I'm sorry, maybe I should have explained what is meant by "Rise of Nations". So, our nations aren't really alive yet. They're ideals, floated by people that have so far banded together and fronted a working society. They're not pre-built. They're not "there". They're "rising", and that is to say, they're being built. By any and all means necessary.

If your nation started with 350,000 people, and occupied Florida. Well, it isn't rising is it? It's an established power, it's [i]risen[/i]! 

If you're telling me that NONE of you have any idea of how to found and establish a nation, then Great Scot! Turn that imagination machine of yours on, and stop relying on that set-menu mentality.