A decentralized land registration prototype demonstrating blockchain principles for secure, transparent, and immutable property records in Ethiopia
# MERETCHAIN - Ethiopian Land Registry System
A decentralized land registration prototype demonstrating blockchain principles for secure, transparent, and immutable property records in Ethiopia.
## Overview
MERETCHAIN (መሬትChain) is a web-based proof-of-concept for a blockchain-inspired land registry system. It demonstrates how distributed ledger technology can be applied to solve land ownership disputes and improve transparency in property registration.
## Features
- **Dual Portal System**: Separate interfaces for citizens and administrators
- **Land Plot Registration**: Register new land plots with GPS coordinates and relational location data
- **Ownership Transfer**: Record transactions and ownership changes with full audit trail
- **Immutable History**: Complete transaction history for each plot
- **Public Verification**: Citizens can verify ownership and view transaction history
- **Secure Admin Access**: Password and access key authentication for administrators
- **Data Export/Import**: Backup and restore ledger data in JSON format
- **Search Functionality**: Search by plot ID, owner name, or GPS coordinates
- **Relational Mapping**: Record neighboring plots (North, South, East, West)
## Technology Stack
- **Frontend**: HTML5, CSS3, Vanilla JavaScript
- **Storage**: Browser LocalStorage (client-side database)
- **Maps Integration**: Google Maps API for GPS visualization
- **Design**: Responsive CSS with Ethiopian cultural elements
## Project Structure
```
MERETCHAIN/
├── index.html # Landing page with portal selection
├── citizen.html # Public portal for land verification
├── admin.html # Admin portal for registration and transactions
├── script.js # Core application logic and data management
├── style.css # Styling and responsive design
├── README.md # Project documentation
└── LICENSE # MIT License
```
## How It Works
### Data Structure
Each land plot is stored with:
- Plot ID (uni …