

Badlands e~nter 

Bahada cenwr 

Barrens center 

Boca ceqter 

Bracket cen~er 

Breakers ceoter 

Breaks ceq~er 

Broad c~~et 

Burn center 

Callow center 

Confluent center 

Cote* center 

Coteau center 

Country c~ter 

Deadwater center 

Debouchure center 

Deep cent~r 

Delta centc;r 

Embouchure center 

Fan center 

Fells center 

Fishing Ground center 

Folly center 

Foot center 

Forest (natural) center 

Garden center 

Goldfield center 

Gravel Fan center . . ~· 

Group , ce~er 

Hat center 

Highland center :'.-0:-

Jardins center 

Karst center 

Land center 

Lick center 

86 

SOURCE 

POINT 

REQ 

-~ 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

area Llano center 

area Malpais center 

area Marche center 

area Motion center 

area Mouth center 

area Paramo center 

area Placer center 

area Playa center 

area Plaza (physical) center 

area Prairie center 

area Race center 

area Reach center 

area Rip center 

area Room center 

area Scabland center 

area Scabrock center 

area Scrape center 

area Scrubland center 

area Slang center 

area Stillwater center 

area Stretch center 

area Tableland(+ 3 mi. across) center 

area Wasteland center 

arroyo Arroyo mouth yes 

arroyo Coulee mouth yes 

arroyo Draw (shallow) mouth yes 

arroyo Drywash mouth yes 

arroyo Gulley mouth yes 

arroyo Pouroff mouth yes 

arroyo Sand wash mouth · yes 

arroyo Wadi mouth yes 

arroyo Wash mouth yes 

arroyo Watercourse (dry) mouth yes 

bar Anchor center 

bar Arrecife center 

bar Bane center 

bar Bank center 

bar Bantam center 

bar Bar center 

bar Barre center 

bar Bell center 

bar Brandies center 

bar Brisants center 

bar Chuckle center 

bar Danger center 

bar Echouerie center 

bar Elbow center 

87 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide--cootiDned 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

bar Flats (inundated) center 

· bar Foulground center 

bar Girdle center 

bar Haut-fond center 

bar Hook center 

bar Ledge (water) center 

bar Longshore Bar center 

bar Lump center 

bar Lunatt center 

bar Mudbank center 

bar Offshore Bar center 

bar Patch center 

bar Pollack center 

bar Poulier center 

bar Recif center 

bar Reef center 

bar Rib center 

bar Roc a center 

bar Rock center 

bar Sandbank center 

bar Sandbar center 

bar Sands center 

bar Shelf center 

bar Shoal center 

bar Spindle center ..: 

