# PlaceDescriptor A structure that contains identifying information about a place that a mapping service may use to attempt to find rich place information such as phone numbers, websites, and so on. ``` struct PlaceDescriptor ``` ## Discussion A [`PlaceDescriptor`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor) allows you to construct a collection of metadata about a place, including at least one [`PlaceDescriptor.PlaceRepresentation`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/PlaceRepresentation) which contains common geographic concepts like an address or coordinate. `PlaceDescriptor` may optionally include a [`supportingRepresentations`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/supportingRepresentations) which contains identifiers that match the place for mapping service providers. Use `PlaceDescriptor` in conjunction with a mapping service to request rich information about a place. For example to create a [`PlaceDescriptor`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor) that describes an address with a common name use [`init(representations:commonName:supportingRepresentations:)`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/init(representations:commonName:supportingRepresentations:)) as shown here. ```swift let fountain = PlaceDescriptor( representations: [.address("121-122 James's St \n Dublin 8 \n D08 ET27 \n Ireland")], commonName: "Obelisk Fountain" ) ``` You can also initialize a `PlaceDescriptor` using an as shown below. ```swift guard let descriptor = PlaceDescriptor(item: myMapItem) else { return } ``` ## Topics ### Creating place descriptors [`init(representations:commonName:supportingRepresentations:)`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/init(representations:commonName:supportingRepresentations:)) Creates a place descriptor, suitable for use when searching or retrieving rich data about a place. [`init(item:)`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/init(item:)) Creates a place descriptor from a map item. ### Getting the attributes of a place descriptor [`commonName`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/commonName) Publicly known name of the area or place of interest. [`address`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/address) A full address, that one could use in postal or administrative scenarios. [`coordinate`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/coordinate) The latitude and longitude for a place. [`representations`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/representations) An array of representations of the place using common mapping concepts. [`supportingRepresentations`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/supportingRepresentations) An array of proprietary or non-uniform representations of the place, such as representations you can use with other mapping services. [`serviceIdentifier(for:)`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/serviceIdentifier(for:)) Retrieves the identifier for the specified service provider, if available. ### Enumeration values that describe places and mapping service representations [`PlaceDescriptor.PlaceRepresentation`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/PlaceRepresentation) Values that represent a physical place, suitable for use when searching or retrieving rich data. [`PlaceDescriptor.SupportingPlaceRepresentation`](/documentation/GeoToolbox/PlaceDescriptor/SupportingPlaceRepresentation) Values that describe the representation of a physical place using proprietary attributes, such as an alphanumeric location identifier from a mapping service provider. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)