Lousy production speed

In my latest game, I'm playing on a standard size map and has established several cities that grow pretty fast; but the production speed is awful! Some 4 or 6 size pop cities takes like 30 turns to make a swordman!!!

I've tried to give every city at least 5 squares space between each other, and irritigates (spelling?) only grasslands (except some exceptions off course ). I've got some mines, but it still has lousy production speed.

Regular build order so far: Worker -> Worker -> [Military unit] -> Temple -> Marketplace -> Granary.

Any tips on how to improve?

 

"at least 5 squares space between each other"?

Your main problem is probably that you should do exactly the opposite. Put as many cities as possible three squares from your capital, and from the city that has the Forbidden Palace (which you should always build if you want high production). This will minimize waste - red shields.

Secondarily: waste decreses with government type:
Despotism---monarchy---republic---democracy.
But even with democracy, far away cities take time to reach a production of even 2 shields per turn. (That's why it might be worth sacrificing a Leader to make The Forbidden Palace.)

Putting cities close to the capital means they will have to share a few squares, but is necessary to get good production early in the game. Sometimes I put cities only two squares from each other. It's worth it if they only have 20% waste.

Hope to see you henceforth!

 

(Smile. that is!)

 

You need some cities next to the hills, and put mines on 2-3 hills. Those cities become the big producers. If they also have a good food resource they will be very powerful. I'm playing a game where my capital has two cows and about 10 hills to work with. Production is awesome. Any city without hills will be a weak producer, but they are good for workers/settlers.