Conceptual Rather Than In-Game Difference Between Grassland and Plains?

[EndoConvert]

Okay, I know the difference between grassland and plains in-game (grassland gives 2 food and 0 hammers, whereas plains gives 1 food and 1 hammer), but what is the difference conceptually between what Civ 5 means by "grassland" and what they mean by "plains"? In real life, those two words are used by most people to mean the same type of terrain.

 

[skallben]

The pedia doesnt say?

 

[EndoConvert]

The pedia doesnt say?

No. It's horrible and even though it explicitly labels the information as "Historical Info," the info is in-game information instead:

Plains

Historical Info:
Plains provide a mix of food and production to a nearby city. A city surrounded by plains will grow more slowly than one in grassland, but it will be far more productive.

Grassland

Historical Info:
Generally, grassland provides the most food of any terrain types. Cities constructed near to grassland will tend to grow faster than cities built elsewhere. Grassland's major drawback is the defensive penalty that an unprepared unit might get if attacked in a grassland.

 

[esemjay]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassland

Plains are flat swaths of land. Grasslands are Plains that are covered in grass. However, Prairies can also be Plains; but a Prairie and a Grassland are different.

I assume that, by "Plain", they actually mean "any plain that isn't a grassland."

 

[EndoConvert]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassland

Plains are flat swaths of land. Grasslands are Plains that are covered in grass. However, Prairies can also be Plains; but a Prairie and a Grassland are different.

I assume that, by "Plain", they actually mean "any plain that isn't a grassland."

Thanks for the reply, but I don't think that actually makes sense. If:

-"plains are flat swaths of land"
-"grasslands are plains that are covered in grass"
-"by 'plain,' they actually mean 'any plain that isn't a grassland'"

...then put those three statements together and we get that "plains are flat swaths of land without grass."

Which makes no sense. Flat swaths of land without grass would be more like desert or tundra, not plains.

 

[esemjay]

Thanks for the reply, but I don't think that actually makes sense. If:

-"plains are flat swaths of land"
-"grasslands are plains that are covered in grass"
-"by 'plain,' they actually mean 'any plain that isn't a grassland'"

...then put those three statements together and we get that "plains are flat swaths of land without grass."

Which makes no sense. Flat swaths of land without grass would be more like desert or tundra, not plains.

All Beebs are Bobs; however, a Bib is also a Bob. Therefor, not all Bobs are Beebs.

They're very similar- but the difference between a Grassland, Savannah and Prairie are basically the ecosystem that occupies it. Types of grass, kinds of animals, soil composition, etc.

 

[Yzman]

The African Savannah is plains. It is a drier type climate, usually yellowish color grasses/plants.

The Breadbox of America ( flat lands in middle of country) are grasslands. They are very fertile, receive a lot of rain etc.

 

[EndoConvert]

The African Savannah is plains. It is a drier type climate, usually yellowish color grasses/plants.

The Breadbox of America ( flat lands in middle of country) are grasslands. They are very fertile, receive a lot of rain etc.

Okay, but why would African savannah result in more hammers than the American breadbasket?

 

[Nares]

Okay, but why would African savannah result in more hammers than the American breadbasket?

Grasslands - open arable land good for farming or grazing. Plains - open dry land, used now for strip malls, parking lots, office complexes, industrial complexes, etc.

It's rooted in a more agrarian society, which is generally what defines the history of civilization.

Or let Wikipedia answer it for you.

Grasslands
Plains

 

[Bibor]

Since CIV1 I presumed plains are flatlands that have more production-based features (batches of forests, rugged terrain, low hills) and are overall drier than grasslands that are fertile and open, but lack other geographical features.

Plains:

Spoiler :

Grassland:

Spoiler :

 

[GCavalry]

Use the Civ wiki: http://civilization.wikia.com/wiki/Civilization_Games_Wiki
"Plains are open areas that differ from Grasslands in having poorer soil but better resources of timber and minerals. They are poor food producers unless irrigated".

By the way, I think Flood plain is a failed concept in Civ5, they cannot give more food to Flood plains so it is weaker than grassland. I give Wheat 1 more food to compensate that and more exciting to find Wheat.

 

[Zyxpsilon]

I may speak from a Canadian perspective when it comes to major differences between our Plains & Grasslands;

-- Wheat of the Prairies (Saskatchewan & Manitoba) are considered Plains.
-- All other areas where some basic agriculture can be deployed are grasslands such as what is located in Ontario's central & North of Lake Huron, Quebec's St-Lawrence valley & the Townships South-East, etc.
-- Alberta's cattle Industry is also dependent on some rare but extremely rich Grassland regions.


There's also the fact that etymology has a lot to do with how some plains are sometimes considered farmland (thus, indirectly Grassland) - here at least.

But that's reality... CiV is just a game where anything goes - as it should, IMO.