052 Geographic Classification

Field definition and scope:

Field 052 contains a geographic classification code that represents the geographic area and, if applicable, the geographic subarea and populated place name covered by an item. The code can provide more precise geographic access than the codes contained in field 043 (Geographic Area Code). Each main geographic area code and any related subarea codes associated with the item are contained in a separate 052 field. Subfield $d (Populated place name) may contain the name of the geographic area.

The National level record requirement for this field is Optional; for maps it is Mandatory.

Field 052 is repeatable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, National-level (NLR) and Minimal-level (MLR) record requirements, and designator repeatability, see table below:

Position	Description	NLR	MLR	Repeatability
Field 052	Geographic Classification	O	O	R
	for Maps	M
Indicator:
First	Code source	M
#	Library of Congress Classification	A
1	U.S. Dept. of Defense Classification	A
7	Source specified in subfield $2	A

Second	Undefined; contains a blank	M

Subfield code:
$a	Geographic classification area code	M	O	NR
$b	Geographic classification subarea code	A	O	R
$d	Populated place name	O	O	R
$0	Authority record control number or standard number	O	O	R
$1	Real World Object URI			R
$2	Code source	A	O	NR
$6	Linkage	A	O	NR
$8	Field link and sequence number	O	O	R

Input conventions:

Punctuation

Capitalization

Content designator history:

Subfield $c - Subject (MP) [obsolete]: Subfield $c was made obsolete in the maps specifications in 1980. Subject content descriptors are contained in the 6XX fields.

In 1999, field 052 was renamed from Geographic Classification Code to Geographic Classification.

First Indicator - Code source: In 2000, the first indicator was given its present definition. Records created prior to this change may contain a code # meaning undefined.

First Indicator Value 0 - U.S. Dept. of Defense Classification [obsolete, 2002]: The first indicator value 0 (U.S. Dept. of Defense Classification) was made obsolete. Value 1 was defined as U.S. Dept. of Defense Classification to replace it.

Subfield $0 - Authority record control number or standard number [new, 2017]

Subfield $1 - Real World Object URI [new, 2017]