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 Rotonda West: 289988

GNIS ID for Charlotte County: 295742

GNIS ID for Florida: 294478

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 Rotonda West:

Place (Community) Code:	61950
State Code:	12 (Florida)
County Code:	015 (Charlotte 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:	12/61950
State/County Code:	12/015

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 Florida:	12		294478
Charlotte County:	12/015		295742
Rotonda West:	12/61950		289988

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 Rotonda West, it is a point within Rotonda West 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 Rotonda West, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   26° 53' 1"   (or 26.88°)

Lon:   -82° 17' 24"   (or -82.29°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Rotonda West is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Rotonda West is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Rotonda West is located in Region IV (Region 4).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Rotonda West is located in Region IV (Region 4).

ZIP Codes ...

While some people have used a ZIP code to identify a community, the purpose of the ZIP code was to make mail delivery more efficient by grouping addresses together. Although the ZIP Code doesn't specifically identify a community like Rotonda West, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Rotonda West. It's important to remember that the boundaries of a ZIP Code are defined by the needs of the USPS and can be changed, re-assigned or overlapped with other ZIP Codes.

The ZIP code for Rotonda West: 33947<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #289988   (Name of Record: Rotonda)

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: Charlotte

Map Name: Englewood

Lat: 26.8836752       Lon: -82.2900944  

Elev: 3 ft.

GNIS ID #300314   (Name of Record: Rotunda-West)

Class: populated place

County: Charlotte

Map Name: Placida

Lat: 26.8578429       Lon: -82.2948169  

Elev: 1 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 12/61937   (Place Name: Rotonda)

County: Charlotte     (FIPS State/County: 12/015)

Class: U1

MRF Code: 1862

MSA Code: 6580

FIPS Code: 12/61950   (Place Name: Rotonda West)

County: Charlotte     (FIPS State/County: 12/015)

Class: U8

Identifies a populated place (in this case, Rotonda West) located wholly or substantially outside the boundaries of an incorporated place or CDP (Census Designated Place) but whose name has not been verified as authoritative by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

GSA Code: 2672

MSA Code: 6580

Off-the-Road Links ...

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Rotonda West. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Charlotte County: www.charlottecountyfl.com/

The official website for State of Florida: www.myflorida.com/

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)