Finding the best map in (and its Venice expansion) depends on whether you want a smooth start or a massive "megacity" challenge. Because the game uses a seed-based generator, you can enter specific numbers to get predictable island layouts. Top Map Seeds
For the best results, use these seeds with Large World and Large Islands settings.
Seed 18030 (Beginner Friendly): This is one of the most popular starter maps. The main Western (Occidental) island is huge and sits right next to a fertile Eastern (Oriental) island, making early spice and quartz trade exceptionally easy.
Seed 39950 (Resource Rich): Features a massive central island with dual stone and iron deposits, plus six river spots for construction. It also places Brother Hilarius nearby, which is helpful for early tool purchases.
Seed 12421 (The "Huge" Map): Frequently recommended for players seeking the maximum possible building area. It features massive islands that allow for sprawling urban layouts without running into coastline issues early on.
Seed 975 (Corners Type): Widely considered the best seed for "record-breaking" population runs, often used by expert players trying to reach millions of citizens.
Seed 61376 (Industrial Powerhouse): Known for having an incredible 35 brine deposits across the map, making it perfect for massive meat and fur production needed for endgame Nobleman populations. Essential Map Setup Tips
When generating your own maps, use these settings to ensure a high-quality experience:
Island Size is Critical: Always set island size to Large if you plan on building monuments like the Imperial Cathedral or the Sultan's Mosque. Small islands will physically restrict your ability to fit these massive footprints alongside housing.
Fertility Over Seed: For a more relaxed game, don't just hunt for seeds; set Fertility and Mineral Deposits to "Easy" or "Plentiful". This ensures every large island has the basic resources (Cider, Hemp, Stone) you need to progress.
River Slots: Look for maps where the main Occidental island has at least 3-4 river slots. Rivers are required for paper mills and tanneries, which are vital for reaching the Patrician and Nobleman tiers.
Neutral Powers: Check if your seed includes useful NPCs like Brother Hilarius or Al Zahir. Having a trading partner nearby for tools and wood can save you from bankruptcy in the first hour of play. Scenario: General | Anno 1404 Wiki | Fandom
Finding the "best" map in often comes down to , which determine island placement, size, and resources
. Since maps are procedurally generated based on these numbers, using a known "good" seed is the best way to ensure a smooth start or a massive late-game build. Top Map Seeds for Success anno 1404 best maps
These seeds are highly recommended by the community for their island distribution and resource availability: Seed 18030 : A fantastic starting map for Continuous Game mode.
: Your main Occidental island is right next to an Oriental island that provides Spices, Dates, Quartz, and Clay. Main Island Resources
: Features a river, 2x Brine, 2x Stone, 2x Iron, and 2x Bear's Caves, with fertilities for Hemp and Cider. Seed 59766 (Huge Map/Large Islands) : Ideal for massive expansion.
: Features two giant islands located very close to Kingsport and Al-Zahir's port. Oriental Island
: Has fertilities for Dates, Spices, and Silk, plus 2x Copper and 1x Iron. Seed 70495
: A long-time favourite for players seeking consistent layouts.
: A reliable map used by veteran players for hundreds of hours to perfect specific city and population layouts. Anno 1404 Wiki Essential Guide: How to Pick the "Perfect" Island
When you aren't using a specific seed, a "good" map is defined by the quality of your first few islands. Anno 1404 Wiki The Perfect Starter (Occidental)
: Look for a large, flat island without major lakes or wasted land. It
have Cider and Hemp fertilities and at least two Stone and Iron Ore deposits. Strategic Positioning
: Choose an island centrally located to reduce ship travel time. Settle on the southern end
of your first island, as early deliveries often arrive from the south. River Sites : Ensure your first or second island has a river with 4 to 5 river sites
. This is critical for later production of Books, Leather Jerkins, and Fur Coats. Oriental Expansion Finding the best map in (and its Venice
: Quickly locate a large Oriental island with Spices and Dates. Ideally, it should also have Clay and large green areas for farming. Anno 1404 Wiki Quick Strategic Tips Map Revelation
: Many players recommend playing with the "map hidden" setting turned
. This reduces "dumb luck" and prevents AI from snagging the best islands before you find them.
