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, chose 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 numeric 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 Maple Ford: 156655
GNIS ID for Marshall County: 161574
GNIS ID for Alabama: 1779775
FIPS Codes ...
In a past effort, various federal agencies worked together to create 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 Maple Ford:
| Place (Community) Code: | 46465 |
| State Code: | 01 (Alabama) |
| County Code: | 095 (Marshall 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: | 01/46465 |
| State/County Code: | 01/095 |
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 Alabama: | 01 | 1779775 | |
| Marshall County: | 01/095 | 161574 | |
| Maple Ford: | 01/46465 | 156655 |
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 Maple Ford, it is a point within Maple Ford 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 Maple Ford, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 34° 33' 48" (or 34.56°)
Lon: -86° 18' 38" (or -86.31°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Maple Ford is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Maple Ford is located in Division #6 (the East South-Central Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Maple Ford is located in Region IV (Region 4).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Maple Ford is located in Region IV (Region 4).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #156655 (Name of Record: Maple Ford)
Class: crossing
County: Marshall
Map Name: Grant
Lat: 34.5634215 Lon: -86.3108178
Elev: 173 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 01/46465 (Place Name: Maple Ford)
County: Marshall (FIPS State/County: 01/095)
Class: U6
Identifies a populated place (ie- Maple Ford) 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).
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Maple Ford. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Marshall County: www.marshallco.org/www/
The official website for State of Alabama: https://www.alabama.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)