add map updates

LiamConnors · LiamConnors · commit 3ecefefa7d82 · 2025-08-05T15:05:19.000-04:00
diff --git a/doc/python/choropleth-maps.md b/doc/python/choropleth-maps.md
@@ -208,15 +208,16 @@ fig.show()
 Plotly comes with two built-in geometries which do not require an external GeoJSON file:
 
 1. USA States
-2. Countries as defined in the Natural Earth dataset.
+2. Countries
 
-**Note and disclaimer:** cultural (as opposed to physical) features are by definition subject to change, debate and dispute. Plotly includes data from Natural Earth "as-is" and defers to the [Natural Earth policy regarding disputed borders](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/50m-cultural-vectors/50m-admin-0-countries-2/) which read:
+In **Plotly.py 6.3 and later**, the built-in countries geometry is created from the following sources:
+- [UN data](https://geoportal.un.org/arcgis/sharing/rest/content/items/d7caaff3ef4b4f7c82689b7c4694ad92/data) for country borders, coastlines, and land layers.
+- Natural Earth data for oceans, lakes, rivers, and subunit layers.
 
-> Natural Earth Vector draws boundaries of countries according to defacto status. We show who actually controls the situation on the ground.
+In **earlier versions of Plotly.py**, the built-in countries geometry is based on Natural Earth data only. Plotly includes data from Natural Earth "as-is". This dataset draws boundaries of countries according to defacto status. See the [Natural Earth page for more details](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/50m-cultural-vectors/50m-admin-0-countries-2/).
 
 To use the built-in countries geometry, provide `locations` as [three-letter ISO country codes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-3).
 
-
 ```python
 import plotly.express as px
 
diff --git a/doc/python/map-configuration.md b/doc/python/map-configuration.md
@@ -51,7 +51,15 @@ Geo maps are outline-based maps. If your figure is created with a `px.scatter_ge
 
 ### Physical Base Maps
 
-Plotly Geo maps have a built-in base map layer composed of "physical" and "cultural" (i.e. administrative border) data from the [Natural Earth Dataset](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/). Various lines and area fills can be shown or hidden, and their color and line-widths specified. In the [default `plotly` template](/python/templates/), a map frame and physical features such as a coastal outline and filled land areas are shown, at a small-scale 1:110m resolution:
+Plotly Geo maps have a built-in base map layer composed of "physical" and "cultural" (i.e. administrative border) data.
+
+In **Plotly.py 6.3 and later**, the base map layer is created from the following sources:
+- [UN data](https://geoportal.un.org/arcgis/sharing/rest/content/items/d7caaff3ef4b4f7c82689b7c4694ad92/data) for country borders, coastlines, and land layers.
+- Natural Earth data for oceans, lakes, rivers, and subunit layers.
+
+In **earlier versions of Plotly.py**, the base map layer is based on Natural Earth data only. Plotly includes data from Natural Earth "as-is". This dataset draws boundaries of countries according to defacto status. See the [Natural Earth page for more details](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/50m-cultural-vectors/50m-admin-0-countries-2/).
+
+Various lines and area fills can be shown or hidden, and their color and line-widths specified. In the [default `plotly` template](/python/templates/), a map frame and physical features such as a coastal outline and filled land areas are shown, at a small-scale 1:110m resolution:
 
 ```python
 import plotly.graph_objects as go
@@ -102,9 +110,9 @@ fig.show()
 
 In addition to physical base map features, a "cultural" base map is included which is composed of country borders and selected sub-country borders such as states.
 
-**Note and disclaimer:** cultural features are by definition subject to change, debate and dispute. Plotly includes data from Natural Earth "as-is" and defers to the [Natural Earth policy regarding disputed borders](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/50m-cultural-vectors/50m-admin-0-countries-2/) which read:
+In **Plotly.py 6.3 and later**, this base map is created from [UN data](https://geoportal.un.org/arcgis/sharing/rest/content/items/d7caaff3ef4b4f7c82689b7c4694ad92/data).
 
-> Natural Earth Vector draws boundaries of countries according to defacto status. We show who actually controls the situation on the ground.
+In **earlier versions of Plotly.py**, this base map is based on Natural Earth data. Plotly includes data from Natural Earth "as-is". This dataset draws boundaries of countries according to defacto status. See the [Natural Earth page for more details](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/50m-cultural-vectors/50m-admin-0-countries-2/).
 
 **To create a map with your own cultural features** please refer to our [choropleth documentation](/python/choropleth-maps/).
 
