Method
Documentation
How source records, confidence labels and the shared coordinate frame become the atlas you can explore.
Data model
Places and viewpoints are published records. A place describes a named area or feature; a viewpoint connects a specific piece of evidence to a place and may include an approximate map position. Public records retain source, authority, confidence and precision information.
Shared coordinates
The atlas uses the established GTADB-to-world transform: world x = GTADB x × 2and world z = −GTADB y × 2. The same transform drives the cartographic view and the 3D reconstruction so a cited point does not drift between modes.
Cartography
Base geography is derived from the pinned Yanis v16 GTADB raster tiles. Land, water, vegetation, roads and building marks are generalized into an editorial presentation. Landmark proximity is never used to invent road geometry. No-data areas stay restrained and unknown.
Interaction and accessibility
Search and evidence are optional panels over a map-first canvas. A deliberate map tap travels to that coordinate; panning, pinching and cancelled gestures do not. Collision-safe position adjustments may be applied in the 3D view and are disclosed by the interface. Keyboard-visible focus, labelled controls and reduced-motion preferences are part of the experience.
Availability
Published place and viewpoint records come from the site CMS. If that catalogue is temporarily unreachable, the atlas shows an unavailable state instead of generating substitute claims.