I've proposed this 2 years ago and other people have proposed similar things as well. But since the next patch will include some much-anticipated map revisions, I would like to repeat the proposal for a few relatively simple changes that will make the Netherlands completely perfect.
1. Border correction of existing provinces
This is extremely insignificant on the larger EU IV scale, but I would like to see a small border correction in the Netherlands, so the province of Gelre borders the province of Holland. (see the map below: I'm referring to the Southwestern part of Gelre/Gelderland)
As a result of this the provinces of Utrecht and 'Breda' should no longer border each other. The small piece of land that would move to Gelre (mostly the Betuwe region) has in fact been part of the county/duchy/province since the Middle Ages.
It's not purely an aesthetic change, since the fact that different provinces border each other also has strategic gameplay consequences. Gelre and Holland should be able to attack each other without having to go through Utrecht or Brabant.
No new provinces needed for this change: very simple redrawing, will make me very happy.
2. Add the province of Overijssel/Oversticht
One of the historic provinces of the Netherlands. It was owned by Utrecht in the 1444 start, so doesn't require a new tag. It could possibly have a tag in 1528, but I don't think this is important. The province adds a new dimension to Utrecht, which stops being a OPM and instead is split into two non-connected parts.
3. Add the province (and possibly tag) of Groningen
The situation of Groningen was a bit complicated: the countryside was mostly ruled by Friesland, while the city proper had become de facto independent from the Bishopric of Utrecht in 1392. So I'd propose: make it a separate province owned by Friesland, but possibly include a new tag that can be released from Friesland to become an independent lordship, as historically happened in 1536.
4. Add the province of Drenthe.
The third province to be added is Drenthe. It should be very poor (like 1/1/1). Just like Overijssel, it should be owned by Utrecht in the 1444 start. No new tag needed.
So, the way I see it, three new provinces and 1 border correction between existing ones, would massively improve the Netherlands and leave nothing left to desire for this area. Of course I understand the Low Countries are already quite densely populated in comparison to other areas, but these small changes would make it look much better and enhance gameplay here. Clickability should not be a problem, as each of the new provinces would still be bigger then Utrecht, Zeeland, Antwerp etc. Ownership of the new provinces should also be required for forming the Netherlands.
The two maps below show the situation about 90 years before the start of the game and the provinces within the Dutch Republic a century and a half later. I'd take the second map as a blueprint for the province borders, but the first one for the ownership at the start date.
P.S. I know everyone has their own regions they'd like to see improved and I think it's great everyone makes suggestions for different parts of the world: so please don't turn this into another discussion about which other part of the world should be improved FIRST.
Edit 6 March: See the map below for a visualisation of these 4 changes. One small addition: since the small province of Utrecht loses some territory to Gelre, it should be expanded a little bit in the West (give it a tiny part of Holland) to keep it clickable. Moreover, this also corresponds to the two maps above!
Edit (6 March): see the discussion below for other possible changes that have been proposed. Notably: adding Upper-Gelre/Roermond, dividing Holland into 2 provinces, adding Tournai in the Flanders region.
1. Border correction of existing provinces
This is extremely insignificant on the larger EU IV scale, but I would like to see a small border correction in the Netherlands, so the province of Gelre borders the province of Holland. (see the map below: I'm referring to the Southwestern part of Gelre/Gelderland)
As a result of this the provinces of Utrecht and 'Breda' should no longer border each other. The small piece of land that would move to Gelre (mostly the Betuwe region) has in fact been part of the county/duchy/province since the Middle Ages.
It's not purely an aesthetic change, since the fact that different provinces border each other also has strategic gameplay consequences. Gelre and Holland should be able to attack each other without having to go through Utrecht or Brabant.
No new provinces needed for this change: very simple redrawing, will make me very happy.
2. Add the province of Overijssel/Oversticht
One of the historic provinces of the Netherlands. It was owned by Utrecht in the 1444 start, so doesn't require a new tag. It could possibly have a tag in 1528, but I don't think this is important. The province adds a new dimension to Utrecht, which stops being a OPM and instead is split into two non-connected parts.
3. Add the province (and possibly tag) of Groningen
The situation of Groningen was a bit complicated: the countryside was mostly ruled by Friesland, while the city proper had become de facto independent from the Bishopric of Utrecht in 1392. So I'd propose: make it a separate province owned by Friesland, but possibly include a new tag that can be released from Friesland to become an independent lordship, as historically happened in 1536.
4. Add the province of Drenthe.
The third province to be added is Drenthe. It should be very poor (like 1/1/1). Just like Overijssel, it should be owned by Utrecht in the 1444 start. No new tag needed.
So, the way I see it, three new provinces and 1 border correction between existing ones, would massively improve the Netherlands and leave nothing left to desire for this area. Of course I understand the Low Countries are already quite densely populated in comparison to other areas, but these small changes would make it look much better and enhance gameplay here. Clickability should not be a problem, as each of the new provinces would still be bigger then Utrecht, Zeeland, Antwerp etc. Ownership of the new provinces should also be required for forming the Netherlands.
The two maps below show the situation about 90 years before the start of the game and the provinces within the Dutch Republic a century and a half later. I'd take the second map as a blueprint for the province borders, but the first one for the ownership at the start date.
Netherlands, 1350: shows the border between Gelre and Holland, as well as the division of Utrecht over two territories.
Provinces of the Republic of the Netherlands in the 1600s: I would use these borders for the provinces
Provinces of the Republic of the Netherlands in the 1600s: I would use these borders for the provinces
P.S. I know everyone has their own regions they'd like to see improved and I think it's great everyone makes suggestions for different parts of the world: so please don't turn this into another discussion about which other part of the world should be improved FIRST.
Edit 6 March: See the map below for a visualisation of these 4 changes. One small addition: since the small province of Utrecht loses some territory to Gelre, it should be expanded a little bit in the West (give it a tiny part of Holland) to keep it clickable. Moreover, this also corresponds to the two maps above!
Edit (6 March): see the discussion below for other possible changes that have been proposed. Notably: adding Upper-Gelre/Roermond, dividing Holland into 2 provinces, adding Tournai in the Flanders region.
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West Friesland, Friesland, Groningen, East Friesland and Schleswig
