Geographic Names Information System

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/geographic-names-information-system

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the data persistence?Entries are permanent and are only removed in cases of obvious duplication
2. What is the supporting information?Includes variant names and bibliographic references confirming feature names
3. Why does GNIS give each place a permanent identifier?The identifier is a unique number that never changes, so anyone can refer to the same place without confusion. It keeps the records stable and reliable.
4. How does GNIS help during emergencies?When a disaster happens, having clear and consistent place names lets emergency teams find the right locations quickly. It speeds up rescue and delivery of supplies.

Gazetteer: An alphabetical list of geographical places with their locations, often including descriptive information.
Nomenclature: The devising or use of a system of names for things, especially in science or geography.
Data Integrity: The maintenance and assurance of the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire life cycle.