London is direct to the sea, London was one of biggest trading ports in the world and it's docklands spread for mile after mile making it a hub for international trade, I understand the importance of a capital city to be protected from the sea but like Amsterdam, I can't see the major problem?
When I think of the Industrial Revolution, I think of the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire, Generally the North of England, Remember anything above Watford is classed as the North. The South is and was then a rural place, People dwell in small villages and not big industrial cities, I wanted to show this in my map. Personally being from the North I think we are always over shadowed by London and the South. The First Iron Bridge, In the North, The First Train Line, In the North, The First Industrial City, In the North, From my point of view my map is heavy northern because it represents England better and has more validity to it.
I've seen that the Rhineland has as many as 8 provinces? The West Midlands was equally superior to the Rhineland in Industrial output and should be allowed to mirror it. If it wasn't for the international reputation of the Rhineland would it have 8 provinces? No it would not! Yet it was Germany's industrial heartland and should be shown as that in the game, Just like the West Midlands should be, They don't call it The Black Country for nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7pnRgBan7c
An to tell the truth, Those cities I've added are and were the biggest in this time period, I can't see the need in having provinces in areas where populations didn't dwell in high numbers, Seems as if you are trying to balance the map rather than historical importance.