
Progress. Suggest more physical features. I know already that I need to make Water the prettiest to make up for it's lack of resources.
We already talked about regionspecific resources. So let's go into more detail.
These regions would simply have a larger abundance of these ores under them.
Wind: Redstone
Earth: Iron/Lapis
Water: Diamonds
Fire: Gold/Emeralds
I figure Wind has a huge height advantage, and Ven would be in it, meaning redstone traps and devices. Earth has iron and lapis for the new enchanting system, and that evens them out with Water's diamond surplus. I would probably be leading the fire guild and I like gold armor and it's enchantability and emeralds buy a lot of things in 1.8. Coal can have large surpluses in the corner islands.
If anyone else wants to help with mapmaking, raise tool, flatten at certain elevations, smooth with a light mountain brush(I think most are by the bottom), all with the settings on 'except on water', or 'only on land'. Refrain from doing the natural wonders. Also, 3D viewer is helpful.