Legal & Policies
Disputed Boundaries and Place Names Policy
Klokan Technologies GmbH operates OldMapsOnline.org and TimeMap.org to help people discover, explore, and learn from maps and historical geographic information. Our goal is to present geographic content in a way that supports research, education, and public understanding.
Our general approach
Borders, sovereignty, and place names can be disputed. These disputes may be political, legal, historical, cultural, linguistic, or personal, and perspectives can differ across communities, countries, and time periods. In many cases, the “correct” depiction depends on the date, the source, the purpose of the map, and the viewpoint of the mapmaker.
For historical content, boundaries and names are especially complex: governance changes over time, records can be incomplete, multiple administrations may have existed in parallel, and later interpretations may differ. As a result, any presentation of boundaries or place names may involve uncertainty, simplification, or conventions chosen for usability.
We aim to present content as accurately and responsibly as we reasonably can, while recognizing that no single depiction will satisfy all viewpoints in every context.
What our maps and data are and are not
Our platforms are designed for exploration and research. They are not intended to serve as legal references, authoritative statements of sovereignty, or definitive historical adjudications. A displayed boundary or place name should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any territorial claim or political position.
When we display content from third parties, such as library or archive collections, external datasets, or user-contributed information, those sources may reflect their own editorial choices, historical context, terminology, transliteration systems, or cataloging practices.
About TimeMap content
TimeMap.org sa snaTimeMap.org attempts to represent historical geography with care and precision. We work with structured geographic datasets and try to align boundaries and place names with known historical contexts and time periods.
However, historical datasets can contain uncertainty, gaps, and errors. There may also be multiple credible interpretations of borders and place names depending on the sources used, the definition of a boundary (administrative, cultural, military, ecclesiastical, etc.), and the period in question. In addition, the level of detail available can vary significantly by region and era.
Where possible, we seek to::
- use reputable sources and documented datasets
- reflect known historical changes over time
- indicate date ranges and temporal uncertainty when available
- avoid presenting uncertain information as definitive
- provide context that helps users understand limitations
We also recognize that users may interpret historical depictions differently. Our intent is to support inquiry, not to settle disputes.
About OldMapsOnline content
OldMapsOnline.org helps users find digitized historical maps from many libraries, archives, and collections. These maps were created in particular historical circumstances and may reflect the perspectives, naming conventions, and political assumptions of their creators.
OldMapsOnline does not endorse the viewpoints shown on any historical map. We present maps as historical artifacts. A historical map may contain outdated terminology, biased depictions, or controversial representations; these aspects can be part of the historical record and may be relevant to understanding the source and its time.
Where we provide metadata (titles, place names, dates, extents, tags), it may originate from the holding institution’s catalog, automated processes, third-party datasets, or our own editorial work. Metadata may be incomplete or inconsistent across collections.
Naming, language, and transliteration
Place names often exist in multiple languages and scripts, and names may change over time. When displaying names, we may use a combination of:
- names present in the source material
- widely used contemporary names for discoverability
- historically attested names for the relevant period
- transliterations to support search and indexing
No naming choice is intended to imply a political position. We aim for clarity and findability while respecting historical and cultural context as much as possible.
Corrections, requests, and feedback
We welcome corrections and constructive feedback. If you believe a boundary depiction, place name, description, or related metadata is inaccurate, misleading, or missing important context, please contact us with:
- the relevant link(s) on OldMapsOnline or TimeMap
- the area and time period concerned
- what you believe should be changed and why
- supporting sources or references, if possible
We review reports in good faith. When appropriate, we may update our data, metadata, presentation, search labels, or explanatory notes. In some cases, especially for contested issues, we may choose to present multiple names, add clarifying context, or document uncertainty rather than making a single definitive change.
Neutrality and intent
Our intent is educational and informational. We do not take a position on sovereignty disputes or territorial claims. Our goal is to present geographic information in a way that is respectful, transparent about uncertainty, and useful for users working with historical materials.
Limitations and disclaimer
Geographic information, especially historical boundaries and names, may be incomplete, contested, or ambiguous. Despite best efforts, errors can occur. OldMapsOnline.org and TimeMap.org are provided for general informational purposes. Users should consult primary sources and authoritative references for decisions that require definitive or legally binding determinations.