Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Place Names Ontologies
Željka Jakir, Željko Hećimović, Zvonko Štefan
1
1
Croatian Geodetic Institute,
Savska 41/XVI, 10144 Zagreb, P.P. 19
croatiazeljka.jakir@cgi.hr, zeljko.hecimovic@cgi.hr, zvonko.stefan@cgi.hr
Abstract
In this article is discussed possibility of development of place name
(toponyms) ontologies as knowledge background for building semantic
web. Place name is complex object. Place name conceptual domain
ontology approach is discussed as possibility to develop platform for
Semantic Web and better Internet interactions. Elements of global
ontology and domain oriented ontologies are discussed on the examples of
UNGEGN World Geographical Names Database, EuroGeoNames
(INSPIRE) European infrastructure of geographical names and Croatian
experiences. Influence of ISO/TC 211 geographic information ontology
standards on standardization of geographical names is discussed. The main
relationships between place name ontological objects are defined.
Examples are given for: functional, inverse functional, transitive,
symmetrical, antisymmetric, reflexive and irreflexive relationships. The
ISO/TC 211 geographic information standards, INSPIRE and
EuroGeoNames are also using UML schema as object oriented semantics
in description of the place name model.
1- Introduction
Place name or toponym is defined by United Nations Group of Experts on
Geographical Names (UNGEGN) as proper noun applied to a portion of
the surface of Earth or of any other planet or satellite that has recognizable
