Miscellaneous Information
Various Identification Codes ...
GNIS Codes ...
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) was created to address the problems caused by spelling and naming variations. The BGN will usually recognize an existing name or, when necessary, establish a new name for a geographic feature (such as a mountain, lake, river, stream, city, town, village, dam, bridge, etc).
The BGN names are kept in a database called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and it is the official Federal repository. The GNIS is operated and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
A unique and permanent code has been assigned for each name in the GNIS database. These names and identifiers are definitive and it is intended that they are to be used by all departments of the Federal Government:
GNIS ID for Mountain Lake Park: 2391319
GNIS ID for Garrett County: 1711058
GNIS ID for Maryland: 1714934
FIPS Codes ...
In a past effort, various federal agencies created a set of codes with a purpose similar to the GNIS codes. These codes are called the Federal Information Processing Standard (or the FIPS 55 codes). Although they are still used by some organizations, the FIPS codes are obsolete and will ultimately be replaced by the GNIS codes.
The following FIPS codes apply to Mountain Lake Park:
| Place (Community) Code: | 53800 |
| State Code: | 24 (Maryland) |
| County Code: | 023 (Garrett County) |
Since the Place and County FIPS codes are not unique and can be repeated in other States, it's necessary to combine the State code with the Place and County FIPS codes to uniquely identify them - for example:
| State/Place Code: | 24/53800 |
| State/County Code: | 24/023 |
As already mentioned, the FIPS codes are to be replaced by the GNIS codes. The following reflect those changes:
| FIPS Code | translates to | GNIS Code | |
| State of Maryland: | 24 | 1714934 | |
| Garrett County: | 24/023 | 1711058 | |
| Mountain Lake Park: | 24/53800 | 2391319 |
GPS Location - GNIS vs Census ...
An important aspect of the GNIS code is that it assigns a GPS location (the latitude/longitude) to the geographic feature. This location is simply a point on the map and does not represent the size or shape of the feature. In the case of Mountain Lake Park, it is a point within Mountain Lake Park that might be a post office, the city hall or simply an intersection - the point should really be considered arbitrary and only indicating a general location.
For Mountain Lake Park, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 39° 24' 13" (or 39.4°)
Lon: -79° 22' 45" (or -79.38°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Mountain Lake Park - this area also contains a map point. As with the GNIS code, the location of the Census point should be considered as being arbitrary within the sampling area.
For Mountain Lake Park, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 39° 24' 0" (or 39.4°)
Lon: -79° 22' 51" (or -79.38°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 1,441 feet to the south<1> of the point given by the GNIS (see above).
You might note that the GPS location given for the 2010 Census is different than the location that was specified by the 2000 Census:
Lat: 39° 24' 1" (or 39.4°)
Lon: -79° 22' 54" (or -79.38°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 294.8 feet to the northwest<2> of the point given by the 2010 Census.
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Mountain Lake Park is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Mountain Lake Park is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Mountain Lake Park is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Mountain Lake Park is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #590854 (Name of Record: Mountain Lake Park)
Class: populated place
A place or area having clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent population (such as a city, settlement, town or village). The boundaries may or may not coincide with the perceived population.
A 'populated place' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'civil' record. The information contained in the 'populated place' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'civil' classes.
County: Garrett
Map Name: Oakland
Lat: 39.3984308 Lon: -79.3817107
Elev: 748 ft.
GNIS ID #2391319 (Name of Record: Town of Mountain Lake Park)
Class: civil
A political division formed for administrative purposes (such as a borough, county, incorporated place, parish, town or township).
A 'civil' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'populated place' record. The information contained in the 'civil' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'populated place' classes.
County: Garrett
Map Name: Oakland
Lat: 39.403757 Lon: -79.379273
Elev: 753 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 24/53800 (Place Name: Mountain Lake Park)
County: Garrett (FIPS State/County: 24/023)
Class: C1
Identifies an incorporated place (ie- Mountain Lake Park) that does not serve as a primary county division - or in other words, it is included in and is part of a primary county division (ie- Garrett County).
GSA Code: 1040
MRF Code: 640
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Mountain Lake Park. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Garrett County: www.co.garrett.md.us/
The official website for State of Maryland: www.maryland.gov/
The official website of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
The official website of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
The official website of the U.S. Census Bureau
The official website of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The official website of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)