bar Spit center 

bar Spoil Bank center 

bar Spot center 

bar Sump center 

bar Swash center 

bar Teeth center 

bar Tie center 

bar Tongue' center 

bar Tying center 

bar Waste Bank center 

basin Amphitheater center 

basin Basin center 

basin Bassin center 

basin Blowout center 

basin Bolson center 

basin Bowl center 

basin Caldron center 

basin Catchment center 

basin Cave center 

basin Cirque center 

basin Corrie center 

basin Depression center 

88 
APPENDIX

·G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

.SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

basin Dolina center 

basin Do line center 

basin Dustwell center 

basin Fulje center 

basin Graike center 

basin Hole center 

basin Intervale center 

basin Kar center 

basin Kettle center 

basin Kettlehole center 

basin Pit center 

basin Pocket' center 

basin Polje center 

basin Po lye center 

basin Ponor center 

basin Pot center 

basin Pothole center 

basin Punch Bowl center 

basin Quarry center 

basin River Basin center 

basin Sink center 

basin Sinkhole center 

basin Soi center 

basin Subsidence center 

basin Swallow center 

basin Tub center 

basin Uvala center 

basin Wallow center 

basin Water center 

basin Water Sink center 

bay Anse center 

bay Arm center 

bay Bag center 

bay Bahia center 

bay Baie center 

bay Basin center 

bay Bay center 

bay Bight center 

bay Bite center 

bay Bottleneck center 

bay Caleta center 

bay Cayo center 

bay Chuck center 

bay Cove (water) center 

bay Creek center 

bay Crique center 

bay Eddy center 

89 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

bay Embayment center 

bay Ensenada center 

bay Estero center 

bay Estuary center 

bay Firth center 

bay Flow center 

bay Golfe center 

bay Gulf (water) center 

bay Gut center 

bay Harbor (natural) center 

bay Hole (water) center 

bay Inlet (water body) center 

bay Leg center 

bay Nook center 

bay Open Bay center 

bay Pinchgut center 

bay Queue center 

bay Ria center 

bay Roads center 

bay Sonda center 

bay Sound center 

bay Voe center 

bay Water center 

beach Balneario center 

beach Beach (unpopulated) center 

beach Coast center 

beach Coastline center 

beach Cote center 

beach Coulter center 

beach Cusp center 

beach Foreside center 

beach Greve center 

beach Littoral center 

beach Plage center 

beach Playa center 

beach Rivage center 

beach Rive center 

beach Sand center 

beach Seaboard center 

beach Seacoast center 

beach Seashore center 

beach Seaside center 

beach Shingle center 

beach Shore center 

beach Shoreline center 

beach Strand center 

bench Bench center 

90 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

bench Ledge (land) center 

bench Platform center 

bench Steps center 

bench Terrace center 

bend Bend center 

bend Bot center 

bend Bottom center 

bend Carse center 

bend Confluence center 

bend Coude center 

bend Courbe center 

bend Crook center 

bend Curve center 

bend Cutoff center 

bend Elbow center 

bend Fond center 

bend Hole (land) center 

bend Hook center 

bend Horseshoe center 

bend Kink center 

bend Loop center 

bend Meander center 

bend Meander Core center 

bend Me andre center 

bend Oxbow center 

bend Reentrant center 

bend River Bottom center 

bend Turn center 

bridge Bridge center 

bridge Causeway center 

bridge Foot Bridge center 

bridge Overpass center 

bridge Trestle center 

bridge Viaduct center 

building Building center 

building Cas a center 

building Community Center center 

building Correctional Center center 

building Court House center 

building Filter Plant center 

building Fire House center 

building Museum center 

building Observatory center 

building Penitentiary center 

building Power Plant center 

building Prison center 

building Pumping Station center 

91 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

building Railroad Station center 

canal . Acequia center 

canal Aqueduct center 

canal Canal center 

canal Channel (man-made) center 

canal Creek center 

canal Ditch center 

canal Drain (man-made) center 

canal Flume (man-made) center 

canal Fosse center 

canal Lateral center 

canal Leg center 

canal Sluice center 

canal Spillway center 

canal Wasteway center 

cape Bill center 

cape Cabeza center 

cape Cabo center 

cape Cap center 

cape Cape center 

cape Chops center 

cape Doab center 

cape End center 

cape Hook center 

cape Kwun center 

cape Lae center 

cape Langue center 

cape Mull center 

cape Neck center 

cape Ness center 

cape Nez center 

cape Peninsula center 

cape Peninsule center 

cape Point (peninsula) center 

cape Pointe center 

cape Presquile center 

cape Punta center 

cape Rim center 

cape Rincon center 

cape TaU center 

cape Tete center 

cape Toe center 

cape Tongue center 

cape Top center 

cape Wedge center 

cape Wedge center 

cave Alcove center 

92 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

cave Balm center 

cave Blowhole center 

cave Cave center 

cave Cavern center 

cave Caveme center 

cave Caverns center 

cave Cellar center 

cave Goe center 

cave Grotte center 

cave Grotto center 

cave Hole center 

cave Keana center 

cave Leach Hole center 

cave Niche center 

cave Nip center 

cave Oven center 

cave Puffing Hole center 

cave Puragatory center 

cave Sea Cave center 

cave Shake center 

cave Swallow Hole center 

cave Trou center 

cemetery Burial center 

cemetery Burying Ground center 

cemetery Cemetery center 

cemetery Fosse center 

cemetery Grave center 

cemetery Memorial Garden center 

cemetery Tomb center 

channel Canal* center 

channel Channel (natural) center 

channel Chenal center 

channel Chokey center 

channel Chute center 

channel Cul-de-sac center 

channel Cut center 

channel Cutoff center 

channel Detroit center 

channel Dugout center 

channel Fairway center 

channel Faux chenal center 

channel Flood way center 

channel Gate center ~~ 

channel Gateway center 

channel Gully center 

channel Gumet center 

channel Gutter center 

93 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

channel Hole center 

channel Inlet center 

channel Lead center 

channel Midway center 

channel Mouth center 

channel Narrows center 

channel Notch center 

channel Opening center 

channel Outlet center 

channel Pasaje center 

channel Pass center 

channel Passage (navigation) center 

channel Passe center 

channel Range center 

channel Reach center 

channel Rift center 

channel Rigolet center 

channel River Bed center 

channel Strait center 

channel Stretch center 

channel Thorofare center 

channel Thoroughfare center 

channel Throughlet center 

channel Waterway center 

channel Way center 

church Capilla center 

church · Chapel center 

church Church center 

church Iglesia center 

church Kirk center 

church Meetinghouse center 

church Mission center 

church Monastery center 

church Mosque center 

church Novitiate center 

church Pagoda center 

church Priory center 

church Shrine center 

church Synagogue center 

church Tabernacle center 

church Temple center 

civil Barrio center 

civil Borough center 

civil City (administrative) center 

civil Civil Division center 

civil Claim center 

civil County center 

94 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

civil District center 

civil Division center 

civil Grant center 

civil Land Grant center 

civil Municipality center 

civil Municipio* center 

civil Parish center 

civil Plantation center 

civil Precinct center 

civil Rancho center 

civil School District center 

civil Shire center 

civil Town center 

civil Township center 

cliff Blow-Me-Down center 

cliff Bluff center 

cliff Breaks center 

cliff Brow center 

cliff Buffalo Jump center 

cliff Buttress center 

cliff Ceja center 

cliff Cliff center 

cliff Corniche center 

cliff Crag center ··~ 

cliff Craigs center 

cliff Dalles center 

cliff Escarpment center 

cliff Face center 

cliff Falaises center 

cliff Flake center 

cliff Foreland center 

cliff Head (steep face) center 

cliff Headland center 

cliff Headwall center 

cliff Jumpoff top 

cliff Kap center 

cliff Motte top 

cliff Mountainside center 

cliff Muraille center 

cliff Naze center 

cliff Nose center 

cliff Overhang center 

cliff Pall center 

cliff Palisades center 

cliff Point (promontory) center 

cliff Precipice center 

cliff Projection center 

95 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

cliff Promontoire center 

cliff Promontory center 

cliff Ramparts center 

cliff Relex center 

cliff Rim center 

cliff Rimrock center 

cliff Rocks center 

cliff Scar center 

cliff Scarp center 

cliff Scaur center 

cliff Steephead center 

cliff Stone top 

cliff Tete center 

cliff Thurm center 

cliff Wall center 

cliff Winged Headland center 

crater Bocca center 

crater Caldera center 

crater Crater center 

crater Cratere center 

crater Lava Pit center 

crater Lua center 

crater Maar center 

crater Monticle center 

crater Monticule .· center 

crossing Crossing center 

dam Breakwater center 

dam Dam center 

dam Gate center 

dam Jetty center 

dam Locks center 

dam Mole center 

dam Sluice Gate center 

dam Weir dam 

falls Bridal Veil center 

falls Cascade center 

falls Cataract center 

falls Drop center 

falls Dump center 

falls Fall center 

falls Falls center 

falls Waterfall center 

flat Bed center 

flat Bottoms center 

flat Camas center 

flat Camass center 

flat Clearing center 

96 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT RBQ 

flat Clint center 

flat Down center 

flat Fields center 

flat Flat center 

flat Floor center 

flat Glade center 

flat Hat center 

flat Hay center 

flat Heath center 

flat Lake center 

flat Lake bed center 

flat Level center 

flat Lowland center 

flat Mead center 

flat Meadow center 

flat Moor center 

flat Mor center 

flat Mud Flat center 

flat Nap center 

flat Open center 

flat Pan center 

flat Park (natural) center 

flat Pasture center 

flat Pits center 

flat Polder center 

flat Potrero center 

flat Pre center 

flat Run center 

flat Salina center 

flat Salt Bottom center 

flat Salt Flat center 

flat Salt Lick center 

flat Salt Marsh center 

flat Salt Prairie center 

flat Saltpan center 

flat Sal tum center 

flat Sand Flat center 

flat Strath center 

flat Thwaite center 

flat Tidal Flat center 

flat Tideland center 

flat Vloer center 

flat Washover center 

flat Wetland center 

forest Forest (administrative) center 

forest National Forest center 

forest National Grasslands center 

97 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

forest Reserve center 

forest State Forest center 

gap Aisle center 

gap Col center 

gap Colombier center 

gap Constriction center 

gap Corrider center 

gap Cran center 

gap Cut center 

gap Defile center 

