Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Feature Layers

ISO-19139 Metadata

Metadata Information

Metadata character set: utf8

Last update:

Metadata contact:

Scope of the data described by the metadata: dataset

Scope name: dataset

Name of the metadata standard used: ISO 19139 Geographic Information - Metadata - Implementation Specification

Version of the metadata standard: 2007

Metadata identifier: 5091b822ad3e47f3b6bc5bc275fb3c22

Data Identification Information

Resource citation:

Title: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Feature Layers

Date:

Reference date - creation: 2024-04-16T14:49:33

Date:

Reference date - revision: 2025-03-20T19:50:39

Descriptive keywords:

Keyword type not provided

Keywords: a-16, ngda, cultural resource, geographic name, GNIS, BGN, gazetteer, federal, administrative, toponym, feature id, historical, community, hydro, landform, cemetery, place, structure, transportation, variant, United States, WMS

Abstract: USGS developed The National Map Gazetteer as the Federal and national standard (ANSI INCITS 446-2008) for geographic nomenclature based on the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The National Map Gazetteer contains information about physical and cultural geographic features, geographic areas, and locational entities that are generally recognizable and locatable by name (have achieved some landmark status) and are of interest to any level of government or to the public for any purpose that would lead to the representation of the feature in printed or electronic maps and/or geographic information systems. The dataset includes features of all types in the United States, its associated areas, and Antarctica, current and historical, but not including roads and highways. The dataset holds the federally recognized name of each feature and defines the feature location by state, county, USGS topographic map, and geographic coordinates. Other attributes include names or spellings other than the official name, feature classification, and historical and descriptive information. The dataset assigns a unique, permanent feature identifier, the Feature ID, as a standard Federal key for accessing, integrating, or reconciling feature data from multiple data sets. This dataset is a flat model, establishing no relationships between features, such as hierarchical, spatial, jurisdictional, organizational, administrative, or in any other manner. As an integral part of The National Map, the Gazetteer collects data from a broad program of partnerships with federal, state, and local government agencies and other authorized contributors. The Gazetteer provides data to all levels of government and to the public, as well as to numerous applications through a web query site, web map, feature and XML services, file download services, and customized files upon request. The National Map download client allows free downloads of public domain geographic names data by state in a pipe-delimited text format. For additional information on the GNIS, go to https://www.usgs.gov/tools/geographic-names-information-system-gnis. See https://apps.nationalmap.gov/help/ for assistance with The National Map viewer, download client, services, or metadata.  Data Refreshed March, 2025

Purpose: The National Map Gazetteer is the federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature based on the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)

Dataset language:

Dataset character set: utf8

Resource constraints:

General constraints:

Limitations of use: None (Public Domain Information)

Resource extent:

Credits: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Reference System Information

Reference system identifier:

Value: 102100

Code space: EPSG

Distribution Information

Distribution format:

Format name: Map Service

Format version:

Transfer options:

Online distribution information:

Online location: https://carto.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/geonames/MapServer/