I'm cool with the small area. Either I'll get more or die trying I guess. I haven't done a Nation RP so if I end up not doing well I can have my little G Empire collapse internally or something to no ill effect.

I'm also cool with a ton of empty space. Just roleplay it's take over from native population/tribes/towns/nation-states and such I guess? Than you could have nations fight for stretches of unclaimed territory amongst themselves too.