When you begin your journey in Anno 117: Pax Romana, your first—and perhaps most defining—choice awaits: where to establish your first province. This isn’t just a visual decision between sunlit Italian plains and mist-shrouded Celtic marshes. It’s a strategic commitment that will determine your early success, your economy’s rhythm, and how you expand your empire for hours to come.
If you’ve ever hesitated at the province selection screen, unsure which path will bring long-term prosperity, this guide is for you. We’ll break down every difference between Latium and Albion, helping you pick the perfect starting point—whether you’re a new governor or a seasoned Anno veteran ready for a frontier challenge.
Latium: The Roman Heartland (Recommended for Beginners)
The Classic Anno Experience
Latium is the ideal province for anyone new to Anno 117 or the series as a whole. Think of it as a safe sandbox—a balanced, stable introduction to all of Anno’s systems. The gameplay progression follows the traditional Roman path, letting you focus on learning economic flow, production efficiency, and trade networks without extra layers of cultural complexity.
Environmental Advantages for Smooth Expansion
With its fertile rolling plains and open terrain, Latium offers generous room for expansion. You won’t be battling uneven landscapes or swampy terrain here—just building freely, efficiently, and cleanly. This flexibility makes it easier to experiment with perfect building layouts, optimizing your production chains and tax zones with minimal frustration.
Simplified Population Management
Latium’s citizens follow a linear class progression: from Liberti to Plebeians and onward through Rome’s social hierarchy. You’ll only manage one consistent cultural tree at a time, making it easy to learn how needs, taxes, and production chains evolve across tiers. It’s the perfect training ground for governors who want to master the fundamentals before diving into complex cultural management.
Albion: The Celtic Frontier (For the Strategic Challenge)
The Defining Cultural Choice
Albion immediately raises the stakes with one of Anno 117’s standout features: the cultural duality system. When your Waders advance, you must choose between Celtic Smiths or Romanized Mercators—a decision that reshapes your entire province. Your choice determines not just aesthetics but production chains, citizen needs, and even available research paths. It’s a bold, high-stakes decision that rewards thoughtful governors with a deeply replayable experience.
Advanced City Planning Requirements
Albion’s marshy, uneven landscape introduces a new level of complexity. Buildings like the Eel Grabber can only be placed on marsh terrain, forcing you to carefully plan your layout and resource flow. Strategic zoning becomes essential—you’ll balance production efficiency against terrain limitations from the very start.
Depth for Experienced Players
Albion is less forgiving but far more rewarding. Its strength lies in managing dual cultural identities and diverse production needs. Every decision—whether to Romanize your citizens or preserve Celtic traditions—shapes not only your economy but the narrative identity of your province. It’s an experience tailor-made for players who thrive on micromanagement and long-term strategy.
Strategic Comparison: Which Province Matches Your Playstyle?
Choose Latium If...
✅ This is your first Anno game or you prefer a simpler progression curve
✅ You want unrestricted city planning with minimal terrain challenges
✅ You enjoy economic stability and predictable citizen development
✅ You prefer gradual complexity and linear advancement
Choose Albion If...
🔥 You’re an experienced player who enjoys strategic depth and challenge
🔥 You love terrain-based puzzles and layout efficiency
🔥 You want branching cultural paths and dynamic role-playing
🔥 You enjoy managing long-term cause-and-effect gameplay choices
Advanced Strategy: Managing Dual Cultures in Albion
Want the ultimate test of Roman governance? Try maintaining both Celtic Smiths and Roman Mercators in one province. This hybrid strategy unlocks unique production benefits and flexibility but comes at a steep cost: you’ll need two distinct supply chains, careful workforce zoning, and meticulous economic balancing.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward playstyle suited for late-game governors seeking to create the most versatile and culturally complex province possible.
Conclusion: Building Your Legacy in the Right Province
Your province choice defines your Roman story. Latium offers order, structure, and predictable prosperity—a perfect training ground for those who wish to master the empire’s fundamentals. Albion, on the other hand, is the wild frontier—demanding, rewarding, and rich with strategic and cultural intrigue.
There’s no wrong answer—only what kind of Roman leader you aspire to be. Many players eventually try both paths to experience the full spectrum of Anno 117’s systems and storytelling.
So, governor—will your empire rise from the heartland or the frontier?
Share your choice below, and may your province thrive under your wise rule.
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