# GIS Classification of level 1 and level 2 boundaries - Cameroon Census Data
**URL:** https://forum.ipums.org/t/gis-classification-of-level-1-and-level-2-boundaries-cameroon-census-data/3272
**Category:** INTERNATIONAL
**Created:** [December 4, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/gis-classification-of-level-1-and-level-2-boundaries-cameroon-census-data/3272 "2019-12-04T05:12:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JITrustIY](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JITrustIY)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/gis-classification-of-level-1-and-level-2-boundaries-cameroon-census-data/3272/1 "2019-12-04T05:12:33Z")
Dear IPUMS User,
I need help with the GIS classification of Cameroon level 1 and level 2 boundaries for the 1976, 1987, and 2005 censuses.
1. Why are geo1\_cm and geo2\_cm grouped to fewer (7 and 39, respectively) than the current number of level 1 and level 2 boundaries (10 and 58, respectively)?
2. Is it possible to use geo1\_cm1976, geo1\_cm1987, and geo1\_cm2005 variables, to reclassify the level 1 boundaries such that they appear as individual provinces (not grouped)?
And likewise, use geo2\_cm1976, geo2\_cm1987, and geo2\_cm2005 to reclassify the level 2 boundaries such that they appear as individual departments?
I am trying to develop trends in population indicators as per 10 provinces (geo1\_cm1987 and geo\_cm2005) and 58 departments (geo2\_cm2005).
Thank you.
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### Author:  [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/gis-classification-of-level-1-and-level-2-boundaries-cameroon-census-data/3272/2 "2019-12-05T14:18:59Z")
The [GEO1\_CM](https://international.ipums.org/international-action/variables/GEO1_CM#codes_section) and [GEO2\_CM](https://international.ipums.org/international-action/variables/GEO2_CM#codes_section) variables are consistent boundary variables for the Cameroon census samples from 1976 through 2005. Therefore, in order to harmonize the boundaries over time some detail from some specific samples is lost. If you are interested in using the full level of detail for each sample, you can use the sample specific geographic variables (e.g., GEO1\_CM[year] and GEO2\_CM[year]). However, since it sounds like you are using each of the available Cameroon samples, you may want to use the harmonized boundaries for consistency over time.
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### Author:  [@JITrustIY](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JITrustIY)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2019, 12:01am UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/gis-classification-of-level-1-and-level-2-boundaries-cameroon-census-data/3272/3 "2019-12-06T00:01:02Z")
Well understood JeffBloem. Thank you