I've always believed that when presenting something, the form is at least as important as the content, especially if the content is good! So when it comes to presenting maps, the web is full of great tools for displaying data. Among them, MapChart is a great solution for anyone who wants to create custom maps, whether for school projects, professional presentations, or just for the fun of sharing with friends.
What is MapChart?
MapChart allows users to design maps of different regions of the world and color countries or states according to various criteria. This online tool is completely free and does not require registration. It also offers a “Plus” version for those who want more advanced features.
One of the great things about MapChart is that it offers a huge selection of background maps from around the world. You can choose from several world maps, maps of different continents, but also base maps of most countries in the world. For each type of map you can also choose its level of division: countries or even regions and provinces.
But MapChart isn't just about mapping the real world. For fans of fictional works (like Europa Universalis IV, Helder Scrolls or Game of Thrones), the platform also offers fantasy maps and the ability to create alternate history scenarios, perfect for gaming or educational studies.
With MapChart, you can color countries, states, and regions as needed, making it ideal for educational projects, presentations, and data analysis.
Please note that all maps created on MapChart are licensed under a Creative Commons (Share Alike 4.0 International) which allows their free use and distribution, provided that the author is credited and shared under the same free license.
How to Create a Custom Map on MapChart
Step 1: Access to MapChart from your web browser. On the home page, in the top menu, you will find a wide range of maps to select from ranging from world maps whole to maps of specific countries and regions.
Step 2: Select the type of map you want to customize (for example, you can see what the tool offers in Europe maps) and choose the specific map template within this category. No login is required to access and edit the map.
Step 3: Once the map is selected, you can customize its appearance by clicking on the 'UI' (User Interface) button. Here you will be able to modify the interface of the tool for your convenience. Here you can also select a predefined map color scheme (land/sea).
Step 4: You can now add information to the map: color countries (each color will add a customizable legend to the map), customize the colors of the map background and borders, add country names, show or hide borders, customize the display of the legend (font, colors, shape, etc.)...
Step 5: Once you are satisfied with your work, you can save and share your map. MapChart offers several download options by clicking on “Download Options…”. You can change the dimensions of the map in pixels but also choose the output format: PNG, JPG or SVG. Then click Download Map to download your map or on Save/Load Map Configuration if you want to keep your work to be able to re-edit it later.
Import data from Excel and Google Sheets
For advanced users, MapChart offers a particularly useful (and free) feature for professionals and academics: the ability to import data directly from spreadsheets. Excel et Google Sheets. This feature allows users to map specific information and apply it visually to the selected map; thus, a user could load economic data, for example, and observe its geographic distribution in a few clicks.
