Title:
Geographic Names Information System Populated Places
Originator:
Abstract:
Populated Places is an extract that lists information about all cities,
towns, housing subdivisions, and neighborhoods throughout the U.S. that are described
in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database.
Format: vector points –
Shapefile
Spatial Reference Information: Decimal Degrees, North American
Datum 1983
The GNIS database, developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, contains information about physical and cultural geographic features in the United States and associated areas, both current and historical, but not including roads and highways. The database also contains geographic names in Antarctica.
The database holds the Federally recognized name of each feature and defines the location of the feature by state, county, USGS topographic map, and geographic coordinates. Other feature attributes include names or spellings other than the official name, feature designations, feature class, historical and descriptive information, and for some categories of features the geometric boundaries. The database assigns a unique feature identifier, a random number, that is a key for accessing, integrating, or reconciling GNIS data with other data sets.
The GNIS is our Nation's official repository of domestic geographic feature names information. The GNIS is the official vehicle for geographic names use by the Federal Government and the source for applying geographic names to Federal maps and other products. The GNIS supports the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The Board serves the Federal Government, other government agencies, and the public as the central authority to which name inquiries, name issues, and new name proposals can be directed. The GNIS provides the data to government agencies and to the public.
The GNIS also supports the U.S. Geological Survey National Map as the source for the gazetteer search in The National Map viewer and as an active layer in The National Map for Federal boundaries and geographic features not available from state or local sources. Please visit:
https://geonames.usgs.gov
for further information.
