Geographic Areas Reference Manual
The Geographic Areas Reference Manual describes in great detail the basic geographic entities the Census Bureau uses in its various data tabulations and documents the purposes, definitions, standards, criteria, and procedures used to select, define, delineate, and revise these geographic entities.
Since the publication of the GARM in November 1994, there have been two major changes in geographic areas for Census 2000:
- The Census Bureau will no longer include the Republic of Palau in U. S. censuses because it is an independent state.
- All entities referred to as "block numbering areas" (BNAs) in 1990 will become census tracts.
If you have any questions about this or any other information on changes in geographic areas for Census 2000, please contact the Geographic Standards and Criteria Branch, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-7400, telephone (301) 763-3056.
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