Colonization Terrain Types

TUNDRA

This rather cold, open land can produce a minimal amount of food, but little other agriculture; however, you often find ore here.

DESERT

These dry, sparse areas are difficult places to grow food (although it is possible). You can sometimes mine ore here, though.

PLAINS

These are areas good for growing a wide variety of foods. You can grow a little cotton here as well. Food grows most abundantly here.

PRAIRIE

This is relatively flat, open land, ideal for production of cotton; you can also grow food crops here. Cotton grows most abundantly here.

GRASSLAND

Fertile soil in temperate areas, this is perfect for tobacco growing; you can also harvest food here. Tobacco grows most abundantly here.

SAVANNAH

Rich, moist soil specially suited for growing sugar cane; this land is good for food production, as well. Sugar cane grows most abundantly here.

MARSH

A wet, briny area, this is where the sea meets the land. You can grow some foods here, and you can find ore in abundance.

SWAMP

These low wetlands often harbor bog deposits of ore. You can grow a little food and some sugar cane here, as well.

BORREAL FOREST

This is cold wooded country that is good for fur trapping and woodcutting. Becomes Tundra (good for ore) if cleared.

SCRUB FOREST

This is dry barren country with scattered vegetation. Some ore may be found in these areas. Becomes Desert (good for ore) if cleared.

MIXED FOREST

This is temperate wooded country that is good for fur trapping and woodcutting. Becomes Plains (good for food) if cleared.

BROADLEAF FOREST

This is temperate wooded country that is good for fur trapping and woodcutting. Becomes Prairie (good for cotton) if cleared.

CONIFER FOREST

This is temperate, wooded country that is good for fur trapping and woodcutting. Becomes Grassland (good for tobacco) if cleared.

TROPICAL FOREST

This is humid wooded country that is good for woodcutting and trapping fur. Becomes Savannah (good for sugar) if cleared.

WETLAND FOREST

This is tropical wooded country that is good for woodcutting, trapping fur, and mining ore. Becomes Marsh (good for ore) if cleared.

RAIN FOREST

This is Tropical jungle country that is good for woodcutting, some sugar, and ore. Becomes Swamp (good for ore) if cleared.

ARCTIC

Cold and icy, the arctic is almost incapable of supporting life.

OCEAN

This is the wide open water of the sea. It is useful for fishing, especially along the coasts, and in fisheries.

SEA LANE

This is open ocean that leads to standard sea routes from the New World to Europe, and vice-versa. To return to Europe, a ship only has to enter a sea lane then move toward the east or west.

MOUNTAINS

These are large areas of mountainous terrain, difficult for travel, but likely sources of ore and silver. Colonies cannot be established in mountain terrain. Silver and ore are abundant in these areas.

HILLS

A gently rolling area that offers easy access to ore; you can also develop some agriculture here. Ore is abundant here.