Los Angeles
A megacity squeezed between mountains and ocean
Nations 26
The Geography
Los Angeles is a tall regional map at 1800x2276 with an almost perfect split: 50% land and 50% water. That balance fits the real region well. The Pacific coast, mountain ranges, basins, islands, and urban corridors all compete for importance.
The map is not just a city map. It is a Southern California map, where the coastal plain, San Fernando Valley, mountain passes, ports, and offshore approaches create many ways to attack and defend. The result is a dense battlefield with 26 nations and very little wasted space.
The History
1781 - Pueblo de Los Angeles
Los Angeles began as a Spanish pueblo. Its inland basin location and access to coastal routes gave it room to grow.
1848 - California Changes Hands
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. Los Angeles later expanded through railroads, oil, water projects, ports, and entertainment.
20th Century - Megacity and Port Power
The Los Angeles region became one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are central to Pacific trade.
The Battlefield
Terrain Overview
Los Angeles is a dense mixed-terrain map. Mountains and water divide space, while urban corridors make expansion fast once a front breaks.
Best Spawns
- Basin centers - strong growth and access to several directions.
- Harbor approaches - powerful if you can combine naval reach with land depth.
- Valley positions - defensible openings with clear routes through passes.
Avoid
- Coastal overextension - a fleet can help, but land pressure can cut you off.
- Mountain-pocket starts - defensible does not always mean productive.
Strategic Insights
Los Angeles rewards flexible timing. You need enough land to survive the urban crush, but ignoring the coast lets rivals create surprise second fronts. Treat mountains as filters, not walls.
Fun Facts
- The Los Angeles region depends heavily on imported water from distant watersheds.
- Its port complex is one of the busiest in the Western Hemisphere.
- The upstream playlist gives Los Angeles a high frequency, so it should appear often.