StorylineRound 1: ItalyWelcome to the Amazing Race: Europe. This season, 24 teams will embark on a journey that will take them through the sites and history that the European continent has to offer. Each leg of the race has its own tricks and hardships that you all will have to overcome. Although your immediate opponents may change every leg, your overall goal is still the same: finish ahead of the others for only one team may be crowned the champions of Amazing Race: Europe.
Italy is located in southern Europe and comprises the long, boot-shaped Italian Peninsula and a number of islands including Sicily and Sardinia. Including islands, Italy has a coastline of 7,600 km. The independent state of the Vatican City is within the Italian Peninsula, while Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. Italy is a mountainous country, with the Alps as the northern boundary and the Apennine Mountains forming the backbone of the peninsula. But in between the two lies a large plain in the valley of the Po, the largest river in Italy.
Italy has been the home of the Romans and later was the birthplace of the Renaissance movement that began in Tuscany and spread all over Europe. Italy's capital, Rome, was for centuries the center of Western civilization. Today, Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country. It is a founding member of what is now the European Union (having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957). In October of 2007, Italy officially reached more than 59.5 million persons. Italy currently has the 23rd largest population in the world.
The opening leg for this season will take place on the Italy map. Created by RjBeals, this map is regarded by many to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing maps the site has to offer. The blend of English and Italian languages, this map is easy to understand while still providing a glimpse into the Italian culture. Its classic-like gameplay makes it a simple map for beginners to pick up but for experienced players to enjoy. The capital cities provide a bonus to those players who find themselves scattered about the countryside. At the end of this leg, the three lowest finishers will be eliminated. Good luck.
Round 2: Ancient GreeceGreece is a country in southeastern Europe situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. The Aegean Sea lies to the east and south of mainland Greece, while the Ionian Sea lies to the west. The country consists of a large mainland; the Peloponnese, a peninsula connected to the southern tip of the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth; and around 3000 islands. Greece has 15000 kilometers (9300 miles) of coastline. 80% of Greece is mountainous, and the country is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe.
Greece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is heir to the heritages of ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule. Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama including both tragedy and comedy. Greece became the tenth member of the European Union on January 1, 1981 and ever since the nation has experienced a remarkable and sustained economic growth. The country adopted the Euro in 2001 and successfully organized the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the capital.
Round 1 ended in a lone, drawn out game that successfully gave [player]goggles paisano[/player] and [player]vex[/player] enough rounds to survive the tiebreaker. Round 2 promises to be just as exciting as the three finalists from
Amazing Race: USA will be joining this European Race. On Conquer Club, the Ancient Greece map is map that has both standard size and gameplay. Hopefully all of you will make it to the finish line before this map gets
revamped. I encourage everybody to take a quick pit-stop and lend your suggestions to the revamp or any other foundry project. Remember, the three teams with the lowest scores from this round will be eliminated. Good luck.
Round 3: Rail EuropeIn 1813 George Stephenson examined the first practical and successful steam locomotive, and, convinced that he could offer improvements, designed and built the Blücher in 1814. In Britain on September 27, 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway was completed. It was authorized to carry both passengers and freight. Passenger service, offered by contractors who placed coach bodies on flatcars, did not become permanent until 1833, and horse traction was commonly used for passenger haulage at first. Development of the railroad in France was somewhat independent of that in Britain. The first railroad in France, the Paris and St. Germain, was opened in 1837. The tracks covered eleven miles, and the performance of the locomotive was regarded as a triumph. There were certain consistencies, however, between the two countries. It was the transport of coal that frequently determined whether railroads were constructed and where they would run.
Today, European railroads boast they can “take you where you want to go.” European railroads travel through capital cities and forgotten towns. And in between, the countryside is breathtaking.
After another long round, we are finally moving on to round 3. On Conquer Club, Rail Europe is the second map in the Rail Series from [player]cairnswk[/player]. This is a standard map, but the layout and descriptions make it seem more complex than it really is. Unlike in Rail USA, the rails within the stations can not always attack each other. This design leads to “corner continents” that are actually within the middle of the map. This large map could bring the scores back together, but the lowest three scoring teams will again be dropped from the tournament.
Round 4: GermanyA region named Germania inhabited by several Germanic peoples has been known and documented before 100 AD. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire that lasted until 1806.In 1949, after World War II, Germany was divided into two separate states—East Germany and West Germany—along the lines of Allied occupation. The two states were reunified in 1990.
Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps in the south to the shores in the north. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany, traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe. Because of its central location, Germany shares borders with more European countries than any other country on the continent.
The highlights in a visit to Germany include numerous Gothic castles and the Bavarian Alps. Or visit the Black Forest region and pick up a Cuckoo clock. And a trip wouldn't be complete without stopping by a brewery, or two.
After a VERY long trip on the Rails, your next stop is in Germany. The Germany map is one of the oldest on the site, much like the country itself. It is a classic play map that I have played on many times in the past. Sorry for the long delay in getting to this round, but 3 more teams will again be eliminated at the end of Round 4. Good luck.
