Problems of Information Society, 2022, vo.13, no.1, 3–10 3 Conceptual basis for creation of national toponymic geographic information system Rasim M. Alguliyev 1 , Yedgar M. Jafarov 2 , Afruz M. Gurbanova 3 1,2,3 Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Information Technology, B.Vahabzade str., 9A, AZ1141, Baku, Azerbaijan 1 r.alguliev@gmail.com; 2 yedgar@yandex.ru; 3 afruz1961@gmail.com ORCİD: orcid.org/0000-0003-1223-7411 1 orcid.org/0000-0001-8205-8000 2 orcid.org/0000-0002-2274-8015 3 ARTICLE INFO http://doi.org/10.25045/jpis.v13.i1.01 Article history: Received 18 September 2021 Received in revised form: 20 November 2021 Accepted 23 January 2022 ABSTACT 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. Keywords: Onomastics Toponymy Geonomastics Geographic information system Onomastic map Toponymic geographic information system 1. Introduction The contemporary development stage of world science is characterized by the intensive advance of interdisciplinary fields. Elements and research methodologies of different fields of science merge to gain more effective results. Toponymics positions at the intersection of linguistics, geography and history, and is one of such interdisciplinary fields [1]. Toponymics is a branch of onomastics and studies the names of geographical objects, including their origin, development, transformation over time, and their current state. The set of toponyms in each area comprises its toponymy. Toponymy is the objective of toponymics [2]. The functions of this field of science may include enlightenment, pedagogical, the regulation of designation and naming, correct spelling of addresses and geographical names, determination of transformation rules from one language into another [3]. Toponyms are also of great ideological and historical importance. Because different geographical names represent the rules of language, the past of a particular people, as well as various tribes and ethnic groups involved in its formation, and other socio-political factors. Historical events and processes, such as change of socio-economic formations, occupation facts, etc. have no doubt affected toponyms. This regularity has left indelible traces on the system of toponyms of Azerbaijan. The inability of some toponyms to preserve their original form, to be replaced by new ones over time, and to undergo a transformation is a gradually ongoing natural process. Displacements of ethnic groups residing in a particular area, the changes in the relief structure of that area, important socio- political events, connection of the name with specific individuals, etc. can lead to certain variations in the toponymic composition. Geographical names are the product of a certain period and certain 13 (1) 2022 www.jpis.az