I dunno actually... I usually run with "Random" map type

This way I get to experience each map type slowly one at a time.

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

check the modding section for "Ecomental"

I'm not looking for a mod..I want a description of the map types with %chance of terrian, water and mountains

Those arnt very helpful...core give the same empty info that the game does "rugged is a rugged map and swamp has swamps"...Stamps is TMI.cant find what I'm looking for. Where can I find what these mean ?

<Mountains>1</Mountains>
      <Arctic>0</Arctic>
      <Desert>1</Desert>
      <Chasms>1</Chasms>
      <Rugged>1</Rugged>
      <Fertile>1</Fertile>
      <Swamps>1</Swamps>
      <Forests>1</Forests>

I think any of the vanilla random map settings are at least somewhat mountain-y (ok, mountainous .)  I play on random as well, and after starting lots of games I have yet to run across any maps with few mountains.

I prefer mountains, it gives me a decent advantage over the AI in that the AI can't seem to recognize chokepoints created by blocking terrain, and its easier to limit avenues of attack against my cities.

Just go with it? Thats like popping a contain of unlabeled white pills for a headache. This is sooo stardock,.In Galciv 2 they pawned off 11 unique AIs when actually only 3-4 had instructions to let them function. If the info cant be found easily then I'm guessing this is more empty variable smoke and mirrors.

It's not really voodoo or mysterious... their map generator basically just fits together a bunch of "stamps", and then fill the cracks with water/plains. The type of maps dictate the type of stamps it uses to do that. All of the map types has "mountain" stamps. In order to get less mountains you want MORE of the other stamp types. There's actually 3 options for this: Swampy, Desert, or Broken. However, while Broken is not mountain, it still divide up the land, which isn't what you want. That leaves 2 left.

Of course the easiest way is to just make your own map. Generate one, and edit?

Heavenfall is doing he's best, there is honestly noone on the forum who knows the percentage of chance for mountains anywhere, all he says is the basic ideas of information can be found there in those files.

I speak broadly when I say "WE" have no clue what map you would prefer, even if you just say the least mountains, Heavenfall did give 2 map types to try out because they might be the ones, come on and be happy

Just want to defend myself and say I only tried to assist you with looking by giving the link, I figured you wasn't too much into a mod.

I do think a mod is the best solution though, if nothing else you COULD create 10 new stamps without mountains that is fairly open, this will make sure there is less chance for mountains to appear on your maps.

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

Yes, I get that, but as far as I can tell no "Swamp" style stamp exists. Nor "rugged". Least in My stamp folder. Got generic, chasams and fertile and a bunch of wildlands.

Thats my point..there are 3 map types not 9. And none of those 3 are primarily swampy or rugged or arctic. The primary difference is whether you have chasms or lots of settleable land.

You do understand you have to open up the stamps, yes? There are clearly stamps without mountains that have <Style> that are relevant to your question.

You might not be able to normally, but you can fairly easily if you put in some time to make/edit the stamps and map types. However to say that there are only 3 type of maps? (stamps?) isn't right at all. Even among the "generic" tiles, if you look through them, you'll see many different combinations. Some with mountains, some don't, some with chasm, some don't, some only has fertile forests, etc... there are actually many different types.

To generate Alaska or Hell, you'll need a map type that requires a certain style, say Arctic or Volcanic, then create a bunch of stamps that you want in that world with Arctic or Volcanic style. Press generate... and there you go.