Conceptual basis for creation of national toponymic geographic information system

The issues related to the geographic information systems and spatial databases play an important role in toponymic research. The interest for this field is due to the expansion of the use of geographic data. This article examines the functions of toponymy, and analyzes the impact of historical events and processes, the change of socio-economic formations on toponymy. It highlights these patterns represented in the Azerbaijani toponyms system. Globalization and Internet technologies have necessitated an access to reliable spatial data. Therefore, the urgent task of regional onomastics is the creation of electronic regional databases, the formation of a single database linking toponymic data from all regions of Azerbaijan. This article substantiates the need for the creation of the National Toponymic Geographic Information System in Azerbaijan.