Permanent Committee on Geographical Names facts for kids
The Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) is a special group in the United Kingdom. It works for the government but makes its own decisions. Its main job is to decide the official names for places all over the world, but not Antarctica. This helps the British government use the same names for all maps and documents.
What is the PCGN?
The PCGN is like a naming expert for places outside the UK. Imagine if everyone used different names for the same city! It would be very confusing. The PCGN makes sure there is one official name for each place. This helps with maps, travel, and talking about different countries.
When was the PCGN started?
The Permanent Committee on Geographical Names was created in 1919. That's over 100 years ago! It was set up to help the British government keep track of place names around the world.
Who works with the PCGN?
Many important groups work together with the PCGN. These groups help make sure the names are correct and useful for everyone. Some of these groups include:
- British Broadcasting Corporation (the BBC, which uses place names in its news)
- Defence Intelligence Staff (who need accurate names for safety and planning)
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office (who work with other countries)
- Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ, a security and intelligence agency)
- Hydrographic Office (who make sea maps)
- Ordnance Survey (who make maps of Great Britain)
- Royal Geographical Society (a group that studies geography)
- Royal Scottish Geographical Society (a similar group in Scotland)
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