Last updated: 17 October 2026. This page explains the principal sources of geographic and directory information used by Mena Network, how we adapt them, and the limits you should keep in mind. An attribution identifies a source; it does not imply sponsorship, official recognition, or a guarantee that every record is correct.
1. Country and city database
Country and city choices are served from the platform's own database. The geographic catalog includes records imported from GeoNames, including populated places and other named locations for the countries currently enabled. When a country is selected, the interface loads a limited set of matching records and supports searching for further places. Not appearing in the initial list does not mean that a place is absent from the database.
2. GeoNames attribution and licence
GeoNames geographical data is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0). Source: GeoNames, www.geonames.org; downloadable datasets are available from the GeoNames export directory. The platform imports, filters, combines, and localizes source records. This includes Arabic-name normalization, removal of diacritics, and generated transliterations where suitable source names were unavailable. These adaptations are Mena Network's, not an endorsement by GeoNames.
3. Place names, translations, and boundaries
Arabic, English, and Turkish labels may reflect source spellings, established alternatives, editorial corrections, or generated transliterations. Similar names can refer to different locations, and spelling may differ from local usage. Coordinates are reference points and may identify a settlement centre rather than an address. Country labels, flags, map presentation, and geographic groupings are navigation aids, not statements on sovereignty, legal boundaries, nationality, or political recognition.
4. Maps and tiles
The talent map uses Leaflet software and map tiles from OpenStreetMap. Map data attribution: © OpenStreetMap contributors. OpenStreetMap data is available under the Open Database Licence, with further attribution and tile-use conditions described by the provider. Tile requests connect the browser to an external service. A professional's displayed location is profile information and must not be treated as live tracking, an exact address, or proof of current availability.
5. IP-based information
When visitor enrichment is enabled, the configured IP-check provider supplies approximate country or city, network information, and security indicators. The integration supports DNS-Proxy IP-check; the configured provider may change. These results are separate from the city selected in a member's profile. VPNs, shared networks, mobile routing, and outdated records can make IP-based location inaccurate. A proxy or bot indicator alone does not establish fraud or identify a person. See the Privacy Policy for processing and recipient information.
6. Member-provided content
Profiles, portfolios, organization descriptions, opportunities, budgets, and project requirements generally come from members or platform administration, not from GeoNames or OpenStreetMap. Their authors are responsible for accuracy and their right to publish. A verification status is a limited manual review outcome, not independent confirmation of every statement. Third-party media and linked websites retain their own rights and policies.
7. Corrections, freshness, and reuse
The database is not a live copy of every source and updates may not appear immediately. Check important locations, names, and travel or assignment decisions against suitable official and local sources. To report an error, email [email protected] with the country, place name, page, proposed correction, and a reliable public reference. Avoid sending private addresses or unnecessary personal data. Reuse of source datasets must follow their own licences; a source's open licence does not automatically license member photographs, personal data, trademarks, or all platform content.