Geographic Names Thesaurus

* indicates a non-preferred term, which includes a link to the preferred term

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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.

Terms

Yemen
Yonkers
York
Yoshikawa
Youngstown
Ypsilanti
Yugoslavia*
Yukon Territory
Yuma