15.06 Generic and specific

As a general rule, the name of a geographical feature is composed of a generic and a specific. The specific is the part of the toponym that identifies the particular geographical feature in question. For example:

• In Alexandria River, the specific is Alexandria.
• In Crown Prince Frederik Island, the specific is Crown Prince Frederik.
• In River of Ponds Lake, the specific is River of Ponds.

The generic is the part of the toponym that identifies a general class to which a specific geographical feature belongs. For example:

• In Swampy Bay River, the generic is River.
• In Bay d’Espoir, the generic is Bay.
• In Little Francis Lake the generic is Lake.

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