This is a point feature class of named places and features in Illinois. It includes place name, location, and general feature type. There are many general feature types, for example, Populated Place, Hospital, Post Office, Reservoir, Airport, Cemetery, and School. Refer to the Overview Description of the Entity and Attributes section for a complete list.
The spatial reference is the Geographic Coordinate system (longitude and latitude). The GNIS metadata fails to specify a datum for the longitude/latitude values. This is not significant because the locations are extremely generalized. However, to make the data work in ArcGIS, the ISGS arbitrarily assigned the NAD83 datum to the data.
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is the Federal standard for geographic nomenclature. The U.S. Geological Survey developed the GNIS for the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, a Federal inter-agency body chartered by public law to maintain uniform feature name usage throughout the Government and to promulgate standard names to the public. The GNIS is the official repository of domestic geographic names data; the official vehicle for geographic names use by all departments of the Federal Government; and the source for applying geographic names to Federal electronic and printed products of all types. See <http://geonames.usgs.gov> for additional information.
The original metadata file is included as a binary attachment to the XML version of this metadata document and also as a file named Orig_USGS_metadata.txt. The attribute definitions in the original metadata did not match the fields actually present in the data, but the mapping from metadata field name to actual field name was more or less obvious.
U.S. Geological Survey, 19810501, U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) - Illinois Portion: ISGS GIS Database GISDB.IL_GNIS_2006_Pt, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.00028. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00028. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees.
The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
| Formal codeset | |
|---|---|
| Codeset Name: | Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas |
| Codeset Source: | Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 5-2, Codes For The Identification Of The States, The District Of Columbia And The Outlying Areas Of The United States, And Associated Areas |
| Formal codeset | |
|---|---|
| Codeset Name: | Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas |
| Codeset Source: | Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 6-4, Counties And Equivalent Entities Of The United States, Its Possessions, And Associated Areas |
| Formal codeset | |
|---|---|
| Codeset Name: | The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) |
| Codeset Source: | The official database of names assigned to standard USGS products according to USGS policy and procedures, including standard 7.5x7.5 degree quadrangle maps and digital products. Geographic Names Project, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523 (gnis_manager@usgs.gov) |
Coordinates defining the features.
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Coordinates defining the features.
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 9,999,999,999 |
| Formal codeset | |
|---|---|
| Codeset Name: | Feature class values and definitions for the Geographic Names Information System (http:\\geonames.usgs.gov) |
| Codeset Source: | Geographic Names Project, USGS, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523 (gnis_manager@usgs.gov) |
Airport Arch Area Bar Basin Bay Beach Bend Bridge Building Canal Cape Cemetery Channel Church Civil Cliff Crossing Dam Falls Flat Forest Gap Gut Harbor Hospital Island Lake Levee Locale Military (Historical) Mine Oilfield Park Pillar Plain Populated Place Post Office Range Rapids Reserve Reservoir Ridge School Spring Stream Summit Swamp Tower Trail Valley Well Woods
The Geographic Names Information System was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
The Geographic Names Information System contains information about physical and cultural geographic features of all types in the United States, associated areas, and Antarctica, current and historical, but not including roads and highways. The database 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 designations, feature classification, historical and descriptive information, and for some categories the geometric boundaries. The database 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. The GNIS collects data from a broad program of partnerships with Federal, State, and local government agencies and other authorized contributors. The GNIS provides data to all levels of government and to the public, as well as to numerous applications through a web query site, web map and feature services, file download services, and customized files upon request.
U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, 1:24,000-scale topographic maps: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished material, Records of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
U.S. Forest Service, Unknown, U.S. Forest Service 1:24,000-scale topographic maps and visitor maps.
National Ocean Service (NOS), Unknown, National Ocean Service charts.
The State Names Authorities, Council of Geographic Names Authorities (COGNA), U.S. Forest Service, National Ocean Service (NOS), National Park Service (NPS), Other Federal, state and local agencies, and Public, Unknown, Unknown.
US Board on Geographic Names, 20060719, IL_DECI.zip.Online Links:
Person who carried out this activity:
703 648 4544 (voice)
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Person who carried out this activity:
703 648 4544 (voice)
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
Person who carried out this activity:
703 648 4552 (voice)
lyost@usgs.gov
Person who carried out this activity:
703 648 4544 (voice)
gnis_manager@usgs.gov
The comma-delimited text file was loaded into ArcMap and displayed as an XY Event Theme based on the fields Primary_lon_dec and Primary_lat_dec. NAD83 was assumed.
