Standardization of geographical names: past and present

Abstract

Standardizing geographical names is the foundation for managing location-based information, public services, and central registries at national and global levels. Recognizing the benefits of unambiguous, name-based identification of places, an international organization was established within the United Nations. UNGEGN promotes the establishment of government bodies authorized to determine and register official geographical names in every country and ensures their cooperation across geographical and linguistic divisions. The Hungarian Committee on Geographical Names was set up in 1963. This study aims to provide an overview of the committee’s work and achievements.