Best Multiplayer Maptype?

[Kolath]

I'm just getting back into FfH2 after taking a break since before BTS came out. I'm really loving all the new additions since .20! But I'm wondering if folks had any advice on the best maps for multiplayer games?

Some friends and I want to do some games on quick maps that allow enough room for decent expansion without being so huge we never run into eachother. So far we've just played on small balanced with low seas and 6 players.

We're thinking of upping the player count and moving up to standard size. But aren't sure of the best maps for balanced MP play.

What maps do you guys like to use in multiplayer?

[psychoak]

If you want more unusual maps, fractal is pretty nice.

[Isaiah]

We play Wheel and Hub. Lets you have room to grow, while providing some geographic defense. Also the AI doesn't handle ships well, so a land bridge to everyone gives the AI a chance in War

[WCH]

If you want to get swamped by barbarians, Highland is the way to go. Otherwise, Fractal.

[onedreamer]

the best maps for mp IMHO are Balanced and Pangaea. Balanced has more room for expansion before close borders than Pangaea. If you want more continents/islands then Hemispheres - Normal Continents - Islands - Islands mixed in.
If you don't want sea or only a limited amount of it, Highlands with water level Seas and scattered/thin mountain ranges.

[Uberness]

If you want the most balanced map with little variation, try Donut, grassland everywhere, and optional floodplains or water in center, everyone will start with rivers and grass and good resources, but is always the same.