The colony tile

Some terrain types are more suitable for establishing a colony than others. Colonies can not be built on Arctic tiles, nor on Mountains, because these terrain types produce no Grain. Hills and Deserts are less suitable than other tiles because they produce less food, which is very important in the long run. Tiles with forest generally produce less food than tiles without, but Pioneers are able to cut down the forest and plow the tile, which will increase food production. The presence of a river will also increase food production.

The Hills produce a small amount of Grain, and can be mined for Ore and a lesser amount of Silver. The Mountains are unsuitable for agriculture, but yield some Ore and Silver. Arctic tiles are the least useful type of terrain, as they produce nothing at all. Terrain types that produce no Grain, such as the Mountains and Arctic types, can not support colonies.

The New World is also irrigated by minor and major rivers. The production of most types of Goods is increased by the presence of rivers and roads, which your Pioneers can build. All terrain types which produce Grain (except the Hills) can also be cleared or plowed by your Pioneers. In the case of open land, plowing increases the production of Grain and most other types of goods. In the case of forests, clearing removes the forest and transforms the tile into open land: Boreal Forest is transformed into Tundra, Mixed Forest into Plains, Conifer Forest into Grassland, Tropical Forest into Savannah, Wetland Forest into Marsh, Rain Forest into Swamp, Scrub Forest into Desert, and Broadleaf Forest into Prairie.