Vol. 43 No. 4 (1995)
Research Article

Development and Implementation of the National Geographic Names Database

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  • Roger L. Payne
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/nam.1995.43.4.307

Published 1995-12-01

Copyright (c) 1995 Maney

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Abstract

In response to an acknowledged need and growing demand for a relatively complete list of geographic names, numerous attempts were made by governmental agencies and private concerns to develop a reliable, digital geographic names database that would include basic locative and description information for each name. Because of the scope and nature of the project, most users looked to the federal government to develop and maintain such a database. The U. S. Geological Survey, which is responsible for the National Mapping Program and related domestic geographic names activities, agreed to undertake the task of designing, developing and implementing what has become the nation's official automated geographic names repository.

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References

  1. Burrill, Meredith F. 1990. 1890-1990: A Century of Service — United States Board on Geographic Names. Washington, D.C.: U. S. Department of Agriculture.
  2. Orth, Donald J. and Roger L. Payne, 1985. Principles, Policies and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names. Reston, VA: U. S. Geological Survey.
  3. Payne, Roger L. 1987. Geographic Names Information System: Data Users Guide. Reston, VA: U. S. Geological Survey.
  4. Payne, Roger L. 1995. “Geographic Names Activity in the United States of America.” Namenforschung Name Studies Les noms propres. Ernst Eichler, Gerold Hilty, Heinrich Löffler, Hugo Steger and Ladislav Zgusta, eds. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
  5. Randall, Richard R. 1990. United States Board on Geographic Names. Washington, D.C.: Defense Mapping Agency.