gap Funnel center 

gap Gallery center 

gap Gap center 

gap Gate center 

gap Intercolline center 

gap Narrow center 

gap Narrows center 

gap Notch center 

gap Pass center 

gap Passe center 

gap Portal center 

gap Porte center 

gap Puerta center 

gap Puertecito center 

gap Puerto center 

gap Puerto (land) center 

gap Saddle center 

gap Sag center 

gap Swag center 

gap Thoroughfare center 

gap Trou center 

gap Water Gap center 

gap Wind Gap center 

geyser Fountain center 

geyser Fumaroles center 

geyser Geyser center 

glacier Crevasse (ice) center 

glacier Fim center 

glacier Glacier center 

glacier Ice Patch center 

glacier Ice Shelf center 

glacier Icecap center 

glacier Icefall center 

glacier Icefield center 

glacier Icesheet center 

glacier Malaspina center 

glacier Moulin center 

98 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

glacier Neve* center 

glacier Snow Patch center 

glacier Snowfield center 

gut Baie center 

gut Bayou (stagnant) center 

gut Breachway center 

gut Broad center 

gut Chute center 

gut Creek center 

gut Debouche center 

gut Decharge center 

gut Entrance center 

gut Entree center 

gut Gallery center 

gut Goulet center 

gut Gut center 

gut Inlet (channel) center 

gut Leg center 

gut Narrows center 

gut Padou center 

gut Slough (stagnant) center 

gut Slue (open channel) center 

gut Thorofare center 

gut Tickle center 

gut Tidal Creek center 

gut Tidal Inlet center 

gut Water Passage center 

gut Waterway center 

harbor Anchorage center 

harbor Basin center 

harbor Berth center 

harbor Harbor (man-made) center 

harbor Haven center 

harbor Havre center 

harbor Hono center 

harbor Kills center 

harbor Mouillage center 

harbor Port center 

harbor Puerto (water) center 

harbor Rade center 

harbor Retreat center 

harbor Roadstead center 

harbor Waterfront center 

hospital Hospital center 

hospital Infirmary center 

island Archipel center 

island Archipelago center 

99 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

island Atoll center 

island Barrier Beach center 

island Barrier Island center 

island Bell center 

island Cay center 

island Caye center 

island Cayo center 

island Cey center 

island Eye center 

island Eyot center 

island Faro center 

island Hammock center 

island Hassock center 

island Haystack center 

island Head center 

island Hummock center 

island Ile center 

island Ilet center 

island Ilette center 

island Ilot center 

island Isla center 

island Island(s) center 

island Isle center 

island Islet center 

island Islote center 

island Key center 

island Kipuka center 

island Labyrinth center 

island Ledge center 

island Lump center 

island Moku center 

island Monument center 

island Nub center 

island Nubble center 

island Pinnacles top 

island Pol center 

island Ridge center 

island Roche center 

island Rocher center 

island Rock center 

island Rookery center 

island Roost center 

island Sandkey center 

island Sedge center 

island Sinker center 

island Skerrles center 

island Skerry center 

100 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

island Stone center 

island Sunker center 

island Thrum center 

island Thrum cap center 

island Towhead center 

island Tump center 

isthmus Isthmus center 

isthmus Langue center 

isthmus Plug center 

isthmus Shake center 

isthmus Tom bolo center 

lake Backwater center 

lake Baie center 

lake Baissiere center 

lake Banco center 

lake Barachois center 

lake Barasway center 

lake Bay center 

lake Bogue (still) center 

lake Charco center 

lake Chuck center 

lake Coulee center 

lake Eau center 

lake Finger center 

lake Fount center 

lake Gully center 

lake Hole center 

lake Horseshoe center 

lake Lac center 

lake La go center 

lake Lagoon (open water) center 

lake Laguna center 

lake Lagune center 

lake Lake(s) center 

lake Loch center 

lake Lochan center 

lake Loop Lake center 

lake Lough center 

lake Mal Bay center 

lake Marais center 

lake Mare center 

lake Mouillere * center 

lake Oxbow center 

lake Pond (natural) center 

lake Pool (natural) center 

lake Puddle center 

lake Pughole center 

101 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature ·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

lake Rainpool center 

lake Resaca center 

lake Sagpond center 

lake Sea (inland) center 

lake Slough center 

lake Steady center 

lake Still center 

lake Tarn center 

lake Trap center 

lake V1y center 

lake Water Pocket center 

lake Water(s) center 

lake Water(s) center 

lake Waterhole (area) center 

lake Waterpan center 

lava A a center 

lava Kipuka center 

lava Lava center 

lava Lava Cone center 

lava Lava Delta center 

lava Lava Field center 

lava Lava Flow center 

lava Lava Plain center 

lava Lava Plateau center 

lava Lava Tongue center 

lava Lava Tube center 

lava Steptoe center 

levee Bank center 

levee Cutbank center 

levee Dike center 

levee Embankment center 

levee Hirst center 

levee Levee center 

levee Revetment center 

levee Sea Wall center 

levee Terrasse center 

locale Addition center 

locale Agency center 

locale Battle Field center 

locale Battlefield center 

locale Cabin center 

locale Camp center 

locale Campground center 

locale Cliff Dwellings center 

locale Comer center 

locale Comers center 

locale Corral center 

102 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

locale Country Club center 

locale Crossroads center 

locale Dairy center 

locale Depot center 

locale Dock center 

locale Dockyard center 

locale Downs center 

locale Dr agway center 

locale Estate center 

locale Exclosure center 

locale Fairgrounds center 

locale Farm center 

locale Ferry center 

locale Fire tower center 

locale Foot center 

locale Ford center 

locale Forge center 

locale Fort center 

locale Foundry center 

locale Furnace center 

locale Ghost Town center 

locale Gin center 

locale Golf Course center 

locale Grain Elevator center 

locale Grange center 

locale Grange Hall center 

locale Gristmill center 

locale Guard Station center 

locale Hall center 

locale Homestead center 

locale Industrial Park center 

locale Inn center 

locale Interchange center 

locale Jonction center 

locale Junction center 

locale Landing center 

locale Lighthouse center 

locale Locale (little or no 

population) center 

locale Locality center 

locale Lookoff center 

locale Lookout center 

locale Marina center 

locale Market center 

locale Mill center 

locale Milltown center 

locale Natatorium center 

103 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-cootim•ecl 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOU.RCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

locale Nursery center 

locale Orchard center 

locale Ordinary center 

locale Overlook center 

locale Passage (portage) center 

locale Pen center 

locale Picnic Area center 

locale Pier center 

locale Place center 

locale Plantation center 

locale Plaza (cultural) center 

locale Port center 

locale Port of Entry center 

locale Portage center 

locale Quay center 

locale Railroad Siding center 

locale Railroad Stop center 

locale Ranch center 

locale Ranger Station center 

locale Research Station center 

locale Rest Area center 

locale Retreat center 

locale Rodeo Grounds center 

locale Roundhouse center 

locale Route center 

locale Ruins center 

locale Sheep Camp center 

locale Shelter center 

locale Shop center 

locale Siding center 

locale Site center 

locale Ski Area center 

locale Slip center 

locale Spa center 

locale Speedway center 

locale Sports Arena center 

locale Station (no population) center 

locale Store center 

locale Summit (cultural) center 

locale Tavern center 

locale Terminals center 

locale Tipple center 

locale Toll House center 

locale Toll Plaza center 

locale Tollgate center 

locale Watennill center 

locale Wayside center 

104 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

locale Wharf center 

locale Windmill center 

locale y center 

locale Yacht Club center 

locale Yard center 

military Air Facility center 

military Air Force Base center 

military Air Station center 

military Ammunition Depot center 

military Ammunition Plant center 

military Amphibious Base center 

military Army Depot center 

military Army Headquarters center 

military Army Post center 

military Arsenal center 

military Barracks center 

military Battery center 

military Coast Guard Base center 

military Coast Guard Lifeboat Station center 

military Firing Center center 

military Firing Range center 

military Fortress center 

military Marine Corps Air Station center 

miltary Marine Corps Base center 

military Military Reservation center 

military Missile Base center 

military Missile Range center 

military Naval Air Station center 

military Naval Base center 

military Naval Shipyard center 

military Ordnance Laboratory center 

military Ordnance Plant center 

military Quartermaster Depot center 

military Reservacion Militar * center 

military Reserve Training Center center 

military Space Flight Center center 

military Supply Center center 

military Supply Depot center 

military Test Center center 

military Test Range center 

military Weapons Range center 

mine Adit center 

mine Fosse center 

mine Gloryhole center 

mine Mine center 

mine Mineral Pile center 

mine Pit center 

lOS 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

mine Portal center 

mine Quarry center 

mine Shaft center 

mine Slag Heap center 

oilfield on Pumping Station center 

ollfield Oilfield center 

oilfield Platform center 

oilfield Rig center 

park Amusement Park center 

park Aquatic Preserve center 

park Arboretum center 

park Cairn center 

park Common center 

park County park center 

park Field center 

park Game Management Area center 

park Game Reserve centet: 

park Greenbelt center 

park Historical Marker center 

park Marker center 

park Monument center 

park National Historical Landmark center 

park National Monument center 

park National Park 

(administrative) center 

park National Seashore center 

park National Wilderness Area center 

park National Wildlife Area center 

park Park (administrative) center 

park Racetrack center 

park Refuge center 

park Reserve center 

park Sanctuary center 

park Square center 

p_.-k Stadium center 

park State Historic Site center 

park State Park: center .. park State Preserve ..... ~ 

center 

park Statue center 

park Timber, center 

park USS (permanently moored) center 

park Wildlife Management Area center 

park Wildlife Refuge center 

park Zoo center 

peak Ben top 

pillar Aiguille top 

pillar Aquafact top 

106 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-coatinue4 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

