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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 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 Willow Island: 1555993

GNIS ID for Pleasants County: 1678557

GNIS ID for West Virginia: 1779805

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 Willow Island:

Place (Community) Code:  87628
State Code:  54 (West Virginia)
County Code:  073 (Pleasants 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:  54/87628
State/County Code:  54/073

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 West Virginia:    54   1779805
Pleasants County:    54/073   1678557
Willow Island:    54/87628   1555993

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 Willow Island, it is a point within Willow Island 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 Willow Island, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   39° 21' 30"   (or 39.36°)

Lon:   -81° 18' 29"   (or -81.31°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Willow Island is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Willow Island is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Willow Island is located in Region III (Region 3).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Willow Island is located in Region III (Region 3).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1555993   (Name of Record: Willow Island)

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: Pleasants

Map Name: Willow Island

Lat: 39.3584083       Lon: -81.3081715  

Elev: 195 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 54/87628   (Place Name: Willow Island)

County: Pleasants     (FIPS State/County: 54/073)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Willow Island) 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: 2882

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

The official website for State of West Virginia: https://www.wv.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)










 

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This page was last modified/updated: 25 Nov 2024