My hardest battles on medium levels are not fought via military way but every single game the most difficult aspect is conquering land. 
Every time when my Capitol is sized 3 the starter says : " Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines... " and the the " Indianapolis Settler Race " take place. My enemies furiously found cities everywhere , even on on the desert , their mission is to conquer everything.
They all have the same behaviour even on later eras where their mission is to conquer everything on the earth.Several times I have seen cities founded on isle made by 1 earth tile only.On Epic speed,small maps,my 5-6 enemies have always average at least 15-20 cities.....
Wasn't Civ IV supposed to be less Expanionistic inclined ?

Every time when my Capitol is sized 3 the starter says : " Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines... " and the the " Indianapolis Settler Race " take place. My enemies furiously found cities everywhere , even on on the desert , their mission is to conquer everything.
They all have the same behaviour even on later eras where their mission is to conquer everything on the earth.Several times I have seen cities founded on isle made by 1 earth tile only.On Epic speed,small maps,my 5-6 enemies have always average at least 15-20 cities.....
Wasn't Civ IV supposed to be less Expanionistic inclined ?