If you are new to the game I would recommend a small continents setup.
Small because it's easier to get the big picture, continents because you will have some early neighbours and late you will meet the other continent.
If you are new to TBS I would start on warlord, otherwise prince or king.
Good early builds for me are one or two scouts. On a small map I would just build one.
In the early game try to develop technogy so you can use all the resources around you.
Build a small army to stay safe, then build more cities to get more resources, but keep track of you happiness. More cities and more population drains your happiness.