Africa’s Political Landscape in 1914

Make this example your own

Start with this working configuration

Keep the geography and setup, then replace the values or adjust the styling.

Map
Choropleth map
Geography
Africa
Dataset
50 mapped places · Categorical values
Rendering
Categorical color classes

Includes: map/table toggle

Data you need

  • A place or boundary identifier that matches Africa.
  • A category for each area, such as a group, class, status, or type.
  • Consistent category names so the legend does not split equivalent groups.
  • A title, units, source, and short note explaining definitions or limitations.

How to make a similar map

  1. Prepare one row per mapped place and match it to Africa; use stable geographic codes when available.
  2. Upload the CSV and confirm the location and value fields in Data check. Remove duplicates or unmatched rows before continuing.
  3. Choose a choropleth, keep the categorical legend concise, and test each legend filter against the map and table.
  4. Add labels, stat cards, and source notes only where they aid interpretation. Use the map/table toggle when both views matter but space is limited.

Try this map style with

These datasets can use the same geography and visual setup.

  • African independence dates
  • Present-day regional organizations
  • Official-language families across Africa

Source and limitations

Library of Congress, Africa, 1914.

Modern country boundaries provide the reference frame. Categories summarize the authority controlling most of each present-day territory in 1914; borders and split territories are necessarily simplified.

View data source