Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
1- Background and objectives
Geographical names are assigned to features (objects) to articulate the
space around us, to determine position and orientation in space and to
serve as basis in communication. Geographical names have been develop-
ing during the centuries. Their consistent use is basis for efficient commu-
nication and socio-economic development. Because of development during
the centuries, geographical names reflect historical and cultural develop-
ment of each area, and they are part of the cultural heritage. Geographical
names are defining not only features, but also individuals, groups and
nations. Everyday communication, rescue operations, urban planning,
documents related to space, spatial relations and other everyday activities
contain information about space. Geographical names are one of the most
widely used tools in recognition of the place and orientation in space. For
example, if on the Baška Slab, a first written document with Croatian
name on Croatian language as proof about King Zvonimir's gift of the par-
cel to the St. Lucy church on the island Krk in the year around 1100, did
not write geographical names (Krbava, Lika, Vinodol, ...), it would be very
hard or even impossible to identify persons, spatial relations and link them
with events.
The importance of geographical names, their recording and standardization
are recognized by United Nations (UN). For the purpose of standardization
of geographical names on maps, UN founded
United Nations Group of
Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN)
as a permanent expert body
for standardization of the geographical names.
Standardization of geographical names is defined by UN Resolutions (UN
2009a, 2009b) as activity aiming at the maximum possible uniformity in
the form of geographical name by means of national standardization and/or
international agreement, including the achievement of equivalences
between different writing systems.
European Union (EU) developed EuroGeoNames (EGN) as system of
European geographical names infrastructure. It is a part of the European
spatial data infrastructure (INSPIRE) and regional process of standardiza-
tion geographical names. European system of geographical names infra-
