Oh poo.



I agree. In fact, it almost seems as if the last 1,000 years has been entirely a period of decay. In addition to all the other recessions I mentioned before, we also saw the Blight expanding further South during this period, most notably by consuming Malkier.

There are fertile, wealthy nations that have abundant resources (Andor and Cairhien) who have all but relinquished their claims on still fertile and productive lands. I can understand the Borderlands not enlarging to the South because their focus has to be to the Blight, but all of that empty land between Cairhien and Shienar should be claimed and adequately filled. The Aiel War isn't enough reason for that land to be empty. Tarabon and Arad Doman shouldn't mutually agree to leave a whole country's worth of land empty, especially when it has a significant urban population in Falme. There's no reason for Far Madding not to claim the Plains of Maredo as previous nations based in Far Madding had done.

A counter example is in the south. Ghealdan, Lugard, Illian, and Amadicia are all tightly packed together, and apparently regularly have wars over their respective borders. Yet, there's the entire Shadow Coast to the south of Amadicia that is unclaimed.



I hope there's an explanation. It just seems so glaring....