Frequently Asked Questions (GNS)
S e a r c h B y C a t e g o r y
- G a z e t t e e r s
- U s i n g G N S
- F i l t e r i n g D a t a
- A d d i n g N a m e s
- F i n d i n g D i s c r e p a n c i e s
- I C a n ' t F i n d . . .
- P r o d u c t s a n d S e r v i c e s
- N e w Q u e s t i o n ?
Gazetteers
Q: I have had no luck getting any reply but the following today while using the NGA Gazetteer Search on the new GeoNames server. (The old server seems to be working fine, as usual.) "No records were found matching your criteria." I specified each of several names in turn (the most recent was Tampico), highlighted the appropriate country (Mexico) and entered its code (MX) in the FIPS ADM1 code box, left all of the "Name Type" boxes checked, specified that the list be sorted in Feature order, clicked "Select All Populated Places," and then clicked the Search box. Every time I got the same reply, even though my tests were with well-known, long-established Mexican cities. Am I doing something wrong, or is the Gazetteer Search function out of order? If the former, what should I do differently? If the latter, when will it be fixed?
A: I submitted the same query, minus the FIPS ADM1 Code which is actually the value for the appropriate Administrative Division (similar to a state in the US). I received replies to the query. If you have any suggestions on making our site more User-Friendly, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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Using GNS
Q: Where do I find Name Type field values?
A: Go to the home page and click on the link named Country Files. You'll be presented with pre-positioned country files for download. You'll see three links towards the top of the page, you want the middle one named Description of Names Files for Countries and Territories Format. That is the page that describes the fields in those country files, including the Name Type (NT) field and its possible values. Another way to get there is by going to the Help section on our menu and clicking on Results Output Format.
Q: Why can't I view some (or all) of the characters in the GNDB search results?
A: Please see the Browser Display Problems section of Getting Started.
Q: What does it mean when a feature name is enclosed in double parenthesis?
A: A feature that either no longer exists or whose existence can no longer be verified.
Examples of use:
An administrative division that has been divided into new administrative divisions.
A populated place that is shown on an older source but does not appear (as opposed to being shown but not named) on newer, reliable, large-scale sources.
Q: It would certainly help to know the number of spaces within each file field of the "Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Output Format" and others. A great help when using DBase programs. Thanks.
A: For the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Output Format, see Explanation of GNS GIS Output files. For the pre-generated country files, see Description of Names Files for Countries and Territories Format.
Q: I was browsing through the database for names of certain cities. I am not sure which country is it in. Is there a different kind of search I can perform on the larger database?
A: You can query the database for a name without having to select a country. This would generate a list of names worldwide that match your input string.
Q: Is there data regarding which province a feature (of type Populated Place) is in?
A: The ADM1 Code is the province designator. The combination of the FIPS Country Code and FIPS ADM1 Code would give one a clue of which province in Canada, for example, a named feature would fall (i.e. CA01 for Alberta, Canada). In the example of CA01, CA is the FIPS Country Code for Canada and 01 is the FIPS ADM1 Code for Alberta.
Q: I need some definitions/explanations for systems of data in "GEOnet Names Server" We are trying to coordinate data in UTM from other sources with data in the NGA table. I believe that the answer may be in understanding MGRS, UTM & JOG. Up to now I have only found one document which has been helpful, http://www.nps.gov. Any suggestions? Right now we are dealing with data from Thailand, but eventually will be dealing with many parts of the world. I need to be familiar with the application of this kind of data world wide.
A: Another source of information about grid reference systems is the web site of NGA's Geospatial Sciences Center. Specifically, the following site has much useful information: NGA's Geospatial Sciences Center: Geospatial Sciences Publications
Q: All I want are the geographic coordinates for Hope Town, Bahamas. Is there a simple query form to request this information? The many links you offer don't seem to get me to this basic bit of information.
A: Select the button labeled GNS Search on the left hand menu. This will lead you to the query screens.
Q: Hi, I'm looking for a list a place names. I've found your lists at http://www.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html and they are exactly what I want. However, I do not see any information about copy-right and licensing etc. I need to be certain what, if any, restrictions apply to the use of this data. --- or --- We are interested in exploring the possibility of adding content from geonames files to our existing geographical databases. Can we proceed to download and use files? Is there a cost for this and are there restrictions on the use to which we can put the data?
A: There is no problem in making the geographic names data freely available. A suitable citation note is:
Toponymic information is based on the Geographic Names Data Base, containing official standard names approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names and maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. More information is available at the Maps and Geodata link at www.nga.mil. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency name, initials, and seal are protected by 10 United States Code Section §445.
Q: Can you please explain to me what the FC letters in your GIS Output mean or stand for?
A:
Feature Classification (FC):
- A = Administrative region class feature
- H = Hydrographic class feature
- T = Hypsographic class feature
- L = Locality or area class feature
- P = Populated place class feature
- S = Spot class feature
- R = Streets, highways, roads, or railroad class feature
- U = Undersea class feature
- V = Vegetation class feature
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Filtering Data
Q: My name is (name removed) and I work for (company name removed) Airlines. I have looked at the data you provided on your website: http://www.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html. The data is very interesting. But I have some questions on how I can filter out the data. I am trying to get a list of all world cities (big or small) with their longitude and latitude. I am finding that multiple cities have multiple coordinates. I am wondering what fields I should be looking to get one instance for each city.
