@Dimes
I believe that the personality of Yuri Patrikeev had more impact on the course of world history then the existence of Finnmark, just like Bonaparte had probably more impact then, say, Smolensk, which, mind you, was a rather important princedom. I.e. I'd rather leave out Smolensk then Bonaparte in a game about 1419-1820. That may sound bizarre to you, but that's my personal view.
But historicity is not everything in our mod, of course, and as Muscovy of the first half of 15th century should not be expanding it's territory at all, we might be forced to drop or weaken this leader. That said, I don't think Patrikeev is the reason for Moscow being able to take Finnmark. The true reason is the fact that a colony bordering my realm is inviting me to step in, take it without BB and convert it to my culture &religion with one colonist. If it is as strategically important as Finnmark and Narvik, it's a definite thing. And map stealing does reveal sea maps, afaik. Thus, a Russian-orthodox Iceland is very attractive. When I get my (admittedly late-game) explorers, these provinces pay off their values, plus I'm able to strike at any place of Europe.
@Galleblaere
Moving 100000 men over Sinai was (and is) far more feasible then crossing to Norway over Kola. You should bless this fact, as else, Norway would get liberated by the Red Army in 1944/45, with all the consequences for that country. As for turks invading India, it's not geography's fault but the failure of Persia, which should and will get strengthened. I know Danish fought Swedes for who could in theory call himself 'the ruler of Finnmark', it's just the same with Ivan arguing with the Swedes over Kola, without neither army ever penetrating that area. BTW, besides the Swedes have royally beaten our ass 1560-1618, taking whatever they wanted and thinking of gobbling up Novgorod, they still did not impose their rule over Kola, because it was a frozen wood with a few wild inhabitants and zero economical importance. In game, however, Sweden WILL want to take Kola after a major war, while Russia WILL be sending troops into Norway. It's the very same nonsence as, say, colonizing the interior of Greenland. Humbug irritating the ai. I don't think these provinces have more importance then Sahara interior, because there, you had some trade routes and state-like Bedouin/Tuareg tribes. In Himalaya, you had some rather big towns and a high culture. The importance of Kola/Finmark is the same as the importance of the uncharted rain forests of Brazil!
@Josip
Did I tell you thanks for that map? Not, then: thank you. But now to some problems, as I took a closer look at it.
1. We have some rather big provinces around there, anyway, so I don't think we need a province between Samara and Bashkiria. In fact, there is nothing of importance in between. I know my proposal crowds the west and makes the east quite province-less, but that's the weird economic situation of my motherland in that time frame. The lands between Volga valley and Ural mountains were not really important and sparsely populated for most of the time frame. Samara, Ufa and Orenburg were the only noteworthy population centres of that are by 19th century. Thinking of it, Kamenny Poyas, plus a part of Togliatti and Uralsk could go PTI. Rest of Togliatti and Uralsk would be divided between it's neighbours, so we have these three provinces
2. I see you don't include the river after all. Then merge Lukomorie and Arkhangelsk. Don't worry, we'll make it three month to pass through. Same with Kola and Karelia.
3. See? Anti-Strunt also likes it. We'll convince Bash, sooner or later
4. Why is Kaluga south of Smolensk? If it should be included, then it should include Vyazma and thus separate Moscow from Smolensk. Also, Smolensk is south of Velikie Luki or Memel. Know what? Just shift the names of your Smolensk and Kaluga, expand that new Smolensk province on expense of Kursk and Mozyr and it's close to all right.
5. Make Ryazan larger on expense of Tambov and Voronezh provinces. Can you see Yelets or Lipetsk in your Atlas? Ryazan should stretch till one of these towns.
6. Do you think you can fit in a Bryansk between Kursk, Mozyr, Smolensk and Chernigov, bordering all 4 provinces? Would be neat. But in these lands, I feel we'll need to cooperate with our polish members.
7. As Anti-Strunt pointed out, remove the hydro plants, especially at Rybinsk and on Dniepr.