: Early in the game, place Market Places across your entire island to prevent AI opponents from settling on your territory. Efficiency
: Set up a "hub and spoke" trade network. Use production islands (hubs) to centralise goods like Bread and Beer, then use small, cheap ships (spokes) to distribute them to your main city. to maximise the space on these islands? Continuous Game | Anno 1404 Wiki | Fandom
This map is famous for its abundance of the rarest Northern fertility: Wine. Your starting island has iron plus wine, which normally requires a separate colony.
| Your Goal | Best Seed | Map Type | Size | |-----------|-----------|----------|------| | Relaxed building | 28278 | Archipelago | Large | | Biggest main island | 23863 | Archipelago | Large | | War & defense | 6911 | Archipelago | Large | | Scenic / aesthetics | 77777 | Atoll | Large | | Quick trading | 12345 | Archipelago | Medium |
Pro tip: When starting a Continuous Game, set Island Size to Large, Island Difficulty to Easy (more fertilities per island), and Traders to Active for the most enjoyable sandbox experience.
Here’s a helpful overview of the best maps in Anno 1404 (also known as Dawn of Discovery), categorized by playstyle and goals.
Ultimately, the Anno 1404 best maps are the ones that align with your current goal. If you want a relaxing beauty-building session, download Eden Eternal. If you want a competitive nail-biter against the computer, fire up Seed 1337 on Continental. If you want to master trade logistics, Seed 42069 on Archipelago is your holy grail.
Don't be afraid to restart. The first hour of Anno 1404 is cheap compared to the 50 hours you will spend fixing a bad map. Use the checklist above, experiment with the seeds provided, and soon you will be able to spot a perfect map within 30 seconds of the loading screen.
Now set sail, Lord—your ideal island chain is waiting.
Further Reading:
Did we miss your favorite map seed? Share the number in the comments below!
Finding the best maps in (and its Venice expansion) often depends on whether you are looking for maximum building space to achieve a massive population or specific resources to simplify early-game production. In a Continuous Game, the seed you choose, combined with your world settings, determines the layout of islands, fertilities, and mineral deposits. Top Map Seeds for Anno 1404
Experienced players often reuse specific seeds that are known for having "huge" maps and the largest possible islands.
Seed 59766 (Huge World, Large Islands): Frequently cited as a top-tier choice, this map features two massive islands located conveniently near Kingsport and Al-Zahir's port. The primary Oriental island includes multiple copper and iron deposits, along with essential fertilities like Dates, Spices, and Silk.
Seed 39950 (Venice Expansion): This seed is known for having its largest island situated near the center of the map. It provides a wealth of mineral resources (Coal, Iron, Brine) and includes six river spots for construction, making it ideal for a heavily industrialized capital.
Seed 18030 (Medium Islands): Highly recommended for beginners, this map places an Oriental island directly next to your starting Occidental island. This proximity drastically reduces early-game travel time for critical resources like Spices and Quartz.
Seed 12421: A community favorite for those seeking a "huge" map experience with maximized island sizes.
Seed 7359 (Island Arch Map Type): This seed features a large riverless island just south of the starting point, which is excellent for building space since rivers can often obstruct large city layouts. Key Settings for the "Best" Experience
To ensure a seed produces its best possible version, you should adjust the world settings before starting:
World & Island Size: Always select "Huge" world size and "Large" island size if your goal is a high-population end-game.
Island Difficulty: Setting this to "Hard" often results in islands with fewer rivers, which actually provides more contiguous land for building large city centers.
Fertility and Minerals: Select "Plenty" to ensure that your main islands have the necessary natural resources to support complex production chains without constant expansion. Characteristics of a "Perfect" Island
When scouting a map for your main settlement, look for these traits: Why it’s great: You skip the entire early-game