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 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 West Bethel: 581258

GNIS ID for Oxford County: 581294

GNIS ID for Maine: 1779787

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 West Bethel:

Place (Community) Code:	81965
State Code:	23 (Maine)
County Code:	017 (Oxford 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:	23/81965
State/County Code:	23/017

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 Maine:	23		1779787
Oxford County:	23/017		581294
West Bethel:	23/81965		581258

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

Lat:   44° 24' 7"   (or 44.4°)

Lon:   -70° 51' 40"   (or -70.86°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. West Bethel is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. West Bethel is located in Division #1 (the New England Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. West Bethel is located in Region I (Region 1).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. West Bethel is located in Region I (Region 1).

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 West Bethel, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) West Bethel. 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 West Bethel: 04286<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #581258   (Name of Record: West Bethel)

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: Oxford

Map Name: Bethel

Lat: 44.4020084       Lon: -70.8611823  

Elev: 207 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 23/81965   (Place Name: West Bethel (RR name Allens))

County: Oxford     (FIPS State/County: 23/017)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- West Bethel) 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: 8982

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Oxford County: www.oxfordcounty.org/

The official website for State of Maine: https://www.maine.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)