Ten years ago, I never could have imagined that a simple idea would grow into something that would touch the lives of millions.
The backstory
It all started when I was doing the CS50 Harvard EdX course (yes, this is what got me into software development!), and needed to submit a final project to get the certification.
Since we were in a pre-election period in Greece, I had the idea of building an election map tool, where you could create the classical party/vote map for a country.
Searching around for inspiration, I found out that there were not so many freely available tools for this purpose. There were either GIS-based tools (hard to use for the average user) or paid ones (inaccessible to most). I always loved geography and looking at maps, so it was only natural to try to help people play around with maps however they wanted.
So, I took the plunge and started building the first version of MapChart.
After figuring out how to use SVG for the maps and adding the basic coloring functionality, I started thinking – why limit myself to just Greece? I began adding more maps, first a world map, then a European map. Before I knew it, I was hooked. What started as a small project slowly grew, and now the site has over 80 maps.
The first version was rough, but it held promise. Here are some screenshots from that time:
I submitted the project for CS50 and passed successfully. Then I started sharing it on different subreddits, adding more features along the way. A few posts went semi-viral, and suddenly people were interested. It was the first sign that maybe I’d created something people actually wanted – a simple tool for making maps that anyone could use.
Feedback
The real magic of MapChart came from its users. From day one, people started sending emails with ideas and suggestions.
Their feedback was incredible – they basically helped me shape the website, telling me exactly what they needed. It wasn’t just me building something anymore; it became a collaborative project where users were driving the improvements.
As time passed, user requests kept pouring in, slowly transforming MapChart into what it is today. Now we’ve got such a remarkable community that nothing gets past them – even the tiniest bug or map detail is spotted almost instantly. It’s like having hundreds of extra eyes helping me improve the site:
The most incredible part? The emails. Users take the time to share how they’re using MapChart, and it’s mind-blowing. Teachers showing me how they’ve made geography fun, researchers turning complex data into clear visuals, travelers mapping their adventures, historians playing with alternate history scenarios – each email is like a little burst of gratitude. Their excitement keeps me motivated, pushing me to keep improving the site.
Growth
As the years passed, MapChart evolved. What started as a personal project became a global platform. Thousands of users began visiting daily, creating maps that told stories of research, adventure, business, and personal exploration.
From students illustrating historical concepts to journalists visualizing complex global narratives, people found creative ways to use it that I could never have anticipated.
Here are some milestones that I am proud of:
#1 Google search result
One of the coolest moments was realizing MapChart had become the go-to place for map creation. Google started showing it as the top result when people searched for custom maps. Search engines were quick to pick up that when a visitor wants to create a map, they go to MapChart and get what they need.
I was also recently surprised to see that even our AI overlords have recognized MapChart and its usefulness:
Education tool
The most rewarding part? Seeing MapChart used in education. It blew my mind to find our maps in scientific journals like Nature, in elementary school classrooms, and in university research papers. Students, researchers, teachers – everyone was finding their own way to use the tool.
Alternate history fan base
I have to give a special shout-out to the alternate history community. These folks are incredible. They’ve pushed MapChart to its limits, creating incredibly detailed maps with thousands of provinces, like the HoI IV and Victoria 3 maps.
They’re not just making maps – they’re building entire worlds, crafting complex scenarios, and sharing intricate stories, and are the reason that maps with up to 40,000 provinces are now available, making it possible to create even the most detailed empires and scenarios.
In popular media
It’s the strangest feeling – randomly spotting a MapChart map out in the world. After all these years, MapChart maps have popped up everywhere. Sometimes I’ll be reading something or watching a video and suddenly think, “Wait, is that made with MapChart?” It never gets old. Here are some examples:
Everywhere on Wikipedia
There is also a dedicated template tag for MapChart on Wikimedia.
Books and publications
Even a simple search in Google Books yields thousands of results.
Blogs and websites
Multiple blogs and articles have been written on MapChart and its uses. Sometimes I check my analytics, and find random links coming from a Japanese travel blog or a Spanish education website, talking about MapChart.
YouTube
Searching for MapChart on YouTube comes up with so many videos, of people making maps, using it for storytelling, showing its features, giving TEDx talks, or even making memes out of it:
The Vice President of the United States
Perhaps the most surreal experience was seeing Kamala Harris using a MapChart map. The Vice President of the United States, holding a map created with it? That’s not something you expect when you start a small project.
More MapChart
By the end of 2020, I realized MapChart needed to break free from just desktop browsers. The mobile apps were a game-changer. Now you could create maps anywhere – waiting for coffee, on a train, or just sitting on your couch.
MapChart launched on iOS and Android, and suddenly, it was in people’s pockets. Over a million people have downloaded the apps, and the feedback has been amazing – it’s now sitting pretty with 4-star-plus ratings.
For those who want to take their mapping even further, MapChart Plus offers some extra features. It’s a way to support the continued development of the tool while getting some cool additional capabilities.
With Plus, users get more map themes, a dark mode, and a way to save their maps to their account and access them from anywhere. It’s completely optional – the core MapChart experience remains free for everyone.
But I didn’t want to stop there. I started adding integrations with Excel, Google Sheets, and Airtable. What began as a simple website was becoming something much bigger – a complete mapping ecosystem that could handle even more demanding use-cases.
And then came MapGame. It started as a fun side project last year – a geography trivia game that’s already building its own community of map-loving, geography-obsessed fans. Who knew a map website could spin off into a game?
Personal
MapChart didn’t just change other people’s lives – it completely transformed mine. What started as a side project became my entire world. I did something most people only dream about: I turned a hobby into my full-time work.
Quitting my previous job to focus on MapChart was terrifying and exciting. But every day, I wake up thrilled to work on something I truly love.
Looking ahead, I’m buzzing with excitement. The next decade feels like it’s full of possibilities. More ways to create maps, more opportunities to help people understand the world, more chances to connect. MapChart was never just about making maps – it’s about telling stories, exploring ideas, and bringing people together.
To everyone who’s used MapChart – thank you. Students, researchers, travelers, journalists, businesses – you’ve turned this from my little project into something incredible. Your creativity and stories have made this whole journey possible.
Ten years of creating, exploring, and connecting – and we’re just getting started.