pillar Block top 

pillar Candelas top 

pillar Cas top 

pillar Castle top 

pillar Chimney top 

pillar Column top 

pillar Demoiselles top 

pillar Ears top 

pillar Finger top 

pillar Longs tone top 

pillar Monolith top 

pillar Monument top 

pillar Needle top 

pillar Pena * top 

pillar Penasco* top 

pillar Pillar top 

pillar Pinacle top 

pillar Pinnacle top 

pillar Pohaku center 

pillar Rocher top 

pillar Rock (singular) top 

pillar Rock Tower center 

pillar Sea Mount top 

pillar Spire top 

pillar Stack top 

pillar Tepee top 

pillar Thumb top 

pillar Tooth top 

pillar Tower(- SOO ft. across) top 

pillar Tusk top 

plain Campagna center 

plain Carre center 

plain Champ center 

plain Champaign center 

plain Desert center 

plain Erg center 

plain Grassland center 

plain Hamada center 

plain Karroo center 

plain Kula center 

plain Lea center 

plain Outwash center 

plain Pampas center 

plain Panplain center 

plain Peneplain center 

plain Plain center 

plain Plaine center 

107 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

plain Plains center 

plain Plat center 

plain Plateau center 

plain Reg center 

plain Sa vane center 

plain Savanna center 

plain Steppe center 

plain Terrain center 

plain Terrane center 

plain Terrene center 

plain Tundra center 

plain Upland center 

plain Veldt center 

ppl Beach (populated) center 

ppl Beigh center 

ppl Boro center 

ppl Borough center 

ppl Bur center 

ppl Burg center 

ppl Burgh center 

ppl Bury center 

ppl By center 

ppl Caster center 

ppl Cester center 

ppl Chester center 

ppl City (populated place) center 

ppl Community center 

ppl Comer center 

ppl Ham center 

ppl Hamlet center 

ppl Hamp center 

ppl Plantation center 

ppl Port center 

ppl PPL (populated place) center 

ppl Resort center 

ppl Settlement center 

ppl Silo center 

ppl Station (populated) center 

ppl Stead center 

ppl Sted center 

ppl Suburb center 

ppl Ten center 

ppl Thorpe center 

ppl Tin center 

ppl Ton center 

ppl Town (populated place) center 

ppl Tun center 

108 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

ppl Village center 

ppl Wich center 

ppl Wick center 

ppl Worth center 

range Chain center 

range Cordillera center 

range Hills center 

range Massif center 

range Montanas * center 

range Mountain Chain center 

range Mountain Group center 

range Mountain Range center 

range Mountain System center 

range Mountains center 

range Nuddicks center 

range Paps center 

range Paramilla center 

range Piedmont center 

range Piemont center 

range Pointers center 

range Rang center 

range Range center 

range Sawback center 

range Sierra center 

range Towers top 

rapids Cataract center 

rapids Chute center 

rapids Eddy center 

rapids Overfall center 

rapids Pitch center 

rapids Race center 

rapids Rapide center 

rapids Rapids center 

rapids Rattle center 

rapids Remous center 

rapids Riffle center 

rapids Ripple center 

rapids Rips center 

rapids Sault center 

rapids Torrent center 

rapids Whirlpool center 

reserve Indian Reservation center 

reserve Reserve center 

reservoir Aboiteau dam 

reservoir Aljibe dam 

reservoir Cachment dam 

reservoir Cistern dam 

109 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide--contiuued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

reservoir Flooding dam 

reservoir Flowage dam 

reservoir Millpond dam 

reservoir Pond (man-made) dam 

reservoir Pool (man-made) dam 

reservoir Pozo dam 

reservoir Reservoir dam 

reservoir Retention Basin dam 

reservoir Tank dam 

reservoir Tanque dam 

reservoir Watertank dam 

ridge Arete * center 

ridge Backbone center 

ridge Balk center 

ridge Ball center 

ridge Berm center 

ridge Comb center 

ridge Couch center 

ridge Crest (linear) center 

ridge Crete center 

ridge Cuchilla center 

ridge Cuesta center 

ridge Divide center 

ridge Edge center 

ridge Esker center 

ridge Galera center 

ridge Hogback center 

ridge Hoodoos center 

ridge Horseback center 

ridge Lae center 

ridge Lead center 

ridge Moraine (linear) center 

ridge Morriner center 

ridge Narrows center 

ridge Offset center 

ridge Os center 

ridge Osar center 

ridge Point center 

ridge Razorback center 

ridge Reef center 

ridge Ridge center 

ridge Rough center 

ridge Saddle back center 

ridge Salient center 

ridge Shoulder center 

ridge Sowback center 

ridge Spur center 

110 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark miss~g) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

ridge Watershed center 

ridge Yardang center 

school Academy center 

school Campus center 

school College center 

school High School center 

school Institute center 

school School center 

school University center 

sea Eau center 

sea Mar center 

sea Mer center 

sea Ocean center 

sea Oceano* center 

sea Sea (continental) center 

shoal Ground center 

slope Acclivity center 

slope Adert center 

slope Back center 

slope Cove center 

slope Declivity center 

slope Descent center 

slope Descente center 

slope Deversant center 

slope Glacis center 

slope Grade center 

slope Gradient center 

slope Incline center 

slope Landfall center 

slope Landslide center 

slope Lands lip center 

slope Mudflow center 

slope Pediment center 

slope Pitch center 

slope Ranch center 

slope Rise center 

slope Rock Slide center 

slope Rockfall center 

slope Rub center 

slope Scree center 

slope Shoulder center 

slope Slide center 

slope Slope center 

slope Talus center 

slope Upbac center 

slope Versant center 

spring Bath center 

111 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-contimled 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

spring Hot Spring center 

spring Mud Pot center 

spring Oasis center 

spring Ojito center 

spring Ojo center 

spring Seep center 

spring Spring center 

spring Springs center 

spring Tinaja center 

spring Waterhole (point) center 

stream Agua mouth yes 

stream Anabranch mouth yes 

stream Anse mouth yes 

stream Arm mouth yes 

stream Arroyo mouth yes 

stream Awawa mouth yes 

stream Bayou mouth yes 

stream Bayou (flowing) mouth yes 

stream Bed mouth yes 

stream Bogue (flowing) mouth yes 

stream Bottom mouth yes 

stream Dour mouth yes 

stream Bourne mouth yes 

stream Brake mouth yes 

stream Branch mouth yes 

stream Branche mouth yes 

stream Brook mouth yes 

stream Burn mouth yes 

stream · Cala mouth yes 

stream Caleta mouth yes 

stream Cam mouth yes 

stream Channel mouth yes 

stream Cano * mouth yes 

stream Chute mouth yes 

stream Coulee mouth yes 

stream Courant mouth yes 

stream Cours mouth yes 

stream Creek mouth yes 

stream Crique mouth yes 

stream Current mouth yes 

stream · De charge mouth yes 

stream Dike mouth yes 

stream Distributary mouth yes 

stream Ditch mouth yes 

stream Drain (natural) mouth yes 

stream Dribble mouth yes 

stream Droke mouth yes 

112 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

stream Drook mouth yes 

stream Dugout mouth yes 

stream Estero mouth yes 

stream Falls mouth yes 

stream Feeder mouth yes 

stream Fleuve mouth yes 

stream Flow mouth yes 

stream Flume mouth yes 

stream Fly mouth yes 

stream Ford mouth yes 

stream Fork mouth yes 

stream Foso mouth yes 

stream Fosse mouth yes 

stream Fourche mouth yes 

stream Freshet mouth yes 

stream Gully mouth yes 

stream Gut mouth yes 

stream Gutter mouth yes 

stream Guzzle mouth yes 

stream Head mouth yes· 

stream Headwaters mouth yes 

stream Inlet mouth yes 

stream Kill mouth yes 

stream Laguna mouth yes 

stream Lateral mouth yes 

stream Lick mouth yes 

stream Marais mouth yes 

stream Marsh mouth yes 

stream Meadow mouth yes 

stream Millrace mouth yes . 

