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 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 identification number 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 Riverdale Park: 2391392
GNIS ID for Prince George's County: 1714670
GNIS ID for Maryland: 1714934
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 Riverdale Park:
| Place (Community) Code: | 66635 |
| State Code: | 24 (Maryland) |
| County Code: | 033 (Prince George's 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: | 24/66635 |
| State/County Code: | 24/033 |
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 | |
| Prince George's County: | 24/033 | 1714670 | |
| Riverdale Park: | 24/66635 | 2391392 |
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 Riverdale Park, it is a point within Riverdale 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 Riverdale Park, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 38° 57' 52" (or 38.96°)
Lon: -76° 55' 34" (or -76.93°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Riverdale 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 Riverdale Park, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 38° 57' 47" (or 38.96°)
Lon: -76° 55' 31" (or -76.93°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 490.4 feet to the southeast<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: 38° 57' 46" (or 38.96°)
Lon: -76° 55' 46" (or -76.93°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 1,186 feet to the west<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. Riverdale Park is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Riverdale Park is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Riverdale Park is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Riverdale Park is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #597960 (Name of Record: Riverdale 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: Prince George's
Map Name: Washington East
Lat: 38.963444 Lon: -76.9316408
Elev: 12 ft.
GNIS ID #2391392 (Name of Record: Town of Riverdale 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: Prince George's
Map Name: Washington East
Lat: 38.9644724 Lon: -76.926214
Elev: 8 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Riverdale Park: www.ci.riverdale-park.md.us/
The official website for Prince George's County: www.co.pg.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)