Digital Maps and Geospatial Data | Princeton University

This point dataset includes Global Map data showing built up areas, primarily cities and towns, in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Population data is for the year 2010 . The data are a modified version of the National Atlas of the United States 1:1,000,000-scale cities and towns of the United States; those source data were derived from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and the U.S. Census Bureau National Places Gazetteer files. Global Map refers to these locations as Built-up Area (point) and defines them as areas containing a concentration of buildings and other structures (smaller than Built-up Area (face)). National Atlas cities or towns are defined as places with a recorded population, usually with at least one central area that provides commercial activities. Cities are generally larger than towns; no distinction is made between cities and towns in this map layer. No attempt has been made to reconcile the Global Map and National Atlas feature definitions.