Some thoughts on coding systems for administrative areas

[Neil Chalmers]

Dear colleagues,

One of aspect of this work that interests me is how the administrative areas are coded.  It is often difficult to obtain current, accurate lists of the Regions, Districts, Wards etc. especially as they are subject to change from time to time.  The attached PDF document sets out some of the challenges and proposes a solution.  It also provides a personal introduction and ends with a few thoughts on mapping. 

Sorting out the lists is a necessary prerequisite to the work of digitising the boundaries of course but it is work that would be valuable in its own right for other reasons.  I would welcome any comments on these ideas, especially if someone can help me find the lists for series C and D down to level 4 (Village/Mtaa).  (This will make sense if/when you read the attached document.)  I have converted some of the lists to the proposed format.  These are found at  https://bit.ly/2qlJD4U .

Corrections are also welcome, of course.

Regards,

Neil