Why can't I find Bora-Bora in the DDC area table (Table 2)?

Our general policy for indexing geographic features in Table 2 is to give the comprehensive feature, not the individual feature, e.g., the Society Islands.

We do, however, index some individual features. To be considered for indexing, an individual feature must have literary warrant and be found in a major atlas. Then, the feature should meet one of the two following criteria:
a) Its notation is not the same as the notation for the comprehensive feature
b) The region is in more than one jurisdiction.

Because Bora-Bora, one of the Society Islands, does not meet any of the criteria, it is not indexed. Reference tools, such as Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, will usually indicate the comprehensive feature.

Last revised: 05 September 2003