Well, I've been following the production of this map from when it first started out, and I must say I am pretty impressed, especially by the visuals.
I think going with the flags like a number of other people suggested was an interesting and unique way to go. I like it.
The color scheme is also very pleasing to the eye. The colors don't stand out too much and strain my eye...I like that!
And I think the lakes being playable will make this map very interesting, somewhat similar to Alexander the Great's Empire map, but as the lakes are a central figure, I think they will play much more of a strategic role for everyone than the seas in that map.
And I recall you mentioning a long while back ago in the post that eventually you'd fix up the names and align them, or at least I think I recall reading that
Hm, I'm jumping around, but the way the Title is currently, looks a little odd. It hink it may be the graphics...it feels a little out of place and pasted on almost like. The rest of the map blends nicely together, but I don't get that same meshing feel. The same may be true of the Mini-map also.
And the non-gameboard water also looks a little odd when comparing it to the lakes, but that may not be a bad thing, it just caught my eye.
Something to consider, perhaps making the 'hold' descriptions a little more noticeable. How? I am not sure, maybe the use of some colors could do that. Maybe a blue on the 'lake' words...I don't know. Just a small idea.
Hm and lastly, the compass also looks and feels a little odd to me. I'm not sure why, I can't quite put my finger on it...Ah oh well!
Keep up the good work!
--Andy