This page explains how data in PopAtlas is structured, aggregated, and interpreted. Understanding these principles will help you read charts and comparisons correctly.

Data aggregation

Population and cultural data in PopAtlas is aggregated primarily at the country level. Countries serve as the main analytical unit across the project.

Regional and global summaries are derived from country-level data and are intended for comparative and exploratory purposes.

Presence vs dominance

Cultural data (languages and religions) is represented through presence. Presence indicates that a language or religion exists within a country.

Presence does not imply dominance, exclusivity, or majority status unless explicitly stated.

Percentages and totals

Percentages shown in charts and tables may not sum to 100%.

Missing data does not imply zero values. Incomplete or partial coverage reflects limitations of available public sources.

World-level data

The World entity in PopAtlas functions as a navigational and structural container.

It is not treated as an analytical unit equivalent to countries or regions, and world-level values should be interpreted as contextual overviews rather than precise aggregates.

Scope and intent

PopAtlas is designed for structural comparison and exploration. It prioritizes clarity, comparability, and geographic context over exact real-time statistics.