Library of Congress

MDS Technical Notice

September 27, 2001


Additions to the MARC Code List for Geographic Areas



The following codes have been recently approved for use in MARC 21 records as geographic area code in field 043. They will appear in the next edition of the MARC Code List for Geographic Areas.

New code Place name

x Earth

zd Deep space

zmo Moon

zju Jupiter

zma Mars

zme Mercury

zne Neptune

zo Outer space

zpl Pluto

zs Solar system

zsa Saturn

zsu Sun

zur Uranus

zve Venus

dd Developed countries

u-at-ac Australian Capital Territory

(previously coded as u-at-ne (New South Wales))



The GAC for Earth (x) is only assigned if the subject heading Earth by itself or with subdivisions (Earth--Crust; Earth--Density; Earth--Mantle) are assigned. It is not used for topics (like Meteorology, Geology, etc.) which are earth-centric but in which the location of the earth is taken for granted. Deep space (zd) refers to all planets, phenomena, suns, and moons in solar systems other than ours, while Outer space (zo) encompasses all planets, phenomena, suns, moons, solar systems, etc. outside the earth's atmosphere. Solar system (zs) covers all the planets within our solar system (inner and outer planets), phenomena occuring within the solar system (e.g. comets), and the sun, and moons located within our solar system.



MARC Distribution Service subscribers can anticipate receiving MARC records reflecting these changes in all distribution services not earlier than December 28, 2001. Questions regarding the geographic area codes should be directed to:

Cataloging Policy and Support Office

Library of Congress

Washington, DC 20540-4305

(202) 707-4380 INTERNET: cpso@loc.gov



September 27, 2001