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 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 Cape Charles: 2390767
GNIS ID for Northampton County: 1480151
GNIS ID for Virginia: 1779803
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 Cape Charles:
| Place (Community) Code: | 12808 |
| State Code: | 51 (Virginia) |
| County Code: | 131 (Northampton 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: | 51/12808 |
| State/County Code: | 51/131 |
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 Virginia: | 51 | 1779803 | |
| Northampton County: | 51/131 | 1480151 | |
| Cape Charles: | 51/12808 | 2390767 |
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 Cape Charles, it is a point within Cape Charles 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 Cape Charles, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 37° 15' 20" (or 37.26°)
Lon: -76° 0' 30" (or -76.01°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Cape Charles - 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 Cape Charles, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 37° 14' 55" (or 37.25°)
Lon: -76° 0' 13" (or -76°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 2,911 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: 37° 16' 3" (or 37.27°)
Lon: -76° 0' 50" (or -76.01°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 7,484 feet to the northwest<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. Cape Charles is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Cape Charles is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Cape Charles is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Cape Charles is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1492707 (Name of Record: Cape Charles)
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: Northampton
Map Name: Cape Charles
Lat: 37.267916 Lon: -76.0174336
Elev: 1 ft.
GNIS ID #2390767 (Name of Record: Town of Cape Charles)
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: Northampton
Map Name: Cape Charles
Lat: 37.2557674 Lon: -76.008494
Elev: 2 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 51/12808 (Place Name: Cape Charles)
County: Northampton (FIPS State/County: 51/131)
Class: C1
Identifies an incorporated place (ie- Cape Charles) that does not serve as a primary county division - or in other words, it is included in and is part of a primary county division (ie- Northampton County).
GSA Code: 400
MRF Code: 205
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Cape Charles: www.capecharles.org/
The official website for Northampton County: www.co.northampton.va.us/
The official website for State of Virginia: https://www.virginia.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)