I had no idea the campaign map was so demanding on the system. I had assumed the number of provinces was limited just in order to keep the grand campaign a reasonable length. Although, I still don't really understand what it is that the computer is doing on the campaign map that requires so much resources.

I do like the multiple campaign maps idea; I seem to remember in one of the FAQS a question about how sailing ships from Europe to India will be handled, since Southern Africa won't be on the map. CA were rather coy about how they plan to do it, but I guess this would be one possibility.