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 Sterling: 213512
GNIS ID for Windham County: 212801
GNIS ID for Connecticut: 1779780
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 Sterling:
| Place (Community) Code: | 73420 |
| State Code: | 09 (Connecticut) |
| County Code: | 015 (Windham 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: | 09/73420 |
| State/County Code: | 09/015 |
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 Connecticut: | 09 | 1779780 | |
| Windham County: | 09/015 | 212801 | |
| Sterling: | 09/73420 | 213512 |
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 Sterling, it is a point within Sterling 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 Sterling, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 41° 42' 8" (or 41.7°)
Lon: -71° 48' 59" (or -71.82°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Sterling - 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 Sterling, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 41° 42' 4" (or 41.7°)
Lon: -71° 48' 57" (or -71.82°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 428.3 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: 41° 42' 54" (or 41.72°)
Lon: -71° 48' 54" (or -71.82°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 5,109 feet to the north<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. Sterling is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Sterling is located in Division #1 (the New England Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Sterling is located in Region I (Region 1).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Sterling is located in Region I (Region 1).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #213512 (Name of Record: Town of Sterling)
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: Windham
Map Name: Oneco
Lat: 41.7023213 Lon: -71.8164594
Elev: 117 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 09/73420 (Place Name: Sterling (Town of))
County: Windham (FIPS State/County: 09/015)
Class: T1
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Sterling. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for State of Connecticut: https://portal.ct.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)