Official place names for natural features

In accordance with the “Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 50 " Regulations Regarding Geographical Names Information ", since January 10, 2012, the LGIA has been assigning official place names and official parallel names to natural objects, based on the conclusions of State Language Centre. Official place names ensure unambiguous identification of natural objects. Many Latvian natural objects have up to 10 and even more different names and variants of names. Therefore it is necessary to approve one to two specific names for use in legal acts, documents, official communication, public information, etc. Assigning official place names often eliminates linguistic inaccuracies in the spelling of place names. The purpose of official parallel names is to preserve culturally and historically valuable place names, as well as to ensure better recognition of objects.

The Laboratory of Toponymy of the Department of Cartography has prepared an informative booklet on the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 50 " Regulations Regarding Geographical Names Information ".

The booklet provides a concise overview of the place names standardization principles and procedures started in the Regulations.

LGIA decisions on assignment of official place names

Recent conclusions of the State Language Centre

Explanation of commonly used terms in the conclusions of the State Language Centre