The event theme was exported to a personal geodatabase feature class. Eight obviously erroneous points falling far outside Illinois were deleted. Points falling outside Illinois but relatively close to the Illinois state boundary were retained.
The personal geodatabase feature class was imported into ArcSDE and analyzed.
The GNIS metadata was downloaded from <http://geonames.usgs.gov/docs/metadata/gnis.txt> and updated with ISGS-specific information. The original metadata file is included as a binary attachment to the XML version of this metadata document. The attribute definitions in the original metadata did not match the fields actually present in the data, but the mapping from metadata field name to actual field name was more or less obvious.
Person who carried out this activity:
U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, Geodata.gov, Geospatial One-Stop.Online Links:
U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, The National Map.Online Links:
U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, The National Atlas.Online Links:
U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, The National Hydrography Dataset.Online Links:
National Geospatial Agency (NGA), Unknown, GEOnet Names Server.Online Links:
U.S. Census Bureau, Unknown, LandView.Online Links:
, University of Illinois Web Privacy Notice.Online Links:
During Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10% of the entries in the system were visually verified against the compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure an accuracy rate of at least 95%. Subsequent data compilation and input processes ensure accuracy with programmed validation checks for format and content, visual examination, and spot checks of data.
Accuracy of these digital data is based upon the use of printed or electronic source graphics which are compiled to meet National Map Accuracy Standards. Comparison to the graphic source is used as control to assess digital positional accuracy.
The data points are limited to Illinois. Here is the statement that was included with the GNIS metadata.
This dataset contains information about United States physical and cultural geographic features of all types and classes, with the exception of most roads and highways. Subsequent to the original data compilation process, which was taken primarily from Federal maps, the GNIS has become dependent on input from Federal, State, county, and local government agencies and other approved sources. The completeness, currency, and accuracy of the data varies by area depending on the quality and timeliness of that input. Accordingly, the Geographic Names Project actively seeks to expand partnerships with Government agencies at all levels and other interested organizations. The latest tools and methodologies are being applied, including web map and feature services, and joint or linked web applications, to ensure that local data are properly represented in the GNIS and through the GNIS to all Federal agencies and to the public. Feature additions or corrections are accepted for consideration from any source, and when validated by appropriate agencies, will be entered into the database. Local and State agencies are encouraged to submit data and to participate in the GNIS partnership program. Non-government organizations with valuable data are considered on a case basis. Authorized partners have access to web based transaction entry and edit forms, which submit data directly to the GNIS for review and inclusion in the database. Partners also submit batch files in most standard formats, and coordinate with the Geographic Names Project to develop joint services, processes, and applications for greatest efficiency. Data entered into the GNIS immediately is available to all web services and applications dependent on it. For additional information or to request user accounts for entry and edit of production data and web seminar training, contact gnis_manager@usgs.gov.
During Phase I data compilation, a random sample of 10% of the entries in the system were visually verified against the compilation source data (large-scale USGS topographic maps) to ensure logical consistency of locative references (geographic coordinates, topographic map, and county. Subsequent data compilation and input processes include programmed validation checks for logical consistency, visual examination, and spot checks of data.
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: None
- Use_Constraints:
- None. Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data.
217-333-4747 (voice)
isgs@isgs.illinois.edu
Refer to the Legal Notices of Terms and Conditions of the University of Illinois Web Privacy Policy (there is a link in the Cross References section) for policy statements regarding the following:Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Warranties and Accuracy of Data Disclaimer of Endorsement Disclaimer for External Links Disclaimer of Duty to Continue Provision of Data Security Choice of Law
By obtaining these data you agree to the provisions of the University of Illinois Web Privacy Policy, regardless of the manner in which the information was obtained.
The data are intended for use with GIS software. The ISGS uses ESRI ArcGIS software, however, ESRI formats can be imported into many different GIS software packages. It is expected that customers who obtain these data have the technical expertise to use GIS software. The ISGS does not provide software support of any kind.
Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
Generated by mp version 2.8.25 on Thu Apr 02 09:54:05 2009