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 numeric 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 Manitowish Waters: 1568940
GNIS ID for Vilas County: 1581122
GNIS ID for Wisconsin: 1779806
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 Manitowish Waters:
| Place (Community) Code: | 48475 |
| State Code: | 55 (Wisconsin) |
| County Code: | 125 (Vilas 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: | 55/48475 |
| State/County Code: | 55/125 |
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 Wisconsin: | 55 | 1779806 | |
| Vilas County: | 55/125 | 1581122 | |
| Manitowish Waters: | 55/48475 | 1568940 |
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 Manitowish Waters, it is a point within Manitowish Waters 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 Manitowish Waters, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 46° 8' 5" (or 46.13°)
Lon: -89° 53' 15" (or -89.89°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Manitowish Waters is located in Region #2 (the Midwest Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Manitowish Waters is located in Division #3 (the East North-Central Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Manitowish Waters is located in Region V (Region 5).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Manitowish Waters is located in Region V (Region 5).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1568940 (Name of Record: Manitowish Waters)
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: Vilas
Map Name: Winchester
Lat: 46.1349492 Lon: -89.8876584
Elev: 494 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 55/48475 (Place Name: Manitowish Waters)
County: Vilas (FIPS State/County: 55/125)
Class: U6
Identifies a populated place (ie- Manitowish Waters) 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: 2809
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Manitowish Waters: www.mwtown.org/
The official website for Vilas County: www.co.vilas.wi.us/
The official website for State of Wisconsin: https://www.wisconsin.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)