Key:gnis:feature id: Difference between revisions
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A GNIS feature ID is a permanent, unique identifier for a feature in the [[USGS GNIS|Geographic Names Information Service]] (GNIS) database. GNIS is the U.S. federal government's authoritative gazetteer. It contains an entry for each named place or point of interest recognized by the [[w:United States Board on Geographic Names|U.S. Board on Geographic Names]] within U.S. territory, based on submissions from federal, state, and local government agencies as well as from the general public through [https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/tnm-corps The National Map Corps]. |
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This tag holds a unique identifier from the USA Federal Geographic Names Information Service ([[GNIS]]). As documented at [http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/ http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/]: |
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==Rationale== |
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: ''The database assigns a unique, permanent feature identifier, the Feature ID, as the only 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... Any person or organization, public or private, may make inquiries or request the Board to render formal decisions on proposed new names, proposed name changes, or names that are in conflict.'' |
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GNIS feature IDs are an [[w:American National Standards Institute|ANSI]] national standard and [[w:International Committee for Information Technology Standards|INCITS]] industry standard and officially superseded the previous system of [[FIPS]] codes in 2008. [https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-systems/ngp/board-on-geographic-names/domestic-names] |
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Most uses of this tag and its synonyms were introduced as part of the [[USGS GNIS|GNIS]] import in 2009. Unlike other imported tags such as {{tag|gnis:created}} and {{tag|gnis:import_uuid}}, {{tag|gnis:feature_id}} is meaningful beyond the import. In fact, some mappers actively add {{tag|gnis:feature_id}} to features to cite a verifiable source for the POI's existence or its name. |
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Best practice is to copy this tag to new geometry that represents the same feature. Please do not remove this tag from an object without understanding the implications. If the real-world object no longer exists, then delete the OSM object including the identifier. For an overview of dealing with GNIS tagging, see [[GNIS]]. |
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==Managing existing tags== |
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When converting a GNIS POI to a landuse or building area, copy the {{tag|gnis:feature_id}} tag to the new area to preserve the link to external details. |
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If a local POI has moved, you can use [https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:1:0::NO::: look up the feature ID] to find its current coordinates. |
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Some local POIs may no longer correspond to a real-world facility, because there is no automated process for synchronizing OSM with the GNIS database after the initial import in 2009. Moreover, since October 2014, the USGS no longer actively updates local POIs in GNIS apart from changes submitted through The National Map Corps. If a real-world POI has been demolished, delete the POI from OSM including the {{tag|gnis:feature_id}} tag. |
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If a facility has closed or been repurposed but the building still stands, the GNIS feature ID remains valid, so it is acceptable (but less important) to leave the {{tag|gnis:feature_id}} tag in place. (Some old schools, firehouses, and covered bridges have landed on national or state registers of historic buildings, which you can indicate using {{tag|heritage}} tags.) |
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==Finding a feature ID== |
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Use the [https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:1:0::NO::: GNIS domestic query form] to find the entry for a particular place or local POI. |
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Alternatively, you can search for parks in [[d:Special:Search|Wikidata]]. Most GNIS park features are included in Wikidata and tagged with a [[d:Property:P590|P590 <small>(GNIS ID)</small>]] statement. You can also indicate the Wikidata identifier itself using the {{tag|wikidata}} key. |
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== Synonyms == |
== Synonyms == |
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Revision as of 23:54, 8 December 2019
 gnis:feature_id
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| Description |
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Identifier from the United States Board on Geographic Names 
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| URL pattern |
| https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=haswbstatement%3A%22P590%3D$1%22&ns0=1&ns120=1 |
| Used on these elements |
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| Useful combination |
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| Status: de facto |
| Tools for this tag |
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A GNIS feature ID is a permanent, unique identifier for a feature in the Geographic Names Information Service (GNIS) database. GNIS is the U.S. federal government's authoritative gazetteer. It contains an entry for each named place or point of interest recognized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within U.S. territory, based on submissions from federal, state, and local government agencies as well as from the general public through The National Map Corps.
Rationale
GNIS feature IDs are an ANSI national standard and INCITS industry standard and officially superseded the previous system of FIPS codes in 2008. [1]
Most uses of this tag and its synonyms were introduced as part of the GNIS import in 2009. Unlike other imported tags such as gnis:created=* and gnis:import_uuid=*, gnis:feature_id=* is meaningful beyond the import. In fact, some mappers actively add gnis:feature_id=* to features to cite a verifiable source for the POI's existence or its name.
Managing existing tags
When converting a GNIS POI to a landuse or building area, copy the gnis:feature_id=* tag to the new area to preserve the link to external details.
If a local POI has moved, you can use look up the feature ID to find its current coordinates.
Some local POIs may no longer correspond to a real-world facility, because there is no automated process for synchronizing OSM with the GNIS database after the initial import in 2009. Moreover, since October 2014, the USGS no longer actively updates local POIs in GNIS apart from changes submitted through The National Map Corps. If a real-world POI has been demolished, delete the POI from OSM including the gnis:feature_id=* tag.
If a facility has closed or been repurposed but the building still stands, the GNIS feature ID remains valid, so it is acceptable (but less important) to leave the gnis:feature_id=* tag in place. (Some old schools, firehouses, and covered bridges have landed on national or state registers of historic buildings, which you can indicate using heritage=* tags.)
Finding a feature ID
Use the GNIS domestic query form to find the entry for a particular place or local POI.
Alternatively, you can search for parks in Wikidata. Most GNIS park features are included in Wikidata and tagged with a P590 (GNIS ID) statement. You can also indicate the Wikidata identifier itself using the wikidata=* key.
Synonyms
| Tag | Remarks | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| gnis:id=* | some of these came from a 2007 import of populated places, some came from NHD imports | |
| tiger:PLACENS=* | from a 2009 import of TIGER places | |
| NHD:GNIS_ID=* | NHD imports in some states | |
| nhd:gnis_id=* | NHD imports in some states | |
| ref:gnis=* | Encouraged by some JOSM relation templates |