stream Millstream mouth yes 

stream Outlet mouth yes 

stream Pass mouth yes 

stream Prong mouth yes 

stream Puddle mouth yes 

stream Pup mouth yes 

stream Race mouth yes 

stream Resaca mouth yes 

stream Rill mouth yes 

stream Rio mouth yes 

stream Rito mouth yes 

stream River mouth yes 

stream Riveret mouth yes 

stream Riviere mouth yes 

stream Riviere* mouth yes 

stream Rivulet mouth yes 

stream Ruisseau mouth yes 

113 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

stream Ruisselet mouth yes 

stream Run mouth yes 

stream Runaround mouth yes 

stream Runnel mouth yes 

stream Runoff mouth yes 

stream Runround mouth yes 

stream Seep mouth yes 

stream Sewer mouth yes 

stream Shoals mouth yes 

stream Slash mouth yes 

stream Slofe mouth yes 

stream Slough (flowing) mouth yes 

stream Slue mouth yes 

stream Snye mouth yes 

stream Springs mouth yes 

stream Spung mouth yes 

streiun Stream mouth yes 

stream Stringer mouth yes 

stream Swale mouth y~s 

stream Swamp mouth yes 

stream Throat mouth yes 

stream Tiderace mouth ye$ 

stream Trace mouth yes 

stream Tributary mouth yes , 

stream Vly mouth yes 

stream Walk mouth yes 

stream Wash mouth yes -· 

stream Water mouth yes 

stream Watercourse (flowing) mouth yes 

stream Zanja mouth yes 

summit Abu top 

summit Alto top 

summit Ann top 

sumniit Back top 

summit Bald top 

sutnmtt Baldy top 

summit Ball top 

summit Bally top 

swmhlt Banks top 

summit Baraboo top 

summit Barchan top 

summit Barren top 

summit Batture top 

summit Be inn top 

summit Berg top 

surlunit Block top 

summit Bolly top 

114 
FEATURE 

CLASS 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

GENERIC/WORD 

Botmet 

Bosse 

Boulder 

Bray 

Bull 

Burr 

Buse 

Butt 

Butte 

Buttereau 

Cairn 

Cap 

Cerrillo 

Cerrito 

Cerro 

Chimney 

Cinder 

Colina 

Collado 

Colline 

Cone 

Cote 

Crest (top) 

Crown 

Cumbre 

Cup 

Dome 

Doubles 

Drift 

Drum 

Drumlin 

Drumlinoid 

Drumloid 

Dun 

Dune 

Dwip 

Elevation 

Eminence 

Fang 

Fell 

Fill 

Flatiron 

Fleche 

Fold 

Foothills 

Foredune 

Gaze 

115 

PRIME 

POINT 

top 

top 

top · 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

SOURCE 

POINT 

REQ 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

summit Hamongog top 

summit Head top 

summit Head (hill) top 

summit Heaven top 

summit Heights top 

summit High top 

summit Hill top 

summit Hillock top 

summit Hom top 

summit Horst top 

summit Huerfano top 

summit Hum top 

summit Hump top 

summit Hurst top 

summit Jugs top 

summit Kame top 

summit Kern but top 

summit Knap top 

summit Knob top 

summit Knoll top 

summit Kop top 

summit Kopje top 

summit Ledge top 

summit Lenticular top 

summit Lorna top 

summit Lorna top 

summit Lookout top 

summit Lump top 

summit Mamelon top 

summit Mass top 

summit Matterhorn top 

summit Mauna ., top 

summit Medano top 

summit Mendip top 

summit Mesa top 

summit Meseta top 

summit Mesita top 

summit Mitre top 

summit Monadnock top 

summit Mont top 

summit Montagne top 

summit Monte top 

summit Moraine (area) top 

summit Mott top 

summit Motte top 

summit Mound top ' summit Mount top 

116 
FEATURE 

CLASS 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

summit 

APPENDIX G.-~ Feature ·Guide-continued I 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

GENERIC/WORD 

Mountain 

Mud Cone 

Nez 

Nipple(s) 

Nob 

Nobble 

Nook 

Nose 

Nubble 

Nunatak 

Outcrop 

Pahas 

Pain de sucre 

Paw 

Peak 

Pepino 

Pic 

Picacho 

Pi co 

Pikes 

Pile 

Pinacle 

Pingo 

Piton 

Point 

Pointu 

Promontoire 

Pulpit 

Punta 

Puu 

Pyramids 

Remnant 

Roche Moutonnee 

Rock (massive) 

Rognon 

Roost 

Round top 

Sand Drift 

Sand Dune 

Sand Hills 

Sandia 

Schloss 

Sea Stack 

Seat 

Serrate 

Sheepback 

Snout 

117 

PRIME 

POINT 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

top 

SOURCE 

POINT 

REQ 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

summit Solfatara top 

summit Sommet top 

summit Steeple top 

summit Sugar Loaf top 

summit Sugarloaf top 

summit Summit (physical) top 

summit Table top 

summit Table Mountain top 

summit Tableland (- 3 mi. across) top 

summit Teat top 

summit Teton top 

summit TUt top 

summit Tit(s) top 

summit Toe top 

summit Tolt top 

summit Top top 

summit Tops aU top 

summit Tor top 

summit Torbiere top 

summit Tourelle top 

summit Toumant top 

summit Tower(+ 500ft. across) top 

summit Volcano top 

summit Whale back top 

swamp Bay center 

swamp Baygall center 

swamp Baygul center 

swamp Bayou center 

swamp Bog center 

swamp Bogan center 

swamp Brake center 

swamp Branch center 

swamp Buckle center 

swamp Cienaga center 

swamp Congress center 

swamp Cypriere center 

swamp Deadening center 

swamp Dismal center 

swamp Everglade center 

swamp Fen center 

swamp Flats center 

swamp Flatwoods center 

swamp Floodplain center 

swamp Fly center 

swamp Hay Meadow center 

swamp Head center 

swamp Heath center 

118 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

swamp Hom center 

swamp Interfluve center 

swamp Intervale center 

swamp Lagoon (vegetation) center 

swamp Logan center 

swamp Lowmoor center 

swamp Mangrove center 

swamp Marais center 

swamp Mare cage center 

swamp Mareman center 

swamp Marsh center 

swamp Mash center 

swamp Mire center 

swamp Mish center 

swamp Morais center 

swamp Morass center 

swamp Moremma center 

swamp Mome center 

swamp Mouillere * center 

swamp Muskeg center 

swamp Pocket center 

swamp Pocosin center 

swamp Quagmire center 

swamp Quaking Bay center 

swamp Savane center 

swamp Savannah center 

swamp Saw grass center 

swamp Sea center 

swamp Sedge center 

swamp Slash center 

swamp Slue (not open channel) center 

swamp Sog center 

swamp Strand center 

swamp Suck center 

swamp Swamp center 

swamp Tarai center 

swamp Tidal Marsh center 

swamp Tule center 

swamp Tulelands center 

swamp Vly center 

tower Beacon center 

tower Obelisk center 

tower Tower center 

trail Incline center 

trail Jeep Trail center 

trail Path center 

trail Ski Trail center 

119 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature 

·Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

trail Spur center 

trail · Stock Trail center 

trail Trace center 

trail Track center · 

trail Trail center 

trail Tramway center 

trail Vereda center 

tunnel Culvert center 

tunnel Portal center 

tunnel Tunnel center 

valley Backdeep mouth yes 

valley Barranca mouth yes 

valley Box mouth yes 

valley Box Canyon mouth yes 

valley Cajon mouth yes 

valley Canada* mouth yes 

valley Canon* mouth yes 

valley canyon · mouth yes 

valley Chasm mouth yes 

valley Chine mouth yes 

valley Cleft mouth yes 

valley Cleuch mouth yes 

valley Cleugh mouth yes 

valley Clove mouth yes 

valley Cluse mouth yes 

valley Combe mouth yes 

valley Coombe mouth yes 

valley Comer mouth yes 

valley Coulee mouth yes 

valley Couloir· mouth yes 

valley Cove (land) mouth yes 

valley Crevasse (earth) mouth yes 

valley Cumb mouth yes 

valley Dale· mouth yes 

valley Dalles mouth yes 

valley Dell mouth yes 

valley Den mouth yes 

valley Dingle mouth yes 

v~ey Dol mouth yes 

valley Dong a mouth yes 

valley Draft mouth yes 

valley Draw (deep) mouth yes 

valley Droke mouth yes 

valley Drook mouth yes 

valley Fault mouth yes 

valley Fiord mouth yes 

valley Fissure mouth yes 

120 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guide-continued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

