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 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 Smiths Ferry: 1739028
GNIS ID for Southampton County: 1480171
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.
While FIPS codes have been assigned to all counties and states, a specific code has not been assigned to Smiths Ferry. The following FIPS codes apply to the State and County:
| State Code: | 51 (Virginia) |
| County Code: | 175 (Southampton County) |
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 Smiths Ferry, it is a point within Smiths Ferry 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 Smiths Ferry, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 36° 34' 12" (or 36.57°)
Lon: -76° 56' 10" (or -76.94°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Smiths Ferry is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Smiths Ferry is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Smiths Ferry is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Smiths Ferry is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1739028 (Name of Record: Smiths Ferry (historical))
Class: crossing
County: Southampton
Map Name: Riverdale
Lat: 36.570152 Lon: -76.9363501
Elev: 1 ft.
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Smiths Ferry. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Southampton County: www.southamptoncounty.org/
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. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The official website of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)