It doesn't take into consideration changing borders. For example on 1800 much of the World belonged to Britain (eg, the biggest example India). Switzerland didn't exist in 1800, so how could you have population data for it? Only in 1861 was Italy unified.
yeah good point and that probably would have warranted a note. it tries to calculate back what the population was for the countries as they are today. there's some questionable interpolation going on.
I would like the alternative, but that would require having a geojson of all historic borders and their populations. and then you'd still have to make a judgement call on Britain -- yes it ruled India, but should India not still show up as its own thing?
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It doesn't take into consideration changing borders. For example on 1800 much of the World belonged to Britain (eg, the biggest example India). Switzerland didn't exist in 1800, so how could you have population data for it? Only in 1861 was Italy unified.
yeah good point and that probably would have warranted a note. it tries to calculate back what the population was for the countries as they are today. there's some questionable interpolation going on.
I would like the alternative, but that would require having a geojson of all historic borders and their populations. and then you'd still have to make a judgement call on Britain -- yes it ruled India, but should India not still show up as its own thing?