Gazetteer

A Gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or index, providing information about places. It typically includes names of places, their locations (latitude and longitude), geographic features (mountains, rivers, etc.), and often historical or statistical data. Gazetteers are essential tools for researchers, travelers, historians, and anyone needing detailed information about specific locations. They range in scope from global compilations to specialized regional or thematic indexes. The information contained aids in navigation, mapping, and understanding the spatial relationships between different locations. They act as static information resources.

Gazetteer meaning with examples

• While planning their expedition, the explorers consulted a comprehensive historical Gazetteer to identify potential routes and settlements along the proposed trail, charting their progress and noting resources.
• The genealogist scoured a local Gazetteer for the historical records of family names linked to specific villages, piecing together migration patterns across generations in that particular area.
• During a virtual field trip, the students used an online Gazetteer to pinpoint the exact coordinates and geographical context of ancient ruins in the area.
• The researcher compared data from the Gazetteer to local population reports from that region to analyze the changes in town size over several decades.