valley Fjord mouth yes 

valley Flume (natural) mouth yes 

valley Furrow mouth yes 

valley Gill mouth yes 

valley Glen mouth yes 

valley Gorge mouth yes 

valley Graben mouth yes 

valley Gulch mouth yes 

valley Gulf (land) mouth yes 

valley GulJy mouth yes 

valley Gut mouth yes 

valley Gutter mouth yes 

valley Hole mouth yes 

valley Hollow mouth yes 

valley Inferno mouth yes 

valley Jambs mouth yes 

valley Mofette mouth yes 

valley Narrows mouth yes 

valley Neck mouth yes 

valley Nullah mouth yes 

valley Pup mouth yes 

valley Quarters mouth yes 

valley Quebrada mouth yes 

valley Ramble mouth yes 

valley Ravin mouth yes 

valley Ravine mouth yes 

valley Rift mouth yes 

valley Rincon mouth yes 

valley River Valley mouth yes 

valley Sag mouth yes 

valley Shutup mouth yes 

valley Slide mouth yes 

valley Swale mouth yes 

valley Thalweg mouth yes 

valley Transverse mouth yes 

valley Trench mouth yes 

valley Trough mouth yes 

valley Vale mouth yes 

valley Valle mouth yes 

valley Vallee mouth yes 

valley Valley mouth yes 

valley Vault mouth yes 

valley Vlei mouth yes 

valley Vley mouth yes 

valley V1y mouth yes 

valley Wallow mouth yes 

valley Wash mouth yes 

121 
APPENDIX G.-Map Feature Guicle-contiDued 

(* indicates diacritical mark missing) 

SOURCE 

FEATURE PRIME POINT 

CLASS GENERIC/WORD POINT REQ 

valley Widger mouth yes 

well Borehole center 

well OUwell center 

well Well center 

woods Bois center 

woods Bosquet center 

woods Brake center 

woods Droke center 

woods Drook center 

woods Grove center 

woods Mott center 

woods Scrub center 

woods Shaw center 

woods SUva center 

woods Taiga center 

woods Thicket center 

woods Tuck center 

woods Woodland center 

woods Woods center 

122 
APPENDIX H.-Determining Geographical Coordinates 

There are various ways to determine relatively accurate geographical coordinates (latitude 

and longitude) of a point located on a large-scale topographic map published by the U.S. 

Geological Survey. Two common methods for determining latitude and longitude of a point 

are described here. In each case, special tools or interpolation devices are needed; the first 

method involves the use of special film-positive templates; the second requires the use of 

ten-space dividers. Each methOd is of equal merit, once the procedures are learned. 

Increasing latitude values are read from south to north in the United States. Increasing longitude values are read from east to west. The values are based on units of degrees divided into 

60 minutes which, in turn, are divided into 60 seconds. When recorded, the latitude values 

precede the longitude values; example: 47°15'20" (latitude) and 112°45'15" (longitude). 

Latitude and longitude values are shown at each of the four comers of a topographic map. 

Intermediate latitude values are designated on the right and left (east and west) margins of 

the neat-line of the map by tick marks, thin lines projecting a very short distance into the 

body of a map opposite the 2 1/2 minute interval values. In a similar way, intermediate 

longitudinal values are designated on the top and bottom (north and south) margins of the map 

at 2 1/2 minute intervals. 

The purpose of the special interpolation devices is to determine latitude and longitude of a 

point by degree, minute, and second values from the margins of the map. The following 

instructions for the use of the film-positive templates and the ten-space dividers apply to 

1:24,000-scale USGS topographic maps. 

Using Film Positive Templates 

This procedure requires the use of two linear scales on transparent film marked at 5-second 

increments, and of sufficient length to encompass 7.5 minutes of latitude and of longitude. 

One scale is used for latitude and the other for longitude. They are 7. 5 minutes long because 

the latitudinal and longitudinal distances on the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps are 7.5 

(7'30") minutes south to north and east to west. 

The latitude scale can be used for measuring latitudinal bands on 1:24,000-scale maps up to 

10 degrees North and South without loss of accuracy. Meridians of longitude converge from 

the Equator to the Poles and units of longitude on the map become smaller as one progresses 

from south to north. For this reason, a different template is used to conveniently fit the map 

scale for each degree band of latitude. 

In order to determine the latitude of a point on a map, place the latitude template on the 

map in such a way that the 0' mark matches the bottom (south) neatline of the map and the 

7.5 (7'30") minute mark at the top of the scale intersects the top (north) neatline. The black 

centerline on the template intersects the point to be measured (see fig. 1H). The minute and 

second values of the point are then read and added to the latitudinal value of the bottom 

(south) neatline of the map. Locations within the 5-second increments on the scale can be 

visually interpolated. For example, the latitude of Cowttry Junction on the map in the 

illustration is read as 1 '32". This value added to the neatline value of 42°37'30" makes the 

latitude value of the road junction called Country Junction 42°39'02" N. Keep in mind that 

60" equals 1 '; thus 62 seconds (62") equals 1 minute 2 seconds (1 '2"). Note that all points in 

the fifty United States are in north latitude. 

123 
't--..__----""'---'--.....J420 37'30. 

90°07'3IY 

Fig. 1H.-To determine latitude (north-south}, a film Positive template can be used for' measuring latitudinal bands on 1:24,000-scale maps of up to 10 degrees N-S without loss of 

accuracy. The ·template for measuring latitude is placed on the map so that the 0' tick 

mark intersectS the neatline of the south edge of the map~ The 7'30" tick intersects the 

neatline on the north edge of the map and the centerline of the template intersects the 

points being measured. Add the reading from the template to the latitude of the south 

edge of the map to obtain the latitude of the point. · For example, · the reading on the 

template for Country Junction is 1 '32" from the south edge of the map at 42°37'30" + 

1 '32" = 42°39'02" N. For longitude, see fig. 2H. 

