Geographic Names Information System

Geographic Names Information System is a comprehensive database of geographic names developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The system provides a standardized framework for identifying and referencing geographic features, such as Mount Everest, Grand Canyon, and Lake Michigan. It is widely used by various organizations, including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to support mapping, research, and emergency response efforts. The system is also utilized by other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom, to develop their own geographic names databases, including the Geographical Names Board of Canada and the Ordnance Survey.

Introduction

The Geographic Names Information System is a critical component of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), which aims to promote the sharing and use of geographic data among various stakeholders, including NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Census Bureau. The system contains information on over 2 million geographic features, including rivers, lakes, mountains, and cities, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It is used in conjunction with other geographic information systems, such as the National Elevation Dataset and the National Hydrography Dataset, to support a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, natural resource management, and urban planning, in collaboration with organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

History

The development of the Geographic Names Information System began in the 1960s, with the establishment of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The BGN was tasked with standardizing geographic names and developing a comprehensive database of geographic features, in cooperation with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The system was initially developed using data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Census Bureau, and has since been updated and expanded to include data from other sources, including the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as international organizations like the United Nations and the International Cartographic Association.

Data Collection

The Geographic Names Information System relies on a variety of data sources, including topographic maps, aerial photography, and field observations, collected by organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The data is collected and verified through a rigorous process, involving remote sensing, GIS analysis, and field validation, in collaboration with partners like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The system also incorporates data from other countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and Australia, to provide a comprehensive and standardized framework for geographic names, in accordance with international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

Database Structure

The Geographic Names Information System is a relational database that stores information on geographic features, including their names, locations, and attributes, such as elevation, latitude, and longitude. The database is structured around a set of standardized tables and fields, which provide a consistent framework for storing and retrieving data, in compliance with standards set by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) and the International Cartographic Association (ICA). The system uses a variety of data models, including the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) data model, to support the integration of data from different sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Applications and Uses

The Geographic Names Information System has a wide range of applications and uses, including emergency response, natural resource management, and urban planning, in collaboration with organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The system is used by various stakeholders, including federal agencies, state and local governments, and private companies, such as Esri and Google, to support mapping, research, and decision-making efforts, including the development of geographic information systems (GIS) and location-based services (LBS). It is also used in conjunction with other geographic information systems, such as the National Elevation Dataset and the National Hydrography Dataset, to support a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring and infrastructure planning, in partnership with organizations like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

Data Access and Tools

The Geographic Names Information System provides a variety of tools and interfaces for accessing and using the data, including the GNIS Website, which allows users to search and download data, and the GNIS API, which provides programmatic access to the data, in accordance with standards set by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The system also provides a range of data products, including shapefiles and CSV files, which can be used in GIS software and other applications, such as ArcGIS and QGIS, developed by organizations like Esri and the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) community. Additionally, the system provides a range of tools and resources, including tutorials and documentation, to support users in accessing and using the data, in collaboration with partners like the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Category:Geographic information systems