I built a world history map where every ruler links to a source

Description and use

A static world history map where every ruler links to a source, enabling time‑based exploration and source verification.

Problem

Most history maps show borders but not who ruled each state or source of that claim.

Outcome

A static, source‑verified world history map that allows users to slide through time, view rulers, and access source links for each claim.

Workflow

• 1. Build map geometry and facts ahead of time.
• 2. Store data in TopoJSON files per year.
• 3. Serve a single Canvas 2D element with d3-geo inside a React island.
• 4. Use Astro pages for static content.
• 5. Enforce source requirement via fact schema rejecting entries without URL and quote.
• 6. Provide per-state pages for search queries like "who ruled France in 1960".
• 7. Offer a correction report link on each page.

Evidence

Every ruler, office and event links to its source. This is enforced in code, not by trust.

Source

It's fully static. There's no server. The map geometry and facts are built ahead of time, and the browser fetches one TopoJSON file per year, so moving back and forth costs little.

Source

The map is one Canvas 2D element using d3-geo, inside a single React island. The rest of the site is plain Astro pages.

Source