A: If I understood your question correctly, what you're seeing is a list of names for a single city. If you look at the Name Type (NT) field, this would have values of C, N, D, or V. An N type name would be the native name in the native pronunciation of the country in question and a V type name indicates an alternate spelling for the same place. You may want to limit your query to N type names and see if you get your desired results.
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Adding Names
Q: I am from South Africa and would like to know if you can add a name to your database. The name that I wish to add is REJUAN and it's meaning is as follows: The name JUAN is Spanish for JOHN, JOHN means "Jehovah is Gracious" (meaning grace received from God for the person/name John) REJUAN is an act of faith in response to God's Grace. This name is a new creation as a dedication to God FROM whom the gracious gift was received. Therefore the meaning is : REJUAN = DEDICATED TO GOD. Would it be possible to add this name in your database, I would assume in your Spanish and South African files. Please let me know if you have a problem with this name or it's meaning.
A: Thank you for your interest in our geographic names data base. Our data base contains only names of actual geographical features as depicted in maps, atlases, etc. We are not able to add names that are new creations, and that do not refer to actual places.
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Finding Discrepancies
Q: To Whom It May Concern: I would greatly appreciate your help in this matter. I’ve downloaded the files from the “Names Files of Selected Countries” webpage at namefiles. I’ve also downloaded the files from the “FIPS10-4 Publication and Change Notices” from fips_files. After importing all the Names Files into a single “Features” database table, and importing the FIPS10-4 pub and processing all the change notices, I’m left with some substantial discrepancies. Namely, I have Feature records that don’t have administrative codes listed in the FIPS10-4 pub. Below is a list of all the Feature codes (primary_country_code+ADM1) that do not have a corresponding entry in the FIPS10-4 data. There are over 533,000 records represented in this list *.
* Example of Feature records with no administrative code listed in FIPS10-4
| Code | # Records |
| AF04 | 61 |
| AF12 | 112 |
| AF25 | 55 |
| ... | ... |
| WA40 | 731 |
| WE02 | 1 |
Can you please answer these questions:
- Is the data for download at Country Files the most up to date data available?
- I believe the crux of my problem to be that the FIPS10-4 pub is more recent than the downloaded data. However, there are several countries for whom no FIPS10-4 Change Notices exist, and yet these countries have the discrepancy problem that I’m referring to (Countries such as Spain). Can you explain this?
A: You are correct in noting that the FIPS 10 change notices are more up-to-date than the geographic names files. Resource constraints prevent the timely updating of records in the Geographic Names Database to reflect changes in a country's administrative structure. We are exploring ways to help us automate the process. The files posted at the GEOnet Names Server are the most current versions available. Thanks for your interest in our toponymic information; don't hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.
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I Can't Find...
Q: Looking for sunrise/sunset and moon phase data...
A: Head over to the U.S. Naval Observatory web site and look under Data Services (Astronomical Applications Department).
Q: How can I find the exact coordinates of a city to the second (not 00") ?
A: Most of our database is to the minute. As time and resources permit, we do update the database to the seconds.
Q: Where can I find the longitude and latitude of the major cities in China?
A: You can find the major cities by selecting PPLA and PPLC in your GNS search selection categories.
Q: To Whom It May Concern, I'm looking to find the coordinates of a place called Pityluh Island, New Guinea. I can't find it on the Gazetteer Search and I'm thinking it probably has another name. Can you help me?
A: The island you are looking for is probably: Pityilu Island: 01° 57' 00" S, 147° 13' 00" E. If you try the gazetteer search again, entering pityilu, you will get the correct record. Select the record when it appears in the query response, and the numerous variant names for the feature will appear.
Q: Hi. I've tried entering some very common US place names into your database ("Puget," "Rainier," "Seattle"), but I keep getting "No records were found matching your criteria" as a response from my search. Any suggestions?
A: The GEOnet Names Server contains non-US place names data. For US place names data, please try the USGS database.
Q: I am trying to locate a Topographic map of Dominica, scale 1:50,000, relief show by contours, etc. Please advise.
A:NGA Topographic maps releasable to the public may be ordered from the US Geological Survey. Information may be obtained from the USGS Branch of Information Services, 1-800-435-7627 or 1-303-202-4700. Website: USGS Other maps may be obtained from the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. Website: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/ View the NGA Products and Services Available to the General Public brochure [ HTML - PDF* ] * PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format) - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.
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Products and Services
Q: What do we do to find an island when there is no country associated with it?
A: All features represented in the GEOnet Names Server are associated with a geopolitical entity for purposes of data organization. This association does not imply recognition of political status. You could try querying without specifying a country.
Q: Can I purchase maps and charts off your website?
A: Maps and charts are not available for purchase at our web site. We suggest you contact the US Government Printing Office for assistance in ordering charts. Please note the following: "As of 1 October 2000, the public sale of all new editions of NGA nautical publications was transferred to the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) for both wholesale and retail purposes. All subsequent wholesale agreements for NGA nautical publications must be established with the GPO Superintendent of Documents (GPO SuDocs). Publications may be ordered any time through the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov or by Fax at (202) 521-2250, or by telephone Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET at (202) 512-1800. Mail orders including payment are sent to: U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-1954
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