I noticed that this map doesn't have any reviews, so let me be the first. This is a review of just the South America side of the map, based on one 5-player play.

South America is the type of Age of Steam map that I like. Its based on real-world geography, with only slight rule changes to customize the game play for the map.

Map:
The map is the approx the middle third of South America, from La Paz in the North to Bahia Blanca in the South. Most of the map is wide open, with only the mighty Amazon river as terrain. Along the West side, the towering Andes block the path of the rail networks.

Rule Changes:
Much like London being red on the S. England part of the Age of Steam Expansion #1 - England & Ireland map, Buenos Aries is the only blue city on the map, and the blue New City is removed from the game. BA gets a new cube in every production step, as well as being a numbered city that may recieve goods based on the dice roll. Obviously no blue cubes can be placed on BA, instead being set aside an a new cube drawn in its place.

Mountains (the Andes) cost $6 to build through

Turn Order is removed and in its place is the El Presidente action. When a good is delivered to, from, or through BA the player must pay $1 to El Presidente. If they don't have $1 they move back 1 on the income track and the $1 is claimed from the bank. If no player has taken the El Presidente action the $1 must still be paid to the bank. The player who took the El Presidente action does not have to pay the $1 to himself or the bank.

Impressions:
I liked this map. The board was open enough to fit 5 players without getting too tight too early. I would not attempt 6 on this map as the mountains cause enough bunching early that it would get too crowded too fast. It plays much like the S. England map, and is a good subtitute for that hard to find map. I'd play again, especially if I wanted a less brain-burning map without wanting to go back to the Rust Belt map.