Information cards for geographic names

Information cards for geographic names is a service where you can look at information about named places and place names in Finland. The information card for each named place shows data that has been stored in the National Land Survey's Geographic Names Register. The named place is also shown on a map. The language of the place name can be Finnish, Swedish, North Saami, Inari Saami or Skolt Saami.

The objects in the NLS Geographic Names Register have a permanent, unique identifier that can be used to link the name information with other services containing name information.

The image shows the information card for a place called Paatsjoki.
The image shows the information card for a place called Paatsjoki.


More information about geographic names maintained by the National Land Survey is available in the product description. 

The Information cards for geographic names website uses the Geographic names interface service (OGC API Features) interface as a background service. This interface is available for use free of charge with an API key or as a part of Open geospatial data contract framework.

The register contains data about approximately 800,000 named places and their names. The named places can be cities, towns, traffic operating points, waterways, hills, or other place features that have been named.

The attribute data for named places:
•    Name
•    Language of the name
•    Place type theme
•    Place type group
•    Place type subgroup
•    Place type
•    Place type description
•    Municipality
•    Sub-region
•    Region
•    TM35 map sheet division
•    General map sheet division
•    Rescue service grid
•    Coordinates ETRS-TM35FIN
•    Coordinates WGS84
•    Height above sea level
•    Place ID/version
•    Place creation date
•    Place modification date
•    Map usage
•    Permanent URI for place

The attribute information for place names:

  • Language
  • Official status of the language in the municipality where the place is located
  • Relative status of the language in the municipality where the place is located
  • Source of the name information
  • Status from the perspective of the name management
  • Place name identifier/version
  • Date of name creation in the register
  • Date of the name modification in the register
  • Permanent URI identifier for the name

You can send feedback and development ideas on our online form.