True Start Location Maps

Learn about the True Start Location Earth map in Civilization VI. Discover advantageous and disadvantageous starting positions for your civilization and how to leverage them for victory.

Alright, let's talk about the True Start Location Earth map in Civilization VI. It's a really cool option that tries to place each civ right where they'd be in the real world. It's a bit different from the regular Earth map, where your starting spot is random. Here, you'll find yourself on the Japanese archipelago if you're playing as Japan, or in modern-day Iraq if you picked Sumeria. It's a neat way to experience history, but it also means some starting spots are way better than others. ### Advantageous Starts Some civs get a seriously sweet deal on this map: * Brazil: You're practically next door to the Pantanal, which means a huge boost to early Food and Culture. Plus, the Galápagos Islands are nearby, giving you a nice Science advantage. This is perfect for a Cultural Victory. * Māori: You've got a great shot at claiming all of the Americas before any European civs even show up. It's a pretty open field for you! * Arabia: Starting at the Suez Canal is a big deal. You can snag that Foreign Trade Inspiration quickly and get eyes on Africa before anyone else can even think about sailing there. * Byzantium: You're in a unique spot, potentially being able to create a canal connecting the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. That's a pretty strategic advantage. * India: Mount Everest is right there! This gives you a good chance to get an early Pantheon and start spreading your religion super fast. * Mali: You'll start in the southern Sahara, with all of West Africa open to you. You can build up tall cities surrounded by desert, grassland, and eventually, Oil. And hey, for those playing as European civs like Germany, France, or the Dutch, you'll often find yourselves pretty close together. This can lead to some early conflict, maybe even snagging an enemy Settler right off the bat. Just be ready for it!