Search Tips
The Anyplace America database contains over 1 million records of named geographic features in the US. Our search engine makes it possible to search for records by name, using keywords. This is a very fast and convenient way of finding specific features.
However, there some challenges to this process. The biggest is that the names of the features in our database are the official, and somewhat “scientific” name of the features. This occasionally differs from the more common name. For example, the “Strawberry Mountains” (which is what they’re commonly called around here), have the official name of the “Strawberry Range”. So, someone searching for the “Strawberry Mountains” may get no results.
Here’s how we advise using our search engine, for best results.
1. Begin by typing in the common name of the feature you’re looking for. It’s not necessary to choose a “feature type”. Simply type the name of the feature, select a state, and press the “Find” button. In the majority of cases you’ll find the feature you’re looking for.
2. If you don’t find the feature you’re looking for, try the search again, this time removing the common, improper part of the name. For example, to find “Strawberry Mountains”, type “Strawberry”. To find “Mount Rainier”, type “Rainier”.
3. If Step #2 provides a huge number of results, try the search again, this time selecting a feature type. For example, you’d enter the keyword “strawberry”, choose the state “Oregon”, and choose the feature type “mountain”. This will provide you with very specific results.
If you have any suggestions for making our search engine more user friendly, feel free to contact us and let us know what your ideas are.
Best wishes,
The Staff
