Overview

This project is an interactive web application that visualizes reported Bigfoot sightings across the United States. Using real sighting data provided through a public JSON dataset, the application allows users to explore historical reports on an interactive map and view details about each location.

The goal of this project was to combine front-end mapping tools with external data sources to create an engaging and informative visualization. By integrating mapping technology with real-world datasets, the application demonstrates how APIs and JSON data can be used to power dynamic web experiences.

Process

This project is an interactive map that displays reported Bigfoot sightings across the United States. The application was built using PHP, JavaScript, and the Leaflet mapping library. I located a public dataset containing Bigfoot sighting reports in a JSON file, which included location coordinates and related information. Using JavaScript and Leaflet, I parsed the JSON data and displayed each sighting as a marker on the map.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was correctly connecting and working with the JSON dataset. Initially, understanding how the data was structured and accessing the correct properties caused issues when displaying the markers. After researching documentation and testing different approaches, I was able to properly parse the JSON data and connect it to the Leaflet map.

Outcome

The final result is a fully functional interactive map that allows users to explore reported Bigfoot sightings across the United States over the past century. Users can click on map markers to view information about each sighting, including the location, date, and description. This project strengthened my understanding of working with JSON data, external APIs, and interactive mapping tools in JavaScript.