I give you right on one thing, Isedan - and that this idea is probably prematurely suggested.
Frankly, we dont know anything yet, even about the most basic Civ-3 design specs. There have been suggestions about hexagon-tiles, SMAC-style maps and whatnot. God knows what map-ideas the Firaxis-team finally decides to implement.
Lets at least wait for that basic preview on
www.firaxis.com/civ3 that Firaxis Dan Magaha promised would roll out "real soon now".
After that i am gonna send them my suggestion. Try to live with it
.
By the way: Is there anyone here who knows if there have been suggestions about additional terrain-types in Civ-3 (not special recourses - just new terrain-types)?