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 identifier 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 Chena Hot Springs: 1400199

GNIS ID for Alaska: 1785533

GPS Location - GNIS Coordinates ...

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 Chena Hot Springs, it is a point within Chena Hot Springs 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 Chena Hot Springs, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   65° 3' 11"   (or 65.1°)

Lon:   -146° 3' 20"   (or -146.06°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Chena Hot Springs is located in Region #4 (the West Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Chena Hot Springs is located in Division #9 (the Pacific Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Chena Hot Springs is located in Region X (Region 10).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Chena Hot Springs is located in Region X (Region 10).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1400199   (Name of Record: Chena Hot Springs)

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: Fairbanks North Star

Map Name: Circle A-5

Lat: 65.0530556       Lon: -146.0555556  

Elev: 354 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 02/12900   (Place Name: Chena Hot Springs)

County: Fairbanks North Star     (FIPS State/County: 02/090)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Chena Hot Springs) that is wholly or substantially located outside the boundaries of any incorporated place or CDP (Census Designated Place) that has an authoritative common name recognized by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

GSA Code: 336