University of Nebraska Kearney

Government Documents Department

Guides for Government Compact Discs (CD's)

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GICS:  Geographical Identification Code Scheme

1. What is it? 

This CD-ROM contains basic information about most geographical areas recognized by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. For each place you can find such data as latitude and longitude, land and water area, and population density.

This disc does not have detailed census information (such as race, income, etc) about a place; use one of the Census Summary Tape File (STF) discs for this.  The STF1A disc has more general questions asked of everyone (100% questions).  Discs for all states are available.

2. Who produces it? 

U.S. Commerce Department, Census Bureau.

3. Are there guides to using it? 

No.

4. Is it updated? 

No.

5. Can the CD-ROM be checked out? 

Yes.

6. Sudoc number (disc's call number in Calvin T. Ryan Library): 

C 3. 275: G 29

8. Is there a paper equivalent in Calvin T. Ryan Library? 

No.

9. Tricks:

USING IT:

Select a geographical division. For most places smaller than a county your best choice is Place, followed by State-Place. Press Enter.
Continue as necessary to select the place that interests you.

You can compare the same bit of data (population density, for example) for many geographic areas by typing B for Browse.

You may also search for a location by pressing the letter "s" and typing in the name of the place you want.

 HELP:

None available on screen.

PRINTING:

Press P.

Move the cursor to "Print GEO identifier to Printer."

Press Enter.

COPYING (DOWNLOADING):

Place a portable storage device in drive.

When you arrive at the data you want to copy, type P.

When the screen says "Enter File Name C:\" erase the C:\ and type A:\smith,

where smith is the name you give your file.

Press Enter.

GETTING OUT:

Press End.

Type Y.

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Courtesy of Robert Lopresti, Wilson Library, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. 6/94
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