OpenGeofiction
Hello, brave mappers out there! Before the new continents were created, I already had the idea that my southwestern coast could benefit from a warm maritime stream which brings a mild climate to the shores. Now that the new continents are there, I would propose something like a “gulf stream” and hope that my proposal is okay with you.
Discussion
Comment from Leowezy on 25 December 2015 at 23:27
Well this comment ended up being very long, sorry for that… :§
Unfortunately I don’t have any knowledge about climateology, water or wind currents etc, and so I will not try to comment on that proposal in particular; but I think that in general, as a community we should make an effort to at least agree on a very rough sketch for the whole world’s climate zones.
Now that all continents are layed out, maybe some users on here with a little bit of background knowledge could point out to the rest of the community what the major ocean currents would look like (assuming this planet has the same orbital properties etc like earth I suppose); then, at least the taller mountain chains would need to be established, even in territories that haven’t been claimed yet. For that process the tectonic plates would need to be agreed on, but I think that would be managable as well.
Then, after looking at only the most major wind and ocean patterns, we could create a general overview map for approximate climate zones; of course only differentiating between very distinct zones, such as tropical, sub-tropical, mild, arctic etc…
Surely, some countries will end up in environments that are not actually that well suited for their culture and history (for example, I originally visualised Kojo as a much more central european-like country climate wise, but now I’m trying to think of it as almost mediterranean). But then we could try to either explain some weather anomalies by introducing some new geological features such as a new mountain chain, or at least a mid-way could be found between the geographically accurate and the previously envisioned climate. At the very least, new mappers who start their country would be able to properly choose a territory suited for their purposes, and we could avoid these small irregularities in the future.
Should we set up a talk page on the wiki for this process, or does there maybe already exist such a platform? Or would you guys/garls rather leave it open to any mapper to decide on their country’s climate, and then deal with discordances locally?
Comment from Yuanls on 26 December 2015 at 00:28
@Leowezy I recall setting a wiki talk page up about geology and geological history sometime in the past, but I’ve forgotten its location as no one commented on it. I can set up an official wiki page but I need to know the name of the OGF planet. Is it called Earth or something else? If we did, the geology of Commonia would be immensely difficult to explain, for obvious reasons. There’s also the problem of space. As far as I know, most people here prefer mapping at a low altitude, temperate climate for western-style cities. Putting geographical limitations such as mountains and deserts would make the world more realistic, but also restrict what people want to do. It also causes chaos with existing territories. This draws parallels with the world history here, in a way. To conclude, I’m not really sure what to do, so it’s better to wait for more opinions here before acting.
Comment from Luciano on 26 December 2015 at 02:30
The name of the planet has been discussed here:
http://opengeofiction.net/wiki/index.php/Talk:The_Name_of_this_Planet
Some world climate is discussed here:
http://opengeofiction.net/wiki/index.php/Talk:World_climate
This includes links to isleño’s excellent climate map (for old continents):
http://i.imgur.com/cGhMUQJ.jpg
There is a proposed “ocean circulation” map here (made before the new Western Hemisphere continents existed):
http://opengeofiction.net/wiki/index.php/Ocean_Circulation
I used this map to imagine a kind of “southern hemisphere gulf stream” (current #15 in that map) which I called the Harda Current, to explain why my country Mahhal has a liveable climate despite it’s antarctic latitude.
Comment from EMKLI on 26 December 2015 at 09:32
Very interesting input! Now, I guess, we should rework the planet’s climatology and place it somehow more prominent to the wiki when we’re finished. The same is for things like time zones, which was already done for the “old world”.
Comment from Leowezy on 26 December 2015 at 10:53
Wow, I didn’t realise we already had such an awesesome climate map for the planet! Thanks Luciano. I agree with EMKLI that we should place these resources in a more prominent spot, and maybe we should make it a “rule” for new users to have look on that map before choosing a new territory? Definetly would’ve helped me ;D
Comment from anakes on 27 December 2015 at 08:21
I find interesting what the weather concerns.
I favor a climate is created and updated map and somehow something similiar to the fact that you can find countries and cities designed as American or European cities in equatorial latitudes is just crazy and that we find the latidudes problems in natural geography.
I think that even though they are some countries, these should and could be modified with some rigor to the climate or future cities and urban lines are consistent, and that those seeking a territory known and are aware of the natural geography of the area to choose
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 28 December 2015 at 01:10
Well, @anakes, as for climate and geography in the natural mountains-type sense, I agree with you, but as for urban geography (street style, motorways, etc) I don’t think it is altogether “crazy” to have an American style city near the equator if an effort has been made to make the climate and physical geography make sense with it’s region. Freedemia is very American style in its urban design. Before I realized it was on the equator I thought it was more like a temperate climate like North Carolina. At one point I had even had a glacier. :P But Once I found out it was on the Equator, I fixed the culture and physical geography to match. But the cities looking “American” wasn’t really an issue, as the urban area was more flatlands and the geography was cohesive with my neighboring countries and the region, and it came out fine in my opinion. Perhaps you meant climate wise only, and in that case I totally agree. But I feel like the climate is the issue, not the architectural or urban-planning design of the cities, unless they do not match the natural surroundings. Not trying to argue though. Just a point.
Comment from anakes on 28 December 2015 at 03:10
Good point. my mistake xD With the design of an American city near the Ecuador is not wrong, forget that there are examples like Miami, San Juan and Mexico City. However, the type hehco central European cities if the conditions somewhat inaccurate. But there are several cases and that European urbanism if emplemento in countries of Ecuador as Kinhasa, Singapore or Lagos.
The physical geography if that must change in several countries and instruct current new colleagues that climate is dodne are located and what are the conditions. (To avoid having more or vineyards glaciers in tropical type again)
Comment from isleño on 30 December 2015 at 09:37
The “Gulf Stream” definitely makes sense to me. I assumed something like it when creating the proposed map Luciano linked to.
For the new continents, there will likely be an “official” climate map, so that new users can choose territories that match their desired climate. Ideally I’d like to see such an “official” map extended to the open territories of the old continents as well, with every effort made to accommodate — as much as realistically possible — those users who have different ideas for their own countries. (And of course people are also free to privately imagine whatever they like, haha.) :-) But I don’t think any decisions have been finalized on that issue yet.