DACS 13
Geographic Names
- Use the English form of the name of the place if there is one in general use (Germany not Deutschland)
- If there is no English form in general use, use the vernacular form (in the official language of the country)
- If the country has more than one official language, use the form most commonly found in English-language sources
Geographic Reference Sources
- For US names, use the Rand McNally Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide
- For canadian names, use the heading provided by the National Library of Canada
- For other names, use a recently published gazetteer or consult the US Board on geographic Names
Modifications:
- Drop initial articles unless retention is supported by gazetteers (i.e. Los Angeles)
- Always spell out Saint and Mount
- Drop “town” or “township”
Additions
- Add to the name of a place the name of a larger place (except for states, provinces, territories, and countries); for example “San Francisco (Calif.)
- Exception: for UK and Irish names of the country, not the country of the area; e.g. Glasgow (Scotland)
- Differentiate between otherwise identical names by adding an additional smaller places required; e.g. Basildon (Essex, England) and Basildon (Berkshire, England)
- for communities within cities, add the city and state or country; e.g. Highland Square (Akron, Ohio)
