17. Further, a change in the name of a country or area while its geographical coverage remained constant would not be accompanied by a change in its numerical code. However, a change in name may be accompanied by a change in the ISO alphabetical codes.
18. In general, once assigned, the numerical code for a country or area or grouping remains unchanged.
Organization of the publication
19. The publication is organized into three parts and an annex, as described below:
(a) Part I lists the names of countries or areas in alphabetical order and shows for each country or area its numerical code, the eight-character and twelve-character abbreviations of its name and the two-letter and three-letter ISO alphabetical codes for the representation of its name.
(b) Part II lists the selected groupings of countries or areas and shows for each grouping its numerical code. Under each grouping are listed the names and numerical codes of the countries or areas making up the grouping. The groupings are shown in two categories, as follows:
(i) Geographical groupings. All the countries or areas shown in part I (and no others) are included under these groupings. Each country or area is included at the detailed level under only one grouping.
(il) Other groupings. The groupings are made up only of countries or areas shown in part 1. A country or area may be included under more than one of these groupings or may not be included under any of them.
(c) Part III lists, in numerical order, all the numerical codes and names of the countries or areas and groupings shown in parts 1 and II. The abbreviations of names of countries or areas and groupings and the ISO alphabetical codes of countries or areas are also shown. Additionally, the list includes the codes for "Areas not elsewhere specified" and "Not specified".
(d) The annex lists the changes in name or presentation from the 1975 publication to the present one.
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