Template:Cite gnis/doc

If you encounter a formerly-working GNIS link that now returns an error, see Template:GNIS/doc § Retired data and use |type=retired here.

This citation template is used to cite a Feature Detail Report from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Usage

A search engine can be found here.

Parameter	Value	Notes
{{cite gnis | type = | id = | name = | access-date = }}	antarid or retired feature ID (number) feature name (text) database access date	for Antarctic or retired features required (1) required (2) recommended

• For Antarctic locations, specify |type=antarid.
• For features types retired in 2021, specify |type=retired.
• To disable links to the publisher, when the template is used multiple times in an article, use |links=off
• Template accepts all parameters accepted by {{cite encyclopedia}}, e.g., |access-date= or |date=
• Positional (unnamed) parameters are interpreted as {{cite gnis|id|name|access-date|date}}
• Some of the parameters are aliases for {{cite encyclopedia}}, either form can be used:
  • |name= → |entry=
  • |date= → |access-date=

Note that latitude, longitude and elevation may be somewhat inaccurate. It is best to confirm this data by viewing the location on a map. If necessary use more reliable sources.

Examples

With named parameters and entry date

• {{cite gnis |id=269051 |name=Mount Whitney |date=January 19, 1981 |access-date=March 10, 2022}}

"Mount Whitney". United States Geological Survey. January 19, 1981. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:269051. 

With unnamed parameters and entry date

• {{cite gnis |269051 |Mount Whitney | |January 19, 1981}}

"Mount Whitney". United States Geological Survey. January 19, 1981. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:269051. 

With unnamed parameters, access date and entry date

• {{cite gnis |269051 |Mount Whitney |December 20, 2020 |January 19,1981}}

"Mount Whitney". United States Geological Survey. January 19, 1981. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:269051. 

With named parameters and publisher links off

• {{cite gnis |id=269051 |name=Mount Whitney |access-date=December 20, 2020 |entry-date=19 January 1981 |links=off}}

"Mount Whitney". United States Geological Survey. 19 January 1981. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:269051. 

Antarctic locations

• {{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=15152 |name=Mount Terror |date=January 1, 1947 |access-date=March 10, 2022}}

"Mount Terror". United States Geological Survey. January 1, 1947. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:15152. 

Retired locations

• {{cite gnis |type=retired |id=235365 |name=Stanford University |date=January 19, 1981 |access-date=February 12, 2023}}

"Stanford University". United States Geological Survey. January 19, 1981. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:235365. 

With all named parameters, Antarctic locations

• {{cite gnis |type=antarid |id=19152 |name=Raney Peak |entry-date=21 January 2008 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |links=off |ref=test}}

"Raney Peak". United States Geological Survey. 21 January 2008. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:5:::NO::P5_ANTAR_ID:19152. 

See also

• {{cite gnis2}} – For a CS2 format citation than includes a {{harvid}} identifier
• {{GNIS}}, {{GNIS 2}}, {{GNIS URL}}, {{GNIS 4}} – for same external link in other formats
• {{GEOnet2}} and {{Cite gns}} – for links to non-U.S. geographic feature names from GEOnet Names Server
• {{Cite ngs}} – for links to U.S. National Geodetic Survey
• {{Cite gvp}} – for links to Global Volcanism Program
• {{Cite encyclopedia}}