Geographic Names Thesaurus

Geographic Names is an alphabetical and hierarchical list of geographic location terms used in ICPSR's metadata records. The points below describe the structure and logic of the list:

• Non-preferred terms are italicized and indicate (with Preferred Term notation) the appropriate term to apply.

  Examples:

  • USA
  • Preferred Term: United States
  
  
  • United States
  • Non-Preferred Term: USA
• The hierarchy, expressed as broader term/narrower term is structured to (potentially) indicate a region-continent-country-state/province-city continuum.

  Examples:

  • Netherlands
  • BROADER TERM(S): Europe
  • NARROWER TERM(S): Amsterdam

  Examples:

  • North America
  • NARROWER TERM(S):
    • United States
    • Michigan
    • Ann Arbor

  Examples:

  • Tokyo
  • BROADER TERM(S):
    • Asia
    • Japan

  While regional, continent, and country names are included in the current list, state/province and city names are included on the basis of their occurrence in ICPSR-archived data sets. These will continue to be added as needed.

• Sub-regional geographic designations (such Middle East, Southeast Asia) are also included with their associated country names listed as related terms

  Examples:

  • Southeast Asia
  • RELATED TERM(S):
    • Asia
    • Cambodia
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Myanmar
    • Philippines
    • Singapore
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
• Descriptions are used to delineate the geographic coverage of a region or sub-region. Additionally, they are used to indicate historic context in cases of country name changes. In such cases, relevant dates are given along with instructions/restrictions on the use of particular country name forms. Open dates (e.g. 1991- ) indicate current context.

  Examples:

  • Uzbekistan
  • Description: Formerly member of USSR; independent 1991- .

  Examples:

  • USSR
  • Description: Use limited to 1922-1991.
  • BROADER TERM(S)
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • RELATED TERM(S)
    • Armenia
    • Azerbaijan
    • Belarus
    • Estonia
    • Georgia (Republic)
    • Kazakhstan
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Latvia
    • Lithuania
    • Moldova
    • Russia
    • Tajikistan
    • Turkmenistan
    • Ukraine
    • Uzbekistan

Literary and historic warrant for the Geographic Regions and Country Names list is established through the following sources:

• Merriam-Webster Geographic Dictionary. 1998. 3rd edition. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
• Random House Webster's College Dictionary. 1999. New York: Random House.