Collection

PCGN geographical names guidance

The Permanent Committee on Geographical Names guidance for the proper writing of geographical names.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 1 July 2014
• Last updated: 16 October 2014 — See all updates

PCGN guidance for the proper writing of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic.

Geographical names

• The importance of geographical names
  • 20 August 2018
  • Guidance
• Toponymic guidelines for the United Kingdom
  • 14 May 2024
  • Guidance
• Toponymic factfiles
  • 7 November 2025
  • Guidance
• Geographical names websites on the internet
  • 22 September 2021
  • Guidance
• Place names of the United Kingdom
  • 3 May 2024
  • Guidance
• United Nations and geographical names
  • 26 June 2023
  • Guidance
• Antarctic place names
  • 1 July 2014
  • Guidance
• Country names
  • 3 October 2025
  • Guidance
• Romanization systems
  • 28 January 2025
  • Guidance
• Information papers
  • 3 July 2025
  • Guidance

Published 1 July 2014

Last updated 16 October 2014 + show all updates

1. 16 October 2014

   Added a link to 'Information papers by country'

2. 3 July 2014

   Added toponymic guidelines.

3. 1 July 2014

   First published.