For those that thought the maps in Civ IV are smaller than Civ 3, I finally understand why some of you think this. It may not be obvious that the map sizes in Civ 4 are dynamic and change based on the map type you select. A large map of Continents is not the same size as a large map of Pangea.

In playing my own games I couldn't understand why starting a huge map in "Pangea" and a ton of opponents had them right on top of me, but when playing a map on "Continents" and the same number of opponents - it took many more turns to find just one opponent. So after categorizing all the map types from Sirian's reference guide it finally made more sense.

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Civ IV Map Size Guide
This information is taken from Sirian’s Mapguide readme. Goal here is to easily show you all maps are not created equal (in size). Playing a game with 15 opponents (even selecting the same “map size”) will have Pangaea opponents much closer to you than if you played your game with Continents.


104 x 64
Terra

84 x 52
Archipelago
Balanced
Continents
Custom Continents
Islands

84 x 36
Ice Age

64 x 64
Tilted Axis

64 x 40
Highlands
Hub
Pangaea
Ring
Wheel

65 x 32
Maze

52 x 32
Inland Sea
Lakes
Mirror
Oasis

44 x 32
Great Plains

Link to guide: http://www.jeffpinard.com/Civ%20IV%20Map%20Size%20Guide.doc

You failed to mention what size you chose for this mapset. Was it normal?

And could I have a link to Sirian's mapguide if I don't end up finding it myself?

Yes normal.

Sirian's excellent thread:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=134226

Actually Sirian's says that Maze is 56 x 32 not 65 x 32

Any info on the other sizes for each type (Huge Maze, Duel Great plains, etc.)