124 
I eoo 16' 

~~~~ 

42°37'30. 1---------------------L..------__;::~~ 

90°15' 

Figure 2H.--To determine longitude (east-west) using a film positive template on 1:24,000-

scale maps, use the following method. Because of convergence of meridians, a separate 

template is needed for each 1 o band of latitude. For this example, select the longitude 

template for 42° latitude. UsuaUy, this template will be slightly longer than the E-W 

distance between the map boundaries. Rotate the template until the 0' tick mark intersects the neatline of the east edge of the map, the 7'30" tick mark intersects the neatline 

on the west edge of the map, and the centerline intersects the point b~ing measured. 

Add the reading from the template to the longitude of the east edge of the map to obtain 

the longitude of the point. For example, the reading on the template for Country 

Junction is 6'47" from the east edge of the map at 90°07'30" + 6'47" = 90°14'17" W. 

12S 
APPENDIX H.-Determining Geographical Coordinates-contim•ed 

The longitude of Country Junction is determined using the same procedure with the longitude 

template. In this case, the side (east and west) neatlines of the map are used. UsualJy the 

template is longer than the distance between the map margins and so must be rotated (angled) 

in such a way that the 0' mark is on the right (east) neatline and the 7'30" mark is on the left 

(west) neatline. The centerline of the template scale then intersects the road junction. In 

illustration "b," the road junction is read as 6'47" on the scale. This value is added to the 

longitudinal value of the right or east edge of the map; in this case 90°07'30". Thus Country 

Junction is located at 90°14'17" W. longitude. 

Using Spacing Dividers 

A spacing divider can also be conveniently used to determine the geographical coordinates of 

a point on a map. It is a metal device that can be simply ad)lsted by hand so that its end 

points can be separated or closed to fit variable distances on a map. Any distance between 

two points on a map is then divided into 10 equally spaced units. For example, the 2 1/2' 

(minute) grid tick marks on the margins of a map at 1:24,000 scale can be divided into tenths 

or units of 15" (seconds). Ten times 15" equals 150" or 2'30" {60" divided into 150" equals 

2'30"). 

A spacing divider is not large and cannot be extended across the face of the map from edge 

to edge. For this reason, it is sometimes necessary to divide the topographic map into smaller 

units of area by drawing pencil lines across the face of the map connecting equal 2.5-minute 

grid tick marks east and west and south and north for feature points in the center of the map. 

Note that the places where the 2.5-minute grids cross each other in the body of the map are 

printed with fine-line cross tick marks. These points can be used as guides for drawing the 

pencil lines. 

To determine the geographical coordinates of a particular point on the map, the spacing 

divider is ad)lsted by spreading the device to the exact distance of 2.5 minutes of latitude 

(south-north) determined from the tick mark on the east or west side of the map. The distance between each point on the divider is one-tenth of 2.5 minutes, or 15 seconds. The 

spacing divider can now be moved and used to measure the latitude of the map point reading 

from south to north. For example, in figure 3H, there are 6. 7 divider intervals to the center 

point of Anthony, counting northward from the neatline of the map. As in this case, locations 

between spacing divider points are usualJy interpolated. Thus 6. 7 x 15" = 100.5 seconds or 

1 '40" (rounded off). This, added to the latitide 37°07'30" of the lower (south) base line on the 

map equals 37°09'10" N. for the latitude of Anthony. The same procedure is followed to 

determine longitude except that one works from right to left (east to west). The longitude of 

Anthony is about 98°01'50" W. 

126 
.. Primary highway, Light-duty road, hard or 

GNI A hardsurface --imprcwedsurface _ -~ 

Secondary highway, .. O"lot' 'i.iO'MILS 

9Mii:S 20077 hard surface -~ Unimproved road ......... & .. 

0 Interstate Route 0 U. S. Route Q State Route 

Figure 3H.--Use of the equal divider for determining latitude and longitude. The geographic coordinate system is ated on the 1:24,000- and 1:25,000-scale maps of the 

U.S. Geological Survey by , ticks located along the neatline of each map 2.5 minutes 

apart. These grid ticks can : connected across the face of the work map by east-west 

a

antdthneorth

00

-unsodsuth

0

linf. these. 

2

Wh.S en : equal spacing divider is adjusted with its end points set -aalu.a •• .-... " area, the distance between each point represents 15 

seconds of latitude or longi on the map. For example, there are 6. 7 divider intervals 

counting from the bottom 1 the map at 37°07'30"N + (6.7 x 15") 1 '40" (rounded) = 

37°09'10" N. The longitude 1 Anthony is determined in the same manner east-west: 

98°01 '50" w. 

127 
APPENDIX I.-Status Category Classification 

ADMIN - airport forest 

civU park 

UN OFF - lalridge oilfield 

building other 

cemetery school 

church tower 

crossing trall 

dam tunnel 

hospital well 

mine 

BGN arch cave island reserve 

area channel isthmus reservoir 

arroyo cliff lake ridge 

bar crater lava sea 

basin falls levee slope 

bay flat locale spring 

beach gap pillar stream 

bench geyser plain summit 

bend glacier ppl swamp 

canal gut range valley 

cape harbor rapids woods 

128 
AppencUx J .-National Bibliogapbic Source Codes 

This list is used nationalJy and is subject to expansion as needed. Contact the GNIS Manager 

for the latest list. 

US - M101/YEAR - USGS topographic quadrangle maps published or reprinted 

since Phase I. 

US - M103/ * /YEAR - NOS ocean, river and lake charts where * is the 

5-digit chart number. 

US- M104/YEAR- U.S. Forest Service maps. 

US - M105/YEAR - County maps published by the State. 

US - M106/YEAR - State base map - 1 :500,000-scale. 

US - M116/YEAR- State highway maps. 

US- M9***/MAPNAME/YEAR- USGS historical topographic maps where*** is a 

2- or 3-digit code for map scale 

24=1 :24,000-scale; 25=1 :25 ,000-scale; 

62=1 :62,500-scale; 63=1 :63,360-scale; 

125=1: 125,000-scale; 250=1 :250,000-scale; 99=0ther scales. 

US- T102- U.S. BGN list of names not found on USGS topographic maps. 

US - T106 - FIPS 55 list (U.S. National Bureau of Standards). 

US - T107 - Dams and Reservoirs list (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). 

US - T108 - Airport list (FAA). 

US - T109/NAME/YEAR - National Park Service lists and brochures where NAME 

refers to the name of the brochure. 

US - T110 - Radio and Television Station lists (FCC). 

US - T111 - U.S. Forest Service recreation area list. 

US- T112/YEAR- Census of Population list (Bureau of the Census). 

US- T113/YEAR- NOS Coast Pilot. 

US - T114/YEAR - NOS Light list. 

US- T115/YEAR- Census County/Township (Bureau of the Census). 

US- T119/YEAR- Shopping Center Directory. 

US - T120/YEAR - Public Laws (Congressional Record). 

US - T121 - BGN Files after Phase I. 

US - T122/DA TE - USGS - Public Affairs Office - Newsletters. 

US - T123/YEAR/p. _- Bullinger's Postal and Shippers Guide. 

US - T124/NAME/YEAR - National Wildlife Refuge Brochures and Maps where NAME 

refers to the brochure name. 

US - T125/p. -- - Federal Writers' Project Volume. 

129 
APPENDIX K.-"a" Format for Encoding Geographic Names 

The "a" format is used for all three types of data to be encoded. 

The three types of data include the following: 

1) NEW names and associated information not in the State file. 

2) VARIANTS to records currently in the State file (variants to 

NEW names are included with the appropriate NEW names record). 

· 3) Additions and· corrections' to ·records in the State file. 

This will require that the three types of data be submitted in three separate files because 

each will be processed differently. 

This format corresponds exactly with the attached Input Coding Form. Each -data element 

will begin on a new SO-character format line with an "a" in the first position followed by the 

appropriate data element associated number (see fig. 7). There must be a blank between the 

data element number and the data. 

Only the first 69 characters of the format line may be used. In some instances, a data 

element will have multiple data items in which case a continuation is signaled by a quotation 

mark or " in position one of the SO-character format line. The quotation mark must be 

separated from the following data by a blank space.· ~ample: · 

al Big Canyon 

a3 vaU v 

a4 4Hl . 41039 41041 53061 

aS Coos, Lane, Lincoln, Snohomish (WA) 

a6 461410Nl233111W 460729Nl233101W 4SS920Nl233026W 

" 4SS44SN123274SW 4SS231Nl23290lW 

a7 4S4621Nl231903W 

a9 Knappa, Wickiup Mountain, Vinemaple, Sager Creek, 

" Birkenfield, Clear Creek 

al6 Bigger Canyon (OR-T43/p. 14), Big Valley (US-MlOS), 

" Nasty Canyon (US-Ml04), Nowhere Canyon (OR-T301/p. S4), 

" Triple Canyon (US-MlOS) 

al7 42 miles long 

alS BGN 

a20 sec 17, T4N, R7W, Willamette Meridian 

