As a quick note to those who read the Interest Check: You are no longer limited to playing nations strictly within the safe-zone. Vilage made a good point and I decided to open up the entire map. You can now put your nation wherever you want, so long as you keep in mind that, the further you are from the safe-zone, the worse off your nation will probably be. Same with city-states.

The pros and cons are this: Nations inside the safe-zone are relatively safe (not guaranteed safe though, especially those bordering the outskirts) and prosperous, but have little room to expand. Nations outside the safe-zone have plenty of room, and probably have more freedom from international laws, but are in more danger of wildlife and rebels and whatnot.