The map seems to be too big as it is. Large swaths are left NPC, which makes getting around or conducting regional politics difficult. I know the map was just expanded eastwards, to allow the Timurids, Sibir, etc., but that whole area is only partially filled (not to mention North Africa, the Balkans, Germany, Poland and Lithuania), and I think that BA put the limit there to prevent those border states from being too powerful. I don't think there's much for them to do right now, either.
driftwood
driftwood