a99 OR-T43/p. 14 

As many continuation lines as necessary may be made as long as only the first 69 positions of 

formatted line are used and the continuations follow in a logical sequence. Also, the data 

should be broken at logical breaks in words or data items even if less than 69 positions are 

used for that particular formatted line. There is no minimum in number of used positions in 

this format, but there is a maximum of 69. 

Each type of data requires a different processing procedure. NEW names records will require 

as a minimum the following data elements: al, a3, a4, aS, a6, a9, alS, and a99. Elements a7, 

al6, al9, and a20 are necessary if applicable. The other data elements (all, alS, al7) 

enhance the information and are desirable only if obtaining that data does not significantly 

interfere with the acquisition and research for the minimum required data. The element a9S 

is used to convey messages or problems and will not become part of the permanent entry. 

130 
APPENDIX IC.-"a" Format for Encoding Geographic Names-continued 

The second type of data includes VARIANT names to records already in the State file. The 

data element aO is followed by the appropriate record identification number (eight digits 

obtained from the ID Names Listing), and the new variants are entered as data element a16. 

All VARIANTS must in(:lude a bibliographic code in parentheses after the variant. Do not use 

data element "a99" for this procedure. See "Variant Names," p. 00, for instructions. 

The third type of data includes additions and/ or corrections to records already in the State 

file (variants are not included in this procedure). The data element aO is followed by the 

appropriate record identification number (eight digits obtained from the ID Names Listing). 

The addition or correction is then entered after the data element number. If corrections or 

additions are required with multiple entries, then all entries must be re-entered for this data 

element. Data element a99 is not necessary. 

The final data may be ~•ubmitted on magnetic tape or magnetic diskette. For data submitted 

on 9-track magnetic ta1,e, use the following format: 

Record lengtll 

Block size 

Tape density 

Character co<le 

nonlabeled 

= 80 

= 6160 = 6,250 or 1,600 bpi 

= ASCU 

For data submitted on floppy diskettes the data must be an American Standard Code for 

Information InterchangE~ (ASCU) file and must have been prepared using the Disk Operating 

System (DOS). 

131 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

annotated bibliography - A complete bibliographic reference including a short explanation and 

worth of the source. · 

areal feature- Features that contain area as opposed to those that are classed as linear; the 

coordinates "digitized" or recorded are at the approximate center of the feature. 

bathYmetric- The measurement of the depth of a water body, hence, a map with isobaths or 

contour lines measuring the relief of the floor of the body of water. 

Board·on Ge·ographic Names - See U.S. Board on Geographic Names. 

cell- Used specifically in GNIS to refer to equal 7.5- by 7.5-minute map areas. The term is 

used because GNIS references the map cell whether published or not published, and 

divides "overedge" maps into two equal 7 .5-minute by 7 .5-minute maps. 

centroid - The approximate center of an areal feature and the point represented by the primary geographic coordinate. 

controlled redundancy - Multiple occurrence of data or records on purpose. For example, a 

name entity passing through or occurring ·in more than one State has a valid record in 

each State file in which it is located. 

Controversial Nanie Report- See Domestic Geographic Names Report. 

data base - A collection of interrelated or· independent data items stored together without 

unnecess.ary redundancy, to serve one or more applications. 

data element - A basic unit of identifiable and definable information and occupies the space 

provided by fields in a record, blocks, or a forin. 

data item - An expression of a fact or" a data element. A subdivision of the data element, and 

the smallest defmable unit in a record. 

data system - A collection of data bases. 

designator - ·see feature class. · 

diacritical mark - A mark added to a letter to show pronunciation. 

Domestic Geographic Names Report - The form used to annotate and submit controversial 

names to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for resolution. 

entity- Something about which data are recorded. In data base management concepts, a 

person, place, or object about which items or data are collected, recorded, and organized 

into fields, records, and data files. · ~ 

feature class- One of 63 broad categories in GNIS that groups similar features into categories to facilitate search and retrieval. For example, creek, river, branch, brook, run, 

etc., are all linear overland flowing bodies of water categorized as stream. 

feature-class definition- The specific def"mition of 63 broad GNIS categories of featur~s. 

Federal Information ·Processing Standards (FIPS) Code- Any code developed and published by 

the National Bureau of Standards; specifically, in GNIS, the five-digit numeric 

State/ county codes and certain two-character alphabetical codes for States and foreign · countries. · · · ~ 

field - See data element. 

FIPS Code .- See Federal Information Processing Standards Code. 

generic- That part of·a geographic name that refers to kind or type of feature. For example, 

Big Lake where lake is the generic part of the name. · 

geographic coordinates- An artificial system or grid expressed in degrees, minutes, and 

seconds used for location on the Earth's surface -latitude measures distance north-south 

and longitude measures distance east-west. 

132 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS-continued 

geographic name - A proper name or geographic expression by which a particular geographic 

entity is or was known; a noun phrase of one or more words used consistently in spoken 

and (or) written language to refer to _ a particular and relatively permanent place, 

feature, or area on the Earth's surface or to a conceptionally related group of such 

places, features, or areas. 

Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)- The system compqsed of data bases, software,. 

programs, and procedures that include geographic names, their standards, and associated 

information. 

GNIS - An acronym for Geographic Names ·Information System. 

interactive :- The process of interacting or interfacing directly with the data base for immediately retrieving and displaying information. 

interface - A common boundary at which two separate systems or portions of each system join 

or intersect. An interface can be mechanical, as in adjoining hardware surfaces, or it 

can be electrical, as in single-level transformation points. Moreover, it can also refer to 

human and machine interface, and the interaction between man and computers. 

label- The established abbreviation for each·data element which must be used when estab-

--lishing the search criteria. 

linear feature- A named feature in GNIS that is linear rather than areal in extent. Specifi.:.. 

cally features that are in the feature categories arroyo, valley, and stream that are 

linear and require both mouth and source geographic coordinates. 

Phase I - Includes the compilation and edit of all names in the United States and its territories 

from the U.S. Geological Survey topographic map series (see Appendix A). 

Phase n - Includes the compilation and edit of names from most known sources in addition to 

U.S. Geological Survey topo.graphic maps (see Appendix A.) 

primary coordinate- The geographic coordinate representing the center of areal features and 

the mouth of linear features. · 

record - A group of related data elements or fields treated as a unit - specifically, a record 

refers to a named feature· and associated data. 

redtmdancy - See controlled redtmdancy. 

secondary coordinate - A geographic coordinate that associates a feature with each 7.5-

minute U.S. Geological Survey topographic map on which it is located. 

software- Computer programs, procettu_.es, rules, and documentation associated with the 

operation of a computer system. · 

source coordinate - The beginning point of linear features expressed as a geographic 

coordinate. 

spatial- Refers to space or occupying space. 

topographic map - A map portraying horizontal and vertical positions on a specific part of the 

Earth's surface determined by geographic coordinates and specifically portraying 

elevation or altitude by isohypse or contour lines. 

U.S. Board on Geographic Names- A Federal body which is authorized by law to establish and 

maintain uniform geographic names usage throughout the Federal Government. The 

Board, composed of representatives of Federal agencies, was created in 1890 and 

organized in its present form by Public Law in 194 7. 

variant- The term used to list and describe any other known names, forms, or spellings of a 

current official name. 

133 

~u.s. G.P,O. 1